What Exactly Does An Ssri Do?

I’m writing this article from my experience as someone who has struggled with depression for a long time. I’ve tried various medications for depression but have been on Zoloft (sertraline) for many years.

It’s very hard to tell if depression medications are working for you; the effects are so slow and gradual taking months to see results. From my experience, SSRIs work in my battle against depression; they stop the anxiety and sadness from reaching the extreme levels I feel when not on any medications.

I wouldn’t say they are a cure-all, but they are integral to my mental health arsenal.

What Exactly Does An SSRI Do?

SSRIs, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, affect the neurotransmitters in the brain, specifically serotonin. The brain is so complicated that we cannot say that depression is caused by low serotonin levels; there are so many factors at play regarding mental health.

Although low serotonin cannot be pinned as the cause of depression, many people struggling with this mind-numbing disease tend to have lower-than-normal amounts of serotonin in their brains. SSRIs increase these serotonin levels, allowing people to have an amount of serotonin closer to those not suffering from depression.

SSRIs do not necessarily make the brain produce more serotonin; they make the serotonin already available more efficient. Normally, after the neurotransmitter has done its job of carrying messages around the brain, it is absorbed by the nerve cells. When on an SSRI, the medication stops this process, allowing more serotonin to remain and be used in the brain for further purposes.

Since low serotonin can lead to anxiety, depressed mood, impulsive behaviour, and insomnia, making the serotonin available to be used more by the brain can be a great help.

What Do SSRIs Treat?

SSRIs are one of the most commonly prescribed medications for treating depression. Most people in the world have heard of Zoloft and have some idea of what it is used for. However, your doctor can also prescribe SSRIs to treat various mental health issues.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can be used to treat generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorders, agoraphobia, bulimia, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

They can also be used in more creative ways to treat premature ejaculation (can confirm), fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and can even be used someone for pain management.

When Will I See Results?

The unfortunate thing about most anti-depressants, especially SSRIs, is that they take a long time to see results. Additionally, the results are unpredictable, and everybody reacts differently.

Sometimes, it feels like they aren’t doing anything because the results come so gradually that you barely notice. It is comparable to losing fat and looking in the mirror daily, not seeing any difference. However, if the medication works for you, you will wake up one day feeling better and forget what it was like to be stuck in your depression.

Generally, it takes two to four weeks to see any SSRI benefits. Full benefits should be active around the four to six-week mark. If you have been on anti-depressants for six weeks and have not noticed any benefits, you should consult your doctor to consider your options and choose the best course of action for treating your depression. You may need a different dose or an alternative course of treatment.

Doctors will usually prescribe SSRIs for six months to help people get out of the hole depression put them in. At this point, many people feel much better and have developed healthy habits to treat their depression naturally. They may be able to wean themselves off their medication (under doctor supervision) and deal with their depression through more natural means such as therapy, exercise, and mindfulness.

If you are like me, with treatment-resistant depression that never seems to ease up, your doctor may put you on SSRIs indefinitely. I have been taking Zoloft (sertraline) for years. Luckily, I experience zero side effects, and sertraline is relatively cheap, so there isn’t much of a problem with me staying on them long-term. However, this may not work for you if you experience negative side effects from the medications.

What Side Effects Can Be Expected From SSRIs?

I personally have not experienced many side effects when it comes to antidepressants, SSRIs especially. I have experienced a lower sex drive, but I am willing to pay that price to avoid panic attacks. A healthy sex drive is pointless anyways when you are too depressed to leave your house.

Generally, people who start taking SSRIs will feel some side effects, but they tend to be mild and decrease in intensity over time. These side effects include increased agitation/anxiety, flu-like symptoms, dizziness, blurred vision, low sex drive, and sexual dysfunction, especially in men.

Occasionally the juice may not be worth the squeeze; the side effects may cause more trouble than the depression relief you get from the medication. Be honest with your doctor about your experience so you can make the best-educated decision for you. Our brains are unique, so what works for one person may be terrible for somebody else. Mental health treatment contains a lot of trial and error, but never give up because there is something out there that is going to help you.

I have been on SSRIs for years and will more than likely continue to do so. Some of the most important things I found are being consistent with your medications, taking them with food, and avoiding drugs/alcohol as they can interact with your medications. SSRIs, combined with different forms of therapy, support groups, exercise, and spending time in nature, can greatly positively impact your quality of life.

If you or somebody you love suffers from depression and anxiety, please seek help. For all mental health problems, please consult your healthcare professional. You can also find the appropriate helplines to call here.