The following sections of this BookRags Literature Study Guide is offprint from Gale's For Students Series: Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Commonly Studied Works: Introduction, Author Biography, Plot Summary, Characters, Themes, Style, Historical Context, Critical Overview, Criticism and Critical Essays, Media Adaptations, Topics for Further Study, Compare & Contrast, What Do I Read Next?, For Further Study, and Sources.
(c)1998-2002; (c)2002 by Gale. Gale is an imprint of The Gale Group, Inc., a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Gale and Design and Thomson Learning are trademarks used herein under license.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Encyclopedia of Popular Fiction: "Social Concerns", "Thematic Overview", "Techniques", "Literary Precedents", "Key Questions", "Related Titles", "Adaptations", "Related Web Sites". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Guide to Literature for Young Adults: "About the Author", "Overview", "Setting", "Literary Qualities", "Social Sensitivity", "Topics for Discussion", "Ideas for Reports and Papers". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
All other sections in this Literature Study Guide are owned and copyrighted by BookRags, Inc.
Antidepressants are a diverse group of drugs used to treat symptoms of depression. The term "depression" describes several psychiatric disorders in which a person has abnormal moods. Everyone has moods—silly, happy, angry, sad. Most people, no matter what mood they happen to be in, are able to follow their daily routines and meet obligations at school, at work, and with their families. Sometimes a person has moods, often of anger or sadness, that are extremely powerful. Often these moods, not the person, determine behavior. Very strong moods can prevent a person from completing work or lead to clashes with others. When this happens regularly, the moods are considered abnormal.
Antidepressants can also be useful for treating anxiety, panic disorders, and chronic pain. They are not helpful for short-term depressed moods that are part of everyday life or for the normal period of grief that follows loss of a loved one. Antidepressants include tricyclics (such as Tofranil and Aventyl), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (Nardil, Marplan), lithium (Eskalith, Lithonate), nontricyclics, and selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft).