Diseases & Conditions

Antidepressants: Not just for mood disorders

The medications are also used to treat pain, insomnia, headaches, and more.

By , Executive Editor, Harvard Health Letter
  • Reviewed by Anthony L. Komaroff, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Health Letter; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing

Senior man sleeping on his side.

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

photo of Heidi Godman

Heidi Godman, Executive Editor, Harvard Health Letter

Heidi Godman is the executive editor of the Harvard Health Letter. Before coming to the Health Letter, she was an award-winning television news anchor and medical reporter for 25 years. Heidi was named a journalism fellow … See Full Bio
View all posts by Heidi Godman

About the Reviewer

photo of Anthony L. Komaroff, MD

Anthony L. Komaroff, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Health Letter; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing

Dr. Anthony L. Komaroff is the Steven P. SimcoxPatrick A. Clifford/James H. Higby Distinguished Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, senior physician at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, and editor in chief of the … See Full Bio
View all posts by Anthony L. Komaroff, MD

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No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.

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