Images

One hypothesis of the cycle of anhedonia (loss of interest or pleasure) in patients with depression is illustrated in this image; this hypothesis comes from a series of experiments performed on a sample of psychology students.

As adjunctive treatment in MDD, some dopamine–serotonin receptor antagonists are associated with sedating side effects, while others are more often associated with ‘activating’ side effects.

In general, antidepressants function by increasing the availability of monoamines in the synapse; these monoamines are thought to be depleted in depression.

This image explains how factors like poor health and stress lead to immuno-metabolic stress, altering brain function and triggering depressive symptoms.

This figure explains how trauma and stress trigger epigenetic changes in glucocorticoid-related gene regulation, increasing depression risk.