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Probiotics may help improve sexual function and reduce depression severity in women treated with SSRIs. Highlights: Depression Prevalence: Approximately 5% of all adults will experience depressive disorder, often accompanied by reduced sexual desire and dysfun…
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Antidepressant withdrawal symptoms occur in about one-third of patients stopping antidepressants, with severe symptoms in about 3% of cases – according to a new Lancet Psychiatry review. Highlights: Incidence of Symptoms: Approximately 31% of patients experien…
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Antidepressant use has risen steadily for 30 years. Over 10% of adults in England now take them long-term, but evidence suggests up to half lack clear medical justification to continue. Patients and doctors are reluctant to stop treatment due to fears of relap…
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Insomnia is a common sleep disorder affecting up to 15% of adults. While sedative medications are often prescribed, their long-term use can lead to dependence. As an alternative, antidepressants are widely used in clinical practice despite limited evidence sup…
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Depression is highly prevalent in older adults and those with cardiovascular disease. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are generally safe first-line treatments, but many wonder if they’re safe for those with cardiovascular disease. Key Facts: Th…
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Current antidepressants can take weeks to improve symptoms of depression. New research explores reasons for this delay and provides clues to develop more rapid-acting drugs. Key Facts: Most antidepressants increase brain serotonin and norepinephrine, but their…
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Minor or subthreshold depression causes significant suffering and impairment, despite falling short of a major depression diagnosis. Effective early treatment is crucial to alleviate symptoms, improve functioning, and prevent progression to major depression. B…
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Depression often comes with significant sleep disturbances that can persist even after other symptoms improve. Choosing an antidepressant that alleviates sleep problems may improve outcomes. Key Facts: Sleep complaints like insomnia occur in 60-90% of depressi…
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A new Mayo Clinic study is the first to clinically investigate whether antidepressants that impact mitochondrial function differently are associated with varying rates of treatment-emergent mania in bipolar disorder. The study found that antidepressants that i…
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Researchers have discovered that several commonly prescribed antidepressants can promote antibiotic resistance and persistence in E. coli bacteria. This concerning finding implicates yet another widely used class of pharmaceuticals in exacerbating the global a…
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