With the help of an example explain how do tranquilizers control the feeling of depression?
Tranquilizers are a class of chemical compounds used to treat stress and mild or even severe mental diseases. They relieve anxiety, stress, irritability or excitement by inducing a sense of well-being.
For example, noradrenaline is one of the neurotransmitters that play a role in mood changes. If the level of noradrenaline is low for some reason, then the signal-sending activity becomes low, and the person suffers from depression.
In those situations, tranquilizer drugs or antidepressant drugs can be used. These drugs inhibit the enzymes which catalyse the degradation of noradrenaline.
If the enzyme is inhibited, this important neurotransmitter is slowly metabolised and can activate its receptor for longer periods of time, thus counteracting the effect of depression.
Iproniazid and phenelzine are two such drugs.
Additional information
Tranquilizers are available in two variants. They are:
1. Minor Tranquilizers
2. Major Tranquilizers
Minor Tranquilizers
Minor tranquilizers, also referred to as anxiolytics, are used for sedation and to treat anxiety. These drugs are called anti-anxiety medications.
Major Tranquilizers
Major tranquilizers, also known as neuroleptics, were developed to treat the disorders of psychiatric, including schizophrenia.