Antidepressant Drugs and Alternatives

The most commonly prescribed antidepressant drugs include Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Celexa and Lexapro, which is the newest member of the group. These medications belong to a family of medications known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

SSRIs work by affecting the amount of serotonin that is available by blocking its reabsorption during transmission from one nerve cell in the brain to another. The less serotonin that is reabsorbed, the more that is available to the receiving nerve cell. It is believed that this may help message transmission return to normal, thus relieving the depression.

Common side effects shared by Prozac, Paxil, Celexa and Lexapro include nausea, insomnia, sweating and sexual difficulties.  Learn more...

Attitude Adjustment uses natural reuptake inhibitors that work in much the same way, but without the side effects that occur with prescription antidepressants.  Learn more about how Attitude Adjustment works.