Defining Antidepressants in Today’s Society
Tasheen Ortiz
Bethune Cookman University

Antidepressants are used for the treatment of serious depressive disorders and other conditions such as anxiety, excessive compulsive disorders, and substance abuse and sleep anxiety with many more to follow. Antidepressants can be prescribed alone or with another medication, but only when prescribed by a doctor. The most common class of antidepressant’s are the (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors” )SSRIs, * “Experts say that SSRIs are not only very effective in treating depression; they also have fewer side-effects than the other types of antidepressants. SSRIs block the reuptake (absorption) of serotonin in the brain, thus helping the brain cells receive and send messages, which results in better and more stable moods. They are called "selective" because they seem to mainly affect serotonin. SSRIs and may have the following side effects: hypoglycemia, low sodium, nausea, rash, dry mouth, constipation, diarrhea, weight loss, sweating, tremor, sedation, sexual dysfunction, insomnia, headache, dizziness, anxiety, agitation, and abnormal thinking. Sertraline is used to treat depression, panic attacks, obsessive compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, social anxiety disorder (social phobia) * Zoloft is an antidepressant medication prescribed to individuals with sever depression, this medication may improve your mood, sleep, appetite, and energy level and may help restore your interest in daily living. It may decrease fear, anxiety, unwanted thoughts, and the number of panic attacks. It may also reduce the urge to perform repeated tasks (compulsions such as hand-washing, counting, and checking) that interfere with daily living. Sertraline is known as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). It works by helping to restore the balance of a