Antidepressant facts for kids
Antidepressants are special medicines that help people who are feeling very sad or down. These feelings are sometimes called depression or other mood disorders. There are many kinds of antidepressants. Some common types are called SSRIs and SNRIs.
These medicines can also help with strong worries (anxiety disorders) or long-lasting body aches (chronic pain). Sometimes, they help people who are trying to stop unhealthy habits. It's important to know that medicines are not the only way to feel better. Talking to a therapist or other treatments can also help, sometimes even along with medicine.
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History of Antidepressants
For a long time, people have looked for ways to help with sad feelings. An old herb called St John's wort was used in the past to help with nerves and sadness. It was not used much in most countries for a while. But in Germany, special extracts from this herb were approved as medicine.
Scientists started studying St John's wort more in the 1970s and 1980s. By the 1990s, many people became interested in it again. Today, you can still find St John's wort as a supplement in many places.
How Antidepressants Work
Antidepressants work to make a person's mood better. Doctors think that when someone is depressed, certain chemicals in their brain are not working correctly. These chemicals are like messengers that help your brain send signals.
Antidepressants help to balance these brain chemicals. By doing this, they can help to lift the feelings of depression. It's a bit like tuning an instrument so it can play the right notes again.
Side Effects of Antidepressants
Like most medicines, antidepressants can have some side-effects. Some common ones include having a dry mouth or gaining some weight. People might also feel a bit dizzy or have headaches.
Sometimes, people might feel a bit less emotional than usual, which is called "emotional blunting." If someone stops taking antidepressants, they might feel some effects. This is called a "discontinuation syndrome" and can feel a bit like the sadness coming back. It's important to talk to a doctor before stopping any medicine.
See also
In Spanish: Antidepresivo para niños
