Many people diagnose a depressive state on their own. A more serious pathology can only be established by a doctor. He also prescribes antidepressants. The main freelance neurologist of the Ministry of Health Rinat Bogdanov told the aif.ru portal how they work.
The emotional background of a person is controlled by the limbic system of the brain. For it to function normally, the hormone serotonin is needed. When it is deficient, the person becomes depressed.
Antidepressants correct this problem. They act on three types of neuromethylators. Medicines increase their quantity and form the necessary connection between them.
“Normally, under the influence of an electrical signal, a neurotransmitter is released into the synaptic cleft, affects the end of another neuron, and the excess is absorbed with the help of an enzyme pump back to the end of the first neuron, thereby preserving the neurotransmitter, and the previous neuron does not need to synthesize it again. Therefore, the first mechanism of action of antidepressants is blockade of monoamine reuptake,”says the neurologist.
According to this principle, the most serious drugs work, which are taken only under the supervision of a doctor and in a hospital setting.
Reuptake inhibitors are considered weaker, they block reuptake selectively and have fewer side effects. A third group of similar drugs blocks the enzyme monoamine oxidase.
Earlier, Vladimir Beketov, therapist at the Tareev Clinic of Rheumatology, Internal and Occupational Diseases, Clinical Hospital 3, Sechenov University, said that during depression, one should give up cocoa, chocolate, red wine, as well as avocados, bananas, cheese, soy and smoked products. Recommendations primarily apply to those taking antidepressants and sedatives.