SSRIs & the News
In July of 2022, a review of existing research was published “debunking” the serotonin theory of depression. Many of us know that over the years, this theory has been, for the most part, already abandoned. Most clinicians subscribe to a biopsychosocial model, which recognizes any of the following may be increasing symptoms depression: brain chemistry, genetics, physical health, systemic injustices, impact of systemic oppression on marginalized individuals, trauma (acute trauma or chronic trauma), substance use, compassion fatigue, or just being a human in the era of COVID-19.
So, if we as professionals have already acknowledged that the serotonin/chemical imbalance theory is outdated, why did the review make such a splash?