What are SSRIs?
SSRI stands for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. These are drugs that prevent the reuptake of serotonin. Serotonin is an endogenous carrier substance, which is produced from the amino acid tryptophan, mainly in the central nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract.
Introduction
As a transmitter, serotonin mediates important functions in the body. A non-functioning serotonin metabolism has massive effects on health. Thus, mental illnesses such as anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders or eating disorders are associated with a serotonin dysfunction.
But also purely physical symptoms such as migraine, nausea and vomiting can be caused by a defective or missing production of serotonin. Drugs from the group of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are used when serotonin levels are too low. Neurons that produce serotonin consist of a pre-synapse (pre = before), a post-synapse (post = after) and an intermediate synaptic cleft.
The transmission of messenger substances at a synapse always follows the same principle. At the presynapse, tiny transport vesicles filled with the messenger substance release the corresponding substance. This substance is then located in the synaptic cleft and from there activates the post-synapse, allowing the signal to spread further.
The carrier substance is then taken up again from the synaptic cleft into the presynapse, and the process can take place again. However, if there is a deficiency of the carrier substance, for example a serotonin deficiency, there is not enough messenger substance in the gap and the transmission of the signal is interrupted. It is exactly at this point that SSRIs attack. In the case of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, as the name suggests, only the reuptake of serotonin is inhibited (selectivity).
When are SSRIs used?
SSRIs are primarily used to treat mental disorders. Depression is the top priority here, as this mental illness is based on a serotonin deficiency. In addition to the treatment of depression, SSRIs are also used for obsessive-compulsive disorders such as the compulsion to clean (pathological cleanliness), compulsion to keep order, compulsion to control or other psychological compulsions.
Anxiety disorders can also be treated with SSRI. SSRI is also used in the field of eating disorders. Bulimia is treated with SSRI, although drugs in the treatment of eating disorders are of little importance compared to other mental diseases.
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