Understanding the Symptoms of Depression and the Role of Serotonin

Depression is a chronic and serious mental disorder that occurs in millions of people worldwide. Caused by a low mood that prolongs for a long period and the lack of interest for things that used to bring joy, depression is a state that interferes with personal and professional performance. In this article, the signs of depression, and the theoretical connection between depression and serotonin, relevant to mood, are discussed.

Symptoms of Depression

Depression has symptoms that are unique to the depressed individual and they may not be exactly alike. Common symptoms include:

1. Persistent Sadness: Sadness is a normal human emotion but with depression, a person feels this form of low mood for most of the day, every day.

2. Loss of Interest: One of the main signs is the decrease or absence of feelings of pleasure while doing something that the person used to find enjoyable, be it work, various hobbies, or communication with friends or relatives.

3. Changes in Appetite or Weight: Depression tends to alter the eating habits of people and this leads to changes such as loss of weight or even gain.

4. Sleep Disturbances: People may experience insomnia or hypersomnia that is, they may have trouble sleeping or sleep too much.

5. Fatigue: fatigue: one can easily get tired and be always weak, even if he or she gets enough sleep.

6. Feelings of Guilt or Worthlessness: Coping with Depression states that it has been noted that in most depressed people there are either feelings of high levels of guilt or feelings of mere worthlessness and thus people with depression Blame themselves.

7. Difficulty Concentrating: Changes in concentration, decision-making abilities or memory can be observed in people with depression.

8. Physical Symptoms: This is a classic sign where some people may feel discomforts such as aches, pains or stomach upsets, but the doctor is unable to diagnose them.

9. Thoughts of Death or Suicide: Major depressive disorder has been found to cause thoughts of death or suicidal ideation thus people should seek help as soon as they have such thoughts.

What’s the Connection between Depression and Serotonin, Anyway?

Serotonin is a brain chemical that has been considered an essential element in charge of mood regulation, sleep, and appetite besides being a factor of well-being. Many studies posit that serotonin levels affect depression but the studies are not conclusive. Depression is not influenced solely by serotonin since it is involved but there are other factors present.

Is It Possibly True That Depression is Due to Low Serotonin?

In the serotonin hypothesis, it is believed that low serotonin levels might be one of the reasons for the development of depression. However, this hypothesis is just half the story and, therefore, should be considered as the theory only in part. Hence, even though depression is partly associated with low serotonin levels, it is a complex disease that cannot be explained by the reduction in serotonin levels alone. It is possible to say that scientists continue to investigate ways in which serotonin engages with other compounds and how these may influence emotions and conduct.

What are the Signs of Serotonin Syndrome?

Serotonin syndrome is a potentially life-threatening reaction resulting from toxic levels of serotonin in the brain which can usually be precipitated by interaction between drugs or toxicity of some of these drugs.

Symptoms of serotonin syndrome include:

• Agitation: Discontented or bored feeling, impatience, crankiness.

• Confusion: Confusion or encephalopathy or other changes in mental status.

• Rapid Heart Rate: Dyspnea or shortness of breath as per the ferret’s interpretation of the term, Giddiness, Headache, Sweating or excessive salivation, feelings of warmth, Nausea or vomiting, Diaphoresis or perspiring, Chest pain or discomfort and Increased heart rate or palpitations.

• High Blood Pressure: High blood pressure or hypertension.

• Dilated Pupils: Dilation of pupils.

• Muscle Rigidity: Sore muscles and or rigor mortis-like muscles.

• Tremors: Involuntary and excessive movement of arms, legs or trembling of the hands.

• Shivering: Sharp or rapid shaking, or perhaps excessive perspiring.

• Fever: Anemia.

Serotonin syndrome should be treated in the first instance as a medical emergency since it may rapidly worsen and be fatal.

Can Taking Too Many Antidepressants Be Fatal?

Medication like antidepressants should be taken strictly according to the doctor‘s prescription. Benzodiazepines can also make an overdose of antidepressants possible and deadly. Side effects, whose appearance may indicate an overdose, are excessive drowsiness, convulsions, cardiac arrhythmias or loss of consciousness. Overdose leading to death is possible for some brands of antidepressants, but it depends on the particular type of antidepressant, the quantity taken, and the characteristics of the patient. Antidepressant drugs are prescribed by the healthcare provider and hence when one is under the treatment it is important to seek medical advice before attempting to alter your doses in any manner.

Is it possible for a person to become ‘addicted’ to Serotonin?

The idea of ‘serotonin addiction’ is false. Indeed, serotonin strongly contributes to the regulation of mood but it is not a substance that can be addictive in the way alcohol and drugs are. However, it should be noted that cases when a person becomes dependent on drugs that have an impact on serotonin and noradrenaline levels like antidepressants are possible if a person stops taking them abruptly or if he is prescribed a reduced dosage. This dependency is not the same as addiction and is more to do with withdrawal and checking on the medication’s efficacy.

Is There an Anti-Depressant, Medication, or Drug That Decreases In The Production of Serotonin?
Some drugs and chemicals also act on serotonin and therefore reduce its level in the body. For example:

• Some Antidepressants: To realize the goals the general purpose of most antidepressants is to increase the levels of serotonin in the human body. The use of most antidepressants can therefore cause a decrease in serotonin levels in the body when one suddenly stops or reduces taking the drugs.

• Certain Recreational Drugs: Various recreational drugs like MDMA or commonly known as ecstasy change the serotonin level and it is known that its use alters serotonin function in the long run.

• Medications Affecting Serotonin Reuptake: Several of these drugs may affect the reuptake of serotonin, and hence alter serotonin concentrations.

People need to seek the doctor’s advice regarding the use of medications and substances to prevent harm to their serotonin levels and mental status.

Conclusion

Having learned the symptoms of depression and the part of serotonin in the treatment of this condition, it becomes easier to diagnose and treat the condition. Although the latest research shows that serotonin has similarities to depression, imbalances with serotonin are only a small part of the whole scenario. In this case, it is very important to use the multicomponent treatment, where the patient is provided by medical care, psychotherapy, and recommendations concerning lifestyle improvement to cope with the depression. One should never ignore or self-diagnose the serotonin issues or the depressive symptoms one may be going through and consulting a professional should be the next thing to do.