Keywords
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays a role in several behaviours and physiological functions, including aggression, appetite, sleep, and mood regulation.
GABA is a neurotransmitter that controls excitement in the nervous system, serving as a natural anxiety reducer.
Noradrenaline is a neurotransmitter primarily located in brain regions that regulate the automatic nervous system.
Neurotransmitters are chemicals which permit the transmission of signals from one neuron to the next across synapses.
Drug Therapy
- Most commonly used therapy for anxiety disorders
- Assumes that there is a chemical imbalance in the brain
- Can be corrected by drugs, which either increase or decrease the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain
Antidepressants
SSRIs
- Low levels of serotonin are associated with depression and OCD
- Therefore drugs that increase serotonin are used to treat both depression and OCD
- Increase in serotonin regulates anxiety and mood
- Increase in serotonin therefore reduces anxiety in those with OCD
How do they work?
- Work to increase certain neurotransmitters in the brain by preventing the re-absorption of serotonin
- By preventing the re-absorption, SSRIs effective work to increase its levels in the synapse and thus continue to stimulate the post-synaptic neuron
Tricyclics
- Follows the same principle as SSRIs
- Block the reabsorption of both serotonin and noradrenaline
- Therefore prolong the activity of the neurotransmitters
- Have the advantage of targeting more than one neurotransmitter but have greater side effects
- Used as a second-line treatment for patients where SSRIs are not effective
Benzodiazepines
Also known as: “Valium”, “Xanax”, “Diazepam”
- Slow down the activity of the central nervous system by enhancing the activity of GABA
- Has a general relaxing effect on many neurons in the brain
- Locks on to receptors on neurons in the brain, opens a channel that increases the flow of chloride ions into the neuron
- Chloride ions make it harder to be stimulated by other neurotransmitters
- Slows down activity of the neuron and therefore makes the person feel more relaxed