Abstract
This paper describes the history of antidepressants in the U.S. and explains how they physiologically work with the body and affect mood and behavior. The paper then examines four studies conducted on antidepressants. The studies discussed examine the long and short term effects of antidepressant use, the affects of antidepressant use on insomnia, and the effects of antidepressant use in the Latino population.

From the Paper
"The world of Psychology is advancing more and more everyday with research and studies that can help provide loads of information on different aspects of the science. The four studies presented in this research paper can provide good information on the long-term treatment of depression with antidepressants, the short-term effectiveness of antidepressants when dealing with depression, antidepressant response to sleep deprivation and light therapy in bipolar depression and how Latino's living in the United States have are more likely to discontinue their antidepressant treatment. For future researchers of antidepressants and their effect on the brain, one suggestion would be to elongate the test periods for the different drugs or combination of drugs used to help cope with depression. As mentioned before in this text, the first antidepressant drug was found to have toxic side effects (Drugs and the Brain: Antidepressants, Trujillo, Keith A, Chinn, Andrea B). If researchers are not careful in their tests or rush their drug on to the market without testing it thoroughly, there could be very large consequences."

Tags:psychology, antidepressants, drugs, latino, psychology, mood, behavior

Abstract
In this article, the writer discusses the different pharmacologic groups of antidepressants used in the treatment of mood disorders, particularly major depressive disorder. The general use and classifications of antidepressants are discussed along with their indications, contraindications, precautions and adverse effects, drug interactions, possible nursing diagnosis, assessment and relevant patient and family education topics.

From the Paper
"Antidepressants are a group of psychoactive medications that alleviate the signs and symptoms of mood disorders with a pre-dominantly depressive mood. By this definition, mood disorders such as bipolar disorders are medically managed differently. An understanding of the major mechanisms of action of these drugs can be best understood through understanding the pathogenesis of mood disorders. The prevailing theory of mood disorders, particularly major depressive disorder, lies in the imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain, particularly the decrease in the monoamines serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine, although the former has ..."

Tags:mood, disorders, antidepressants

Abstract
This paper looks at the mode of action of tricyclic antidepressants (TCA)s, the mechanism of action of MAOIs (reversible and irrevesible), the lag phase for SSRI action, and the mechanism of action of dual action SE/NE antidepressants.

From the Paper
"TCAs work by inhibiting the reuptake of norepinephrine dopamine and hydroxy tryptamine (HT) and increase the available neurotransmitter in the synapse. (Kelly Kimball) This stabilizes the postsynaptic receptors. They may also block other receptors such as the muscarinic adrenergic and histaminic receptors. The TCAs bind to HT and noradrenaline reuptake transporters preventing the reuptake of these monoamines from the synaptic cleft and their subsequent degradation. Although the precise mechanism of action is not known, evidence suggests that the secondary amine TCAs such as nortriptyline..."

Tags:SSRIs, TCAs, MAOIs Antidepressants

Abstract
The number of suicides over the past 20 years, in the United States, has exceeded the number of deaths from acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The paper shows that, recently, concern has been expressed regarding the connection between the use of antidepressant drugs and suicide. Over the last two years, thanks to pressure from the public, politicians and regulatory agencies, pharmaceutical companies have released internal data regarding popular antidepressant drugs, used to treat children and adolescents, showing that not only are they not as effective as some had hoped, but they also may be quite dangerous. The paper shows that drugs such as Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Lexapro, Wellbutrin, and a few others have critics worried that their usage may cause suicidal impulses. This dangerous link may compound the possibility of suicide for individuals already at a high risk, due to their depression.

Paper Outline:
Introduction
Antidepressant Use and Effectiveness
Antidepressants and Suicide in Children and Adolescents
Conclusion
References

From the Paper
"By March 2004, the FDA announced a request to manufacturers of ten of the leading antidepressant drugs to strengthen their "Warnings" section on their packaging inserts. They asked manufacturers "to encourage close observation for worsening depression or the emergence of suicidal thinking and behavior" ("Questions and answers", 2004), for both adults and children. The FDA furthermore noted the possibility of discontinuing medication for patients whose depression worsened or who developed suicidal impulses."

