MAOI's work by reducing the breakdown of neurotransmitters like serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine within the nerves, in turn allowing the storage levels of these chemical messengers to rise (www.socialanxiety.com.) Serotonin is the brain chemical that travels in between nerve cells and controls many functions, such as mood, appetite, and body temperature (Jungkind.) This chemical is the most important in treating depression. MAOI's type of medication is extremely dangerous if you mix with certain types of foods and medications, therefore the user of MAOI's must follow diet and medical precautions. There are also several other side affects such as headaches, tremors, wait gain, delayed orgasms, memory problems, fatigue, trouble sleeping, weakness, dizziness, and constipation. .
The newest and most popular anti-depressants out today are Selective Seritonin Reuptake Inihibitors, also known as SSRI's. They work by changing the brain's regulation of serotonin. Since they are focusing on only one chemical, unlike MAOI's, they work considerably better. SSRI's have reasonably less side effects than MAOI's, which makes them the selective choice. Their most common side effect's include nausea, dry mouth, and delayed orgasms. There is a huge controversy surrounding SRRI's because many believe they cause suicidal and homicidal thoughts and actions. The two boys that were responsible for the Columbine shooting were said to be taking SSRI's at the point in time and several claim that the drugs drove them to do it. The UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency announced that certain types of SSRI's were not to be given to children under the age of 18 due to increased risk of suicide (Lancet.) Many argue that suicide is a risk of depression and they would have been high risk without the drug. Also, many people believe that the other risks like weight gain are too high. I suppose people just need to ask themselves would they rather be happy and fat or depressed and skinny.