Diseases & Conditions
Antidepressants: Not just for mood disorders
The medications are also used to treat pain, insomnia, headaches, and more.
- Reviewed by Anthony L. Komaroff, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Health Letter; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
If your doctor prescribes an antidepressant for a condition other than depression or anxiety, you might not get the connection. Just hear the doctor out; some drugs used to treat depression also turn out to treat a variety of other health problems.
How do antidepressants work?
Antidepressants influence brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) that help regulate mood and other body functions and behaviors. These medications come in a number of classes, and each one works a little differently. For example:
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About the Author
Heidi Godman, Executive Editor, Harvard Health Letter
About the Reviewer
Anthony L. Komaroff, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Health Letter; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
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