SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are a relatively new class of antidepressant which have only been in use for the last 20 years. Prozac and Seroxat, both common household names, belong to the SSRI class of drugs. There has been both good and bad publicity surrounding the use of these antidepressants.

It is not fully understand how SSRIs boost the mood. Certainly, there is an increase of serotonin in the synapses as the drugs lessen the reuptake of the neurotransmitter. But it is not obvious how this happens or why brain changes occur during the first few weeks of taking the drug which lead to an improvement in the depression.

Like most drugs, SSRIs can have unpleasant side effects in some patients. The most common is sexual dysfunction, which occurs in almost half of patients and can prove a huge mental block in beating the depression. The medication also has withdrawal effects. These include stomach disturbances such as diarrhoea, headaches and mood swings. Changes to the levels of medication must be done only under the strict supervision of a doctor. Weaning a patient off SSRIs must be done very gradually or there is a greater chance of withdrawal symptoms or a relapse into depression.

There are concerns from certain quarters that SSRIs are over-prescribed, perhaps most worryingly in the under 18 age group. It is estimated that in the UK alone there are up to 40,000 children and adolescents who are taking them for mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. A number of prominent bodies have expressed alarm that doctors are handing out prescriptions as an easy alternative to dealing with the roots of depression, with means such as diet and lifestyle changes. There is also concern in view of evidence that there is strong link between taking SSRIs and suicide in under 18s. Currently, only fluexetine can be given to children and adolescents in the UK but other brands of SSRI are still prescribed to young patients in America, albeit with a black box warning.