Antidepressants: History, Science, and Issues (Story of a Drug)

This accessible volume offers a holistic exploration of this diverse class of drugs, from medical, historical, cultural, and economic perspectives.

Depression is one of the most commonly reported mental disorders, and it affects millions of Americans. A wide variety of medications are used to treat depression, many of which have become household names―Zoloft, Prozac, and Paxil among them. Because these medications have the ability to alter how people think and feel, however, physicians must weigh a number of factors when prescribing them, especially to teens. Antidepressants: History, Science, and Issues, a part of Greenwood's Story of a Drug series, offers a robust exploration of antidepressant medications that covers the historical, ethical, medical, legal, and scientific dimensions of these drugs.

After an introductory case study of a person with depression and this individual's problems and successes with antidepressants, the book provides an overview of depression and its various symptoms as well as the causes, prevalence, and diagnosis of depression. Readers will gain an understanding of the neurotransmission and specific mechanisms behind the activity of antidepressant medications; the effects and applications of these drugs, plus their associated risks of misuse and abuse; and related policy and societal issues.

• Defines various forms of depression and explores the many types of medications used as antidepressants

• Clearly explains how different medications affect the brain and how these neurochemical changes can lessen feelings of depression

• Explores the history and evolution of antidepressant medications, as well as highlights current trends and speculates about future research directions

• Delves into issues and controversies related to depression and its treatment, including overprescription and abuse of antidepressants, alternative and complementary therapies, and the stigma associated with mental illness