PSYC 1204 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Monoamine Oxidase, Tricyclic Antidepressant, Orthostatic Hypotension
6 Apr 2016
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Document Summary
Psychopharmacotherapy - taking medications that are known to in uence neurological processes to help reduce mental health problems. Prescription medications that can in uence brain processes by crossing the blood-brain barrier. Have their effects by in uencing neurotransmitter levels in the brain"s synapses. These are for treating the symptoms of major depression. Typically act on increasing the amount of these three neurotransmitters in neural synapse. Inhibits the enzyme monoamine oxidase, which breaks down extra serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine in synapses. These drugs block the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine. Come with a number of unpleasant side effects. These drugs prevent reuptake of serotonin in the brain"s synapses. Claims that ssri"s will make people happy amounts to overselling what antidepressant medications actually do. With medications, there is always a risk that the pro t motive is being prioritized over what is best for a person"s mental and physical health.
