Prozac, the Most Popular Antidepressant

Fluoxetine Hydrochloride, which is the scientific name for Prozac, is the most popular drug used to cure depression. Prozac is also used to treat other mental and medical conditions, such as obsessive compulsive disorder (DOC), bulimia nervosa, ADHD and anxiety disorder. Eli Lilly and Company, the manufacturers of Prozac, have made a fortune on this "miracle drug" since it's introduction to the U.S market in the year 1988. But just like any other drug, Prozac has it's side effects as well. It is not perfect, and there have been several cases of suicidal and violent behavior associated with the use of this drug. Therefore, there is a big controversy regarding the use of Prozac.

Mechanism
The mechanism of Prozac takes place in the deepest parts of the brain. It narrows in on the synapses, the spaces between brain cells, and affects a chemical or neurotransmitter called serotonin. Serotonin works as a messenger who carries messages across synapses between brain cells, who then sends them to the rest of the body. For people who suffer from depression, serotonin is not functioning properly. It does not stay in the synapses long enough to carry important messages, or may be stolen back by the first brain cell. SSRI's (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors), are drugs that inhibits serotonin from being stolen back by the first brain cell. Prozac, which belongs to the SSRI family, does just that.

History
SSRI's were first introduced to the U.S market in 1988, with Prozac being the first brand. In preceding years, a different class of antidepressants were used to cure depression, called MAOI,s (Monoamine oxidase inhibitors). MAOI's show similar results as those of SSRI's, but the side effects are more severe. MAOI's act by inhibiting an enzyme called monoamine oxidase from breaking down neurotransmitters, such as serotonin. This mechanism results in an increase of this chemical, and thus leads to improved conditions. High blood pressure is one of the severe side effects of MAOI's, which in term contributes to numerous other side effects such as anxiety, heart palpitation and dizziness.

When SSRI's were first introduced, they were used more often for treating depression than MAOI's. The main reason was because they had fewer side effects and were thus a more preferable choice. According to Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia (Monoamine), a distinguishable quality of Prozac compared to other SSRI's, is it's energetic effect. This makes Prozac an exceptional choice for treating different kinds of depressions, where lack of energy and depressed moods are the symptoms.

The uses of Prozac
Prozac is used for treating different kinds of mental conditions. Some of the most common uses are for depression, social anxiety and ADHD.

Depression
According to Panzarino "A depressive disorder is a syndrome (group of symptoms) that reflects a sad mood exceeding normal sadness or grief. More specifically, the sadness of depression is characterized by a greater intensity and duration and by more severe symptoms and functional disabilities than is normal" (1). The causes of depression can vary from case to case. Some examples of causes are bad environments, different lifestyles, genetic preposition and lack of emotional support. For instance, the environment we live in is very important for our mental well-being. People, who are constantly victims of family violence in their homes, might run a greater risk of falling victim to depression. Early traumatic life experiences, such as the loss of family members, can also trigger depression.

People who fall victim to depression can experience a variety of symptoms. Some of the more common symptoms are lack of energy, feelings of hopelessness, concentration difficulties, suicidal thoughts, insomnia and loss of appetite. Suicidal thoughts are the most severe symptoms of depression. Immediate action should be taken for people who experience suicidal thoughts, mainly by providing them with professional help.

Social Anxiety
Social anxiety can be described as feelings of fear, nervousness and embarrassment when interacting with other people. Sufferers of social anxiety also have fear of being judged or evaluated by others. This fear leads to avoidance of social situations such as being introduced to other people, being the center of attention, talking in front of large groups, talking to strangers and eating in public. Symptoms that are common for victims of social anxiety are intense fear, blushing, rapid heart beat, wooziness, nausea, panic attacks, shortness of breath and trembling. People with social anxiety know that their fear is irrational, and that there is no reason of being frightened of social situations or being judged by other people, but they still experience the symptoms.

ADHD
ADHD, or Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, is a mental illness that has become very common in recent years. "People with ADHD have trouble paying attention in school, at home or at work. They may be much more active and/or impulsive than what is usual for their age" (ADHD familydoctor.org). The possible causes of ADHD differ from person to person. One possible explanation could be that the brain does not make enough of the chemicals necessary for organizing thoughts. This makes it extremely difficult for children.

The effects of Prozac

Pros
Prozac, since it's release in 1988, has been a helpful pill for many sufferers of depression and other mental illnesses. Prozac gives a calming and also energetic effect to it's consumers and helps them function better socially. This effect is notably good for patients with anxiety disorders and depression. For people with ADHD, it helps them concentrate better and the level of hyperactivity gradually sinks to a moderate level.

Cons
Although a lot of people seem to experience the positive effects of Prozac, it has the complete opposite effect on others. For some people, the drug makes them tremendously anxious, and also doubles the effect of their depression. There have been cases where the use of Prozac has led people to commit suicide, and suicidal thoughts have been a common side effect in recent years. Acts of unmanageable rage has also been recorded amongst users of Prozac. These violent behaviors have sometimes leaded to various acts of physical abuse, performed by people who used Prozac during the time of their violent behavior. Acts of murder have also been confirmed associated with the use of Fluoxetine.