MHW 2017

Quiz

BuzzFeed News Reporter

Health

Because treatment for depression isn't easy.

If You Can Pass This Antidepressant Quiz, You Might Be A Psychiatrist

How Much Do You Actually Know About Antidepressants? 

Experts [believe](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0087089/) that depression is caused by an imbalance of certain chemicals in the brain, like serotonin and norepinephrine, and that this affects nerve connections. Antidepressants work by making these chemicals more available throughout the brain.

It's true.

True or False: Antidepressants work by making certain chemicals more available in the brain.

Black box warnings are the strictest of prescription drug warnings. Antidepressants get them because they [may increase suicidal thoughts](http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/in-depth/antidepressants/ART-20046273?p=1) and behaviors in children, teens, and young adults under 25 years old, especially within the first few weeks of starting or when a dose is changed.

A black box warning tells people when a drug has [serious or life-threatening risks](https://www.fda.gov/downloads/forconsumers/consumerupdates/ucm107976.pdf).

All antidepressants are required by the Food and Drug Administration to carry black box warnings. What does that mean?

SSRIs work in the brain by increasing levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter [involved](https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00033787) in regulating emotion, anxiety, and stress, among other things. They do this by preventing (inhibiting) the absorption (reuptake) of serotonin into nerve cells, which allows the chemical to accumulate.

SSRI stands for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor.

SSRI stands for selective serotonin reuptake \_\_\_\_\_\_.  


These [side effects](http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/in-depth/ssris/art-20044825) include drowsiness, nausea, insomnia, nervousness, dizziness, headache, and blurred vision.

SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed antidepressant because they are relatively safe and have been proven to cause fewer side effects than other kinds of antidepressants.

And speaking of SSRIs, they are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants because \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_.  
  


MAOIs [stands for](http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/in-depth/antidepressants/ART-20046273?p=1) monoamine oxidase inhibitors, SNRIs stands for selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, and as you know from above, SSRIs stands for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Each class affects neurochemistry in different ways. And as for NOOIs? There's no such thing.

NOOIs aren't a class of antidepressant drug.

Which one of these is not a class of antidepressant drug?

The first type of antidepressant [ever developed](http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/in-depth/maois/ART-20043992?p=1), MAOIs prevent (inhibit) monoamine oxidase from removing those neurotransmitters from the brain. In doing so, it increases the levels of these neurotransmitters so that they can effect changes in the cells and cell circuits that have been impacted by depression.

They prevent the enzyme monoamine oxidase from removing the neurotransmitters norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine from the brain.

And speaking of MAOIs, how do they work?  


It's actually [the name](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/marzipan) of a confection made with almond paste, sugar, and egg whites.

Marzipan is not the name of an antidepressant!

Which of these is not the brand name of an antidepressant?  


It's actually the other way around. Tricyclics are called first-generation antidepressants because they were among the first developed — being introduced in the [1950s](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19442174). SSRIs came later; the first one was introduced in the [1980s](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1028185/?page=1). That SSRI, called zimeldine, was later withdrawn from the market after it was linked to several cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome.

False!

True or False: SSRIs are considered first-generation antidepressants while tricyclics are considered second-generation antidepressants.

According to the [National Institutes of Health](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0087089/), the more severe the depression is, the better antidepressants will work. That means that antidepressants will work better for chronic, moderate, or severe depression than it will for mild depression.

Antidepressants are more effective at treating chronic, severe depression than they are at treating mild depression.

Antidepressants are \_\_\_\_\_ at treating chronic, severe depression \_\_\_\_ they are at treating mild depression.

People who might benefit from taking antidepressants for this amount of time [include](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0087089/) those who've already had several relapses, those who absolutely want to avoid a relapse, and those who have chronic depression.

It usually takes about 1–2 years of antidepressant use to prevent relapse — although it might sometimes take longer.

For how long are antidepressants usually taken in order to avoid a depressive relapse?

Over half of all people who use antidepressants [report](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0087089/) experiencing side effects, which usually occur during the first few weeks of treatment. These side effects typically include dry mouth, headaches, anxiousness, feeling faint, and a decreased sex drive. Only a very small number of people have reported heart problems, epileptic fits, and liver damage.

Anxiousness is not an uncommon side effect of taking antidepressants.

Which of these is _not_ an uncommon side effect of using antidepressants?

On the other hand, SSRIs are [more likely](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0087089/) than tricyclics to cause diarrhea, headaches, sleep problems, and nausea. Different types of antidepressants will cause different side effects, so it's worth talking to your doctor about what the pros and cons are — that way you'll find the best fit for you.

Tricyclics are more likely than SSRIs to cause all of these side effects.

Which of these side effects is more common in people taking tricyclic antidepressants rather than SSRIs?

They do this by [preventing](http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/in-depth/antidepressants/art-20044970) [molecules](http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/in-depth/antidepressants/ART-20046983?p=1) of norepinephrine and serotonin from being absorbed back into the nerves. This causes them to accumulate in the brain, increasing their levels and ultimately improving mood. SNRIs, however, are a newer class of antidepressants, which cause fewer side effects.

Both increase levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain!

What's something that both SNRIs and tricyclics have in common?

[Research](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12924832) has shown SSRIs may help treat all of these conditions — although, fun fact: It's actually the side effects of SSRIs that helps people with premature ejaculation.

It's all of the above.

There’s some evidence that SSRIs can also be used to treat \_\_\_\_\_\_.

[Serotonin syndrome](https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression-what-you-need-to-know/index.shtml) occurs when serotonin levels get too high in the brain, and it can lead to symptoms like shivering, diarrhea, fever, seizures, agitation, hallucinations, and stiff or rigid muscles. While it's usually linked to MAOI use, it can also happen with newer classes of antidepressants if used alongside certain other medications.

Serotonin syndrome is most often associated with MAOIs.

Serotonin syndrome is most often associated with which antidepressant?

[Everything else is](http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/expert-answers/antidepressant-withdrawal/faq-20058133), though, and they typically happen within a day or two of stopping. Antidepressants aren't addictive, but they can cause withdrawal symptoms if they're discontinued too fast — especially if they've been used for more than six weeks. For this reason, people who are on antidepressants should always talk to their doctor if they want to discontinue use, since their doctor might recommend gradually reducing the dose.

Dry mouth isn't a symptom of antidepressant withdrawal.

Which of these is not considered a symptom of antidepressant withdrawal?

Hey, there ARE a lot of them, and each has slightly different effects on the body, so it can get pretty complicated. That said, there's always room for improvement — especially if you're thinking of going on these drugs — so we hope you learned something from this quiz!

Oh no! Looks like you don't know too much about antidepressants.

It's not bad, but you could definitely benefit from knowing a thing or two more, especially if taking these drugs is something you're considering. Hopefully this quiz helped you move in that direction!

Your antidepressant knowledge is just...OK.

Maybe it's because you're someone who's used them, or maybe you work/know people who have depression. Either way, it's great that you know so much about them, and we hope you can spread that knowledge to others who are in need.

You really know a lot about antidepressants.

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If You Can Pass This Antidepressant Quiz, You Might Be A Psychiatrist

Follow along at BuzzFeed.com/MentalHealthWeek from Oct. 2 to Oct. 8, 2017.

If You Can Pass This Antidepressant Quiz, You Might Be A Psychiatrist

Follow along at BuzzFeed.com/MentalHealthWeek from Oct. 2 to Oct. 8, 2017.

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