article_snippet.sent: The U.S. investigators looked at those taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), the most commonly prescribed type of anti-depressant.
article_snippet.sent: SSRIs are usually the first choice medication for depression and other psychiatric conditions because SSRIs generally have fewer side effects than most other types of antidepressant.
article_snippet.sent: Prescriptions for anti-depressants have more than trebled since 1998 in the world’s richest countries, a study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development found.
article_snippet.sent: The research noted a particular rise in in the use of SSRIs like Prozac and Seroxat.
article_snippet.sent: SSRIs work by blocking ('inhibiting') reuptake, meaning more serotonin is available to pass further messages between nearby nerve cells.
article_snippet.sent: The NHS Choices website while The NHS Choices would be too simplistic to say that depression and related mental health conditions are caused by low serotonin levels, a rise in serotonin levels can improve symptoms and make people more responsive to other types of treatment.
article_snippet.sent: The news comes after a study found women who take antidepressants during pregnancy are more likely to have a baby with autism.
article_snippet.sent: a study supports previous research which has shown that taking SSRI antidepressants during pregnancy increases a woman’s risk of having a child with the developmental disability.
article_snippet.sent: And other American research revealed young adults taking high-dose antidepressants such as Prozac and Seroxat have double the risk of suicidal behaviour.
article_snippet.sent: Researchers pointed to previous studies, which found antidepressant drugs are linked with an increased risk of suicidal behaviour and thoughts in children and adolescents, particularly in the early stages of treatment.