Depressive disorders premenstrual dysphoric disorder

Decreased GABAergic effects have also been associated with depression. In vivo evidence of GABAergic dysfunction in patients with depression includes decreased levels of GABA in the CSF, plasma, and occipital cortex (45, 46). Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), which is a condition of depressive symptoms prior to menstruation, has been associated with... 

Sanacora G, Mason GE, Rothman DL, Behar K L, Hyder F, Petroff OA, et al. Reduced cortical gamma-aminobutyric acid levels in depressed patients determined by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Arch. Gen. Psychiatry 1999 56 1043-1047. Epperson CN, Haga K, Mason GE, Sellers E, Gueorguieva R, Zhang W, et al. Cortical gamma-aminobutyric acid levels across the menstrual cycle in healthy women and those with premenstrual dysphoric disorder A proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy study. Arch. Gen. Psychiatry 2002 59 851-858. 

Clinical uses include major depressions, anxiety states (panic, phobias, social), premenstrual dysphoric disorder, bulimia, OCD, and alcoholism. Withdrawal syndrome following discontinuance in depression nausea, headache, vertigo, malaise. 

The symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), also called premenstrual dysphoric disorder, include depressed mood, anxiety, affective lability, and anger or irritability.79 Since low serotonin levels are thought to be involved in the etiology of depression, aggression, and impulsivity,80 specific serotonin reuptake inhibitors have been tested in PMS. The SSRI fluoxetine was found to be better than placebo.81 Since chronic treatment with SSRIs can influence many neuron systems other than serotonin,82 Steinberg et al.83 designed a study using tryptophan, relatively specific for its effect on serotonin, on the effects of symptoms of PMS. In a randomized controlled clinical trial, 37... 

The diversity of action on brain chemistry provides evidence that St. John s wort can exercise a significant effect on a depressed person s brain. However, since most of these actions are not nearly as intense as those found in SSRIs and other antidepressants, it makes sense that St. John s wort cannot cure severe depression. Thus St. John s wort seems best suited for slight to moderate depression, anxiety, or stress. It has also been recognized as a possible cure for premenstrual dysphoric disorder. However, users should be cautioned that appropriate doses of St. John s wort are much more variable than those of standard antidepressants. 

The current SSRIs in the United States inclnde fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, sertraline (Zoloft), paroxetine (Paxil), citalopram (Celexa), and escitalopram (Lexapro). All effectively treat major depression. In addition, one or more of the SSRIs has been shown effective in the treatment of dysthymic disorder, the depressive phase of bipolar disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, panic disorder, social phobia, obsessive-compnlsive disorder, bnlimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder. 

In addition to their proven efficacy in the treatment of all types of depression, the SSRIs have been shown to be the drugs of choice in the treatment of panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, bulimia nervosa, and as an adjunct to the treatment of alcohol withdrawal and relapse prevention, premenstrual dysphoric disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. The usefulness of these drugs in treating such a diverse group of disorders reflects the primary role of serotonin in the regulation of sleep, mood, impulsivity and food intake. 

The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) have been used in adults for a wide variety of disorders, including major depression, social anxiety (social phobia), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), eating disorders, premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), trichotillomania, and migraine headaches. Some of the specific SSRI agents have an approved indication in adults for some of these disorders, as reviewed later in this chapter. The SSRIs have also been tried in children and in adults for symptomatic treatment of pain syndromes, aggressive or irritable ( short fuse ) behavior, and for self-injurious and repetitive behaviors. This chapter will review general aspects of the SSRIs and discuss their approved indications in children and adolescents. 

Some of the growth in antidepressant use may be related to the broad application of these agents for conditions other than major depression. For example, antidepressants have received FDA approvals for the treatment of panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In addition, antidepressants are commonly used to treat pain disorders such as neuropathic pain and the pain associated with fibromyalgia. Some antidepressants are used for treating premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), mitigating the vasomotor symptoms of menopause, and treating stress urinary incontinence. Thus, antidepressants have a broad... 

Sertraline hydrochloride is used in the management of depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), and social anxiety disorder. 

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors, such as SSRIs, have been shown to be effective in the treatment of depression, and they have become among the most widely used prescription drugs in the United States. Prozac is used not only to treat major depressive disorders but also bulimia nervosa, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Multiple serotonin receptor subtypes are involved. Specific serotonin receptor subtype agonists and antagonists have been radiolabeled with positron-emitting tracers to assess the state of the serotonergic system. 

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