What are ssris and snris?

Ah, the world of antidepressants. A place where things can get a bit weird but always make you feel better in the end. Today we’re going to talk about two types of these drugs that have been getting quite a bit of attention in recent times – SSRIs and SNRIs.

Antidepressants: The Sneaky Little Buggers

Depression is no joke, people. And while some may claim that it’s all in your head, those struggling with it know just how real and debilitating it can be. That said, there are definitely certain stigmas surrounding mental illness that don’t exist for physical illnesses.

And part of this stigma comes from the idea that taking medication for depression or anxiety is something shameful or weak-willed.

But let me tell you right now – taking medication for mental health issues is not only incredibly common (about 1 in every 8 Americans at any given time!), but also brave as hell!

That being said, these sneaky little buggers still elicit some interesting questions from folks who aren’t familiar with them – like what they are exactly!

First Things First: What Does SSRI Stand For?

SSRI stands for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor – which I’m sure clears everything up instantly! In simple terms though, an SSRI is a type of drug used primarily as an antidepressant by increasing levels (DUH) of serotonin within your brain.

See? Wasn’t so hard to understand after all…right?

Okay But Then What Is Serotonin??

Serotonin – sounds fancy, doesn’t it? This neurotransmitter plays a critical role in our bodies– screwing up its balance can wreak havoc on our emotional stability

It’s basically responsible for regulating various functions such as mood regulation(Mood Swings!!), appetite control(Say tata to cravings!!), and social behavior. Basically, if you’re feeling happy or content, it’s likely because serotonin is flowing in all the right places.

So Where Do SSRIs Come In?

When someone suffers from depression or anxiety, their body isn’t producing enough serotonin naturally (ugh how annoying!) – hence they spiral down a black hole of negative thoughts that seems impossible to get out of.

That’s where SSRIs come to save the day – by inhibiting our brain cells (neurons) from taking up all available free levels of Serotonin present around them(Sorry guys No stealing allowed!), this increases the amount of Serotonin in circulation which ultimately enhances good mood leading patients walking on rainbow-filled streets 🙂

It might take some time since your brains are wired differently than others but let’s just say, sometimes these small cheating tricks work magically both for us and our brains!

What About SNRIs? Are They As Fun As They Sound?

Yep! SNRI stands for “serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor.” Norepinephrine(NE) getting added sounds like its as powerful as adding pepperoni on pizzas 🙂

Remember earlier when I said that Serotonin plays an important role in regulating our mood swings? Well here comes norepinephrine who is responsible for responding well under stressful situations — ‘fight-or-flight’ response!

So essentially what happens with SNRI medication is we inhibit “reuptake” not only for serotonin but also norepinephrine enabling elevated level clean circulations making us relaxed yet alert at challenging times – giving us a balance between calmness and alertness(Yay! We’re finally balanced)

What Exactly Do These Meds Treat?

SSRIs mainly treat:

• depression
• anxiety disorders
• obsessive-compulsive disorder(OCD)
• panic attacks

SNRIS majorly treat :

• Depression(mostly medically recommended for chronic pain along with depression).
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD)
• General anxiety disorders
• Chronic neuropathic Pain

So, Do They Actually Work??

This is a good question to ask and the answer is: THEY ACTUALLY DO(Yaaaay!!)

Evidence suggests that in most cases, pharmacological intervention with Antidepressants can bring on significant improvement compared to just placebo drugs alone(not so much luck for those lucky charms).

That being said, different antidepressant medications may work better than others depending on your body and brain chemistry. It’s not uncommon for people take SSRIs or SNRIS at first and later realize they need to switch things up as their symptoms persist(ugh isn’t it annoying?).

But overall, these types of medicine have proven extremely effective in helping manage mental health issues when taken under medical supervision & proper course of dosage(yep don’t go haywire!).

What Are The Side Effects?

If you’re considering taking any sort of medication – especially something that alters the chemicals in your brain – chances are you want a pretty extensive rundown on what side effects to be wary of.

And rightly so! Because every individual has its own unique brain🧠 chemistry which might perceive medication differently 😅😅.

With that being said, potential side effects will generally differ from one person to the next but here’s a breakdown by category:

Common Side Effects Of Both SSRIs And SNRis Include :

These include fun stuff like insomnia(come on who doesn’t love some extra hours), headaches (great!), dry mouth(tastes yuckie) ,nausea(Ughhh!! ) So no partying-hard while consuming them!

Sexual Disfunction :

Now let’s get real awkward because honestly nobody likes talking about this but yeah sexual problems become more reporting since Serotonin levels increase inhibiting orgasms and other sexual pleasures. So, sorry for all you love birds out there but regular check-ups with your medical professional during your medication course might help avoid some embarrassment

Long-Term Effects :

One of the long-term effects associated with these antidepressants includes creating changes in suicidal behavior or ideations – which is a friendly-reminder that Snris and SSRIs simply are not fit as solutions for everyone.

Who Should Avoid SSRI And SNRI Medication?

While most people able to handle them quite well- just like any drug – SSRIs/SNRIS come with certain qualifiers that make their use less than desirable if —

1) You have Bipolar Disorder (Antidepressants can trigger manic episodes)

2) Stomach ulcers 😬

3) History of seizures

4) Liver diseases such as hepatitis or cirrhosis can create further chaos🤢 (I know right? how frustrating)

Overall though, it’s important to remember these types of medications work best when taken under medical supervision so let’s leave this part on our health provider pros shall we!

The BottomLine –

SSRIs and SNRIs aren’t perfect by any means they do come along few side-effects albeit each person differently – but neither are depression or anxiety.

If prescribed appropriately by licensed professionals using properly monitored dosage levels though, these meds can be invaluable tools in treating mental illness allowing steady flow throughout ones life(I mean who wouldn’t want some extra serotonin flowing around).

So remember before reading through more internet junk always consult with a doctor regarding queries related to medication ☺️