What causes Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?
Neurotransmitters in the brain play a key role in regulating mood
and behavior. People with a low level of a neurotransmitter called
serotonin seem to be predisposed to developing MDD and GAD. GAD is about twice as likely to appear in women as
in men. Depression or GAD is often triggered by events such as:
- Divorce, death of a spouse, loss of a job, or serious financial
problems
- Abuse of alcohol or other drugs
- Certain medications and diseases
- Hormonal changes in women associated with childbirth or menopause
- A family history of depression
- In older adults, health problems and functional limitations associated
with aging
MDD and GAD are Treatable Illnesses
Sometimes the exact cause of a person's depression or GAD is not
known. And, although the causes may vary, Lexapro is an effective treatment for both depression and GAD.
How can Lexapro help me?
Lexapro is a member of the family of medications known as
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Lexapro helps to
increase the available supply
of serotonin, a neurotransmitter believed to influence mood. Lexapro
appears to relieve depression and anxiety by increasing serotonin
levels without affecting many of the other chemicals in the brain.
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