Effects of Anti-Depressants on Health
                     EFFECTS OF ANTI-DEPRESSANTS 
ON HEALTH
INTRODUCTION
• Antidepressants are drugs that have 
been shown to be effective in treating 
depression in controlled clinical trials. 
• In general, they are used as adjuncts to 
other types of therapy for depression, 
such as brief psychotherapy, supportive 
therapy, and electroconvulsive therapy.
Source: www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/
SIDE EFFECTS 
• Like all medications, antidepressants can 
have side effects. Some of the most 
common include:
• Headache
• Agitation
• Nausea or vomiting
• Sleeplessness
• Drowsiness
• Reduced sex drive
• Dry mouth
• Weight gain
Source: www.webmd.com
HOW LONG DO THE 
SIDE EFFECTS LAST?
• Many side effects last only for a few days 
or weeks and then get better. Others may 
continue until you stop taking the 
medicine.
Source: www.webmd.com
ANTIDEPRESSANTS 
AND YOUR BRAIN
• Antidepressants change how 
neurotransmitters function, making more 
available so that when a message comes 
along, it can be properly delivered. 
Source: www.webmd.com
NEUROTRANSMITTE
RS
• Increasing the available 
neurotransmitters might have the desired 
effect of alleviating depression, lowering 
neuropathic pain, or improving one's 
thought process, but it can also have 
unwanted effects.
Source: www.webmd.com
BRAIN SHRINKAGE
• The prefrontal cortex and amygdala work 
together to control emotional responses 
and the recognition of emotional cues in 
other people. 
• This can potentially contribute to a 
reduction in empathy in individuals.
Source: www.healthline.com
BRAIN 
INFLAMMATION
• Because brain inflammation can cause 
the cells of the brain to die, this can lead 
to several complications, including:
• shrinkage 
• decreased function of 
neurotransmitters
• reduced ability of the brain to change 
as the person ages
Source: www.healthline.com
OXYGEN 
RESTRICTION
• Antidepressants has been linked to 
reduced oxygen in the body. 
• These changes may be due to changes in 
breathing caused by depression, but 
which comes first and causes the other 
remains unknown.
Source: www.healthline.com
STRUCTURAL AND CONNECTIVE 
CHANGES
• The effects of antidepressants on the 
brain also can result in structural and 
connective changes.
• These include:
• Reduced functionality of the 
hippocampus. 
Source: www.healthline.com
THANK YOU