Tags:panic, placebo, health, FDA, depression

Abstract
The paper discusses antidepressants, a group of psychoactive medications that alleviate the signs and symptoms of mood disorders. The paper examines the prevailing theory of mood disorders and the psychopharmacologic effectiveness of anti-depressants. The paper looks at precautions and side effects in patients taking antidepressants and discusses the assessment of clinical progress.

From the Paper
"Antidepressants are a group of psychoactive medications that alleviate the signs and symptoms of mood disorders with a pre-dominantly depressive mood. By this definition, mood disorders such as bipolar disorders are medically managed differently. An understanding of the major mechanisms of action of these drugs can be best understood through understanding the pathogenesis of mood disorders. The prevailing theory of mood disorders, particularly major depressive disorder, lies in the imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain, particularly the decrease in the monoamines serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine, although the former has been the target of most psychopharmacotherapies."

Tags:brain, neurotransmitters, serotinin, assessment, precautions

Abstract
Since the advent of antidepressant medications such as Prozac in the 1990s, there has been great debate over the safety and effectiveness of such prescription drugs. These prescription medications are used to treat depression in both adults and children in great numbers (Cheung, Emslie, & Mayes, 2006). The topic of Prozac and other antidepressants is extremely relevant since many believe that such medications are not effective for normal human sadness and depression, while others have indicated there are both benefits and harm from use. In addition, reports have indicted that antidepressants may increase suicide rates in children and adolescents, which research does not appear to support.

From the Paper
Running Head: ANTIDEPRESSANTS Are Prozac and Similar Antidepressants Safe and Effective? Since the advent of antidepressant medications such as Prozac in the 1990s, there has been great debate over the safety and effectiveness of such prescription drugs. These prescription medications are used to treat depression in both adults and children in great numbers (Cheung, Emslie, & Mayes, 2006). The topic of Prozac and other antidepressants is extremely relevant since many believe that such medications are not effective for normal human sadness and depression, while others have indicated there are both benefits and harm from use. In addition, reports have indicted that

Tags:prozac, antidepressants, depression

Abstract
This study brings together the histories of depression, antidepressant treatment of depression, and antidepressant discontinuation syndrome. These individual histories are combined to magnify a diagnostic and treatment situation that requires better management. In addition the literature is reviewed and the problems facing practitioners today are summarized. The paper concludes by proposing a methodology of establishing a singular and cohesive timeline so that recurrence of depression is prevented, hospital stays are decreased and higher levels of functional recovery can be achieved. This paper contains several tables.

Table of Contents
Abstract
Background of the Study
Statement of the Problem
Definition of Terms
Limitations of the Study
Theoretical Framework
Literature Review
Etiology
Secondary Depression
Antidepressant Discontinuation Syndrome
Prevalence and Risk
Prevalence of Secondary Depression
Risk Factors of Secondary Depression
Prevalence of Antidepressant Discontinuation Syndrome
Risk Factors of Antidepressant Discontinuation Syndrome
Diagnosis and Methods of Assessment
Diagnosis of Secondary Depression
Methods of Assessment of Secondary Depression
Diagnosis of Antidepressant Discontinuation Syndrome
Methods of Assessment of Antidepressant Discontinuation Syndrome
Treatment and Management
Secondary Depression
Antidepressant Discontinuation Syndrome
The Singular and Cohesive Timeline
Discussion and Conclusion
List of Tables
Table 1 - Causes of Secondary Depression
Table 2 - Matrix of Etiologies and Treatment of Depression
Table 3 - Differential Diagnosis for: Mood Disorder Due to
General Medical Condition 293.83
Table 4 - Diagnostic Criteria of Antidepressant Discontinuation Syndrome
Table 5 - Treatment Earmarks for Secondary Depression
Table 6 - Suggested Tapering Rates According to Shelton,
Table 7 - Treatment Earmarks for Secondary Depression and Antidepressant Discontinuation Syndrome

From the Paper
"Diagnosis of secondary depression in neurological patients has only recently become a major issue among rehabilitation practitioners. Unfortunately, it has historically been a struggle for mental illness to be treated as effectively as physical illness. Practitioners should be better equipped to help achieve maximum levels of postmorbid biopsychosocial functioning during the recovery process. Managing depression and related antidepressant discontinuation syndrome is an aspect of function recovery that needs closer scrutiny. The zeitgeist of the medical practitioner dealing with these issues needs to change from one of overcoming individual occurrences to one of overcoming a full progression timeline."

