Question

Marika's psychiatrist recently prescribed selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) to treat her depressive symptoms. What are the SSRIs designed to do?

Answer 1

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are prescription medications used to treat depressive symptoms. They work by blocking the reuptake or reabsorption of the neurotransmitter serotonin into the presynaptic neuron, resulting in increased levels of serotonin in the synaptic cleft. These medications are effective in treating depression and have milder side effects compared to other antidepressant classes.

Step-by-step explanation:

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are prescription medications used to treat depressive symptoms. They work by blocking the reuptake or reabsorption of the neurotransmitter serotonin into the presynaptic neuron, resulting in increased levels of serotonin in the synaptic cleft. This increase in serotonin helps to regulate mood and alleviate depressive symptoms.

For example, drugs like Prozac, Paxil, and Zoloft are commonly prescribed SSRIs. These medications are not instant solutions and may take several weeks to show improvement. They have been found to be effective in treating depression and have milder side effects compared to other antidepressant classes.