Currently undergoing treatment for OCD by taking ssri medications – Prozac (Fluoxetine)
Literally, for 3 weeks straight, I didn’t feel a single inch of improvement and suddenly, my symptoms are 100% gone. I could have sworn that i was going OCD crazy the day prior. I thought ssri medications were more gradual. It felt more like a switch being turned on as soon the time was ripe.
In: Biology
“SSRI” stands for “selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor”. There are neurotransmitters which are created in the brain, used for a while, then taken away to be recycled. An SSRI reduces or “inhibits” the taking away or “reuptake” of serotonin specifically or “selectively”.
Because serotonin isn’t being taken away as quickly the normal production will gradually increase the amount within the brain. Eventually it reaches the concentrations which are therapeutic. Unfortunately this takes a while and it passes through a period where adverse effects like suicide increase. Simply put the patient will still feel horrible, but a little bit better so they can actually take action on all the dark thoughts they are having. That is why you were feeling crazy the day before it finally “clicked” and reached a comfortable level.
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