Tags:mental illness, biopsychosocial postmorbid functioning, function recovery, full progression timeline, neurology

Abstract
This research project focuses on providing an explanation of the problems associated with metabolic syndrome as well as the potential link it may have to antidepressant medication. The paper not only attempts to show the seriousness of this problem, but also attempts to come up with ideas that will help to show how this problem can be reduced in size. The paper relates that the best way to accomplish this is to first analyze the problem in question to determine just how serious it actually is, and then use that seriousness as a wake-up call for those that have been looking the other way and avoiding dealing with the issue. There are many of these individuals, and it is time that this is changed.

Outline:
Introduction
Problem Statement
Literature Review
Research Methodology
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The issue of metabolic syndrome is one that has been misunderstood for many years, because people did not realize that the problems that were associated with it were tied together as one syndrome. They simply thought that there were individual problems that people experienced, and sometimes they had more than one of these individual problems. Now that this syndrome has become more well-known, however, there are individuals that study it and discuss how significant it is, and there are others that see it as some kind of made-up problem that is really not important enough to focus on. Both of these are valid points of view for people who research the issue but, in recent years, it has generally been accepted that metabolic syndrome does exist, and that the study of it is important. Unlike standard medical problems, such as singular diseases that affect the body, metabolic syndrome is not something that can be 'cured,' as it is understood in the traditional sense."

Tags:metabolic, syndrome, obesity, eating, disorder

Abstract
This paper contends that, based on the study of different kinds of depression and the symptoms of each, prescription medication is not needed to treat these symptoms because there are so many other alternative therapy methods. The paper relates that alternative medicine consists of herbal treatments, cognitive therapy, psychotherapy, support groups, use of dietary supplements, electroconvulsive therapy, exercise, phototherapy, aromatherapy, touch therapy, talk therapy, acupuncture treatments, and enjoying fun or new activities on a daily basis. It then discusses that many of these therapy methods are inexpensive in comparison to prescriptions and that the advantages of alternative medicine far outweigh the advantages of antidepressants for treatment of depression.

From the Paper
"The closest thing to prescription medication, without the harmful side-effects, is herbal medicine. One very popular herbal treatment is known as St. John's Wort. This herb contains the same MAO inhibitors that are used in antidepressants, hereby having the same general effects that increase the serotonin levels in the brain (Depression.com Internet). Herbs are a lot less expensive than antidepressants as well. St. John's Wort costs, on average, about one dollar a day. This is opposed to the eight dollars that would be spent on an antidepressant drug. In Germany, where St. John's Wort outsells all other antidepressants combined, a study shows that it is just as effective as an antidepressant for treating mild to moderate depression in 50-80% of the patients involved in the study (Lesie 1A). Another common herb being used is called Gingko, which improves blood flow to the brain. It can be useful for strokes and memory loss that sometimes go hand in hand with depression. "

Tags:psychotherapy, psychotic, aromatherapy, support, groups

Abstract
The paper discusses the mood disorder of clinical depression and its most common manifestations. The paper relates that although clinical depression is most common in adults, it can also manifest itself in children and teenagers. The paper describes the medications used to treat depression that include various types of antidepressants, substances known as atypical antidepressants, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and finally, forms of psychotherapies.

From the Paper
"Medically speaking, the mood disorder known as depression is a mental disturbance characterized by feelings of sadness, despair and discouragement, resulting from and normally proportionate to some type of personal loss or tragedy. This level of depression is quite common, due to humans sharing a wide range of emotional responses to various events and/or situations. For example, some people who experience mild depression may exhibit it by being sad, discouraged or miserable, depending on the situation at hand (Williams, 2003, p. 78)."

Tags:antidepressants, electroconvulsive, therapy, psychotherapies