SSRI stands for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. This type of medication is one of the most commonly prescribed drugs for treating a variety of mental illnesses, primarily depression and anxiety.

How SSRIs Work

SSRIs are used to treat depression by increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that carries signals between brain nerve cells called neurons.

When a neuron is communicating to another neuron, it releases neurotransmitters in the gap that separates them, called the synapse. One neuron releases the neurotransmitters while the other absorbs them. This is how communication is made between every neuron in our brain.

SSRIs interfere with this process by preventing some of the serotonin that was released from being reabsorbed by the original neuron. This leaves more serotonin to remain in the synapse and gives the second neuron more time to absorb it.

Common SSRIs

There are a variety of SSRIs on the market. The first and most well know being Fluoxetine, which goes by the brand name Prozac, which was approved by the FDA in 1987.

Others include:

· Citalopram (Celexa)

· Escitalopram (Lexapro)

· Paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva)

· Sertraline (Zoloft)

Prevalence of Use of SSRIs

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has collected the following research on SSRI usage between 2015-2018:

· 13% of adults over 18 have used an SSRI in the last 30 days

· Usage was higher among women (18%) than men (8%)

· Usage increases with age with both sexes

o Women over 60 having the highest usage (24%)

· SSRIs are more commonly used by white adults than any other race

o White 17%

o Black 8%

o Hispanic 7%

o Asian 3%

· Usage was higher for adults with more formal education

o Some college 14%

o High School Degree 12%

o No High School Degree 11%

Side Effects of SSRIs

Though SSRIs are safe for most people, they do come with a variety of possible side effects:

· Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea

· Headache

· Drowsiness

· Dry mouth

· Insomnia

· Nervousness or agitation

· Dizziness

· Sexual problems – reduced sexual desire, difficulty reaching orgasm, difficulty obtaining or maintaining an erection

· Appetite change – leading to weight gain or loss

Suicide Risk:

SSRIs are known to worsen depressive symptoms in some patients. In particular children, teenagers and adults under 25. It is vitally important to monitor a person who is starting a new regiment of SSRIs or new dosage, in order to keep an eye on these possible side effects. Contact a doctor immediately is symptoms worsen.

Withdrawal Symptoms:

Although SSRIs are not addictive, they can produce a variety of withdrawal symptoms when stopping abruptly or missing several doses. The symptoms include:

· Feeling of uneasiness

· Nausea

· Dizziness

· Lethargy

· Flu-like symptoms

It is important to follow the guidance of your prescribing doctor whenever making changes to your dosage or stopping of SSRI usage. For your own safety do NOT make changes to your dosage alone.

Intended use for SSRIs

In most cases, SSRIs are recommended to be used for up to six months after you feel better, in order to prevent the depressive symptoms from returning when you begin to discontinue usage.

For those who have had depressive episodes in the past, a 2-year course may be recommend to prevent a recurrence of symptoms.

And in rare cases, some people with recurring symptoms are advised to take an SSRI indefinitely.

Getting to Best Results from SSRI Usage

A metanalysis (a study of studies) of 52 studies, published in the journal World Psychiatry in Feb 2014 has shown that combining an SSRI with talk therapy has the best outcome for the client than using an SSRI alone. The improvement was particularly significant for:

· Major depression

· Panic attacks/disorder

· Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)

· Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

An effective talk therapy to add to one’s SSRI usage would be the Emotional Freedom Technique, also known as tapping. EFT involves tapping on acupressure points on your own body in order to calm the amygdala, the fear center of the brain. The tapping allows for the Chi (emotional energy) to move more freely and bring a sense of relief and calm to the mind and body.

Tapping can be used safely with an SSRI to help reduce depression and anxiety that one is experiencing and to bring lasting relief. EFT can be used with an experienced mental health practitioner to alleviate the source of the depression and anxiety, thus preventing any discomfort from being experienced at all. The contributing cause of the depressive symptoms and anxiety comes from unresolved emotions and trauma that an individual is carrying with them.

If you are ready to live a life without depression and anxiety, feel free to take advantage of the free tapping session that I offer to see if EFT and I are a good fit for you.

Check in with Eric Almeida

The Unspoken Truth Behind SSRIs