Antidepressant and Antimanic Medications
Key points
- The latter half of the 20th century represented a period of exponential growth in our knowledge of mood disorders.
- Fifty years of clinical research have increased our understanding of the theoretical basis and pathophysiology of these illnesses and have refined our knowledge of brain function and the mechanism of action of antidepressant and antimanic medications.
- Millions of persons who have these devastating illnesses have already received the benefits of this research, and new treatments are being explored every day.
- In this chapter we provide an overview of the currently available medications for mood disorders, including known benefits, potential side effects, and proper usage.
Introduction
Pedro L. Delgado, M.D. Alan J. Gelenberg, M.D.
The latter half of the 20th century represented a period of exponential growth in our knowledge of mood disorders. Fifty years of clinical research have increased our understanding of the theoretical basis and pathophysiology of these illnesses and have refined our knowledge of brain function and the mechanism of action of antidepressant and antimanic medications. Millions of persons who have these devastating illnesses have already received the benefits of this research, and new treatments are being explored every day. In this chapter we provide an overview of the currently available medications for mood disorders, including known benefits, potential side effects, and proper usage.
Several key questions remain as the current focus of research. We do not yet fully understand the mechanism of action of antidepressant and antimanic agents, the reason for time lags in therapeutic effects, the reason some patients seem to selectively respond to certain medications and not others, and the reason some patients do not respond at all.
Antidepressant and Antimanic Medications Introduction Diagnostic Indications and Contraindications
Written and revised by
Andrey Nailor, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
health.am provides general information, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional about your own health.
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