Important brain pathways are made up of chains of brain cells that conduct signals from one to another by releasing neurochemicals (serotonin, norepinephrine, or dopamine). These chains of brain cells carry signals to the target areas of your brain that turn on and off your alertness, anger, anxiety, appetite, energy, irritability, sadness, sleep, thoughts, and the physical workings of your body. If cells in the chain are damaged by depression, then the pathway is interrupted, and the signal never arrives at its destination, causing a disturbance in your emotions, behavior, and body processes. Adding additional serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine to the gaps between the cells makes it easier for damaged cells to pass signals down the chain so that the pathway is not interrupted. All antidepressants add serotonin, norepinephrine, or dopamine to the gaps between brain cells.
- What part of the brain is responsible for depression?
- How many people are affected by clinical depression?
- What exactly do you mean when you talk about stress?
- Do you have to have the genes for depression in order to get depressed?
- What role does genetics play in depression?
- How does unipolar major depression start?
- Is major depression primarily physical or mental?
- Can’t anyone have these diagnostic criteria?
- Are there blood tests or brain scans that diagnose unipolar major depression?
- Why are so many physical symptoms in the definition of depression?
- My sadness seems reasonable and bearable how much sadness is normal?
- What is the single most important symptom of unipolar major depression?
- Is depression a fad diagnosis?
- Why can’t everyone diagnose their own depression?
- How is unipolar major depression diagnosed?
- Why are there so many different names for depression?
- All this information seems overwhelming what can I do to fight all these problems?
- How can I gauge the severity of my depression and understand how it changes over time?
- What should I do if I am feeling suicidal?
- It seems like the way I think is different now that I am depressed. Could this be true?
