what is serotonin syndrome?
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THE SEROTONIN SYNDROME \n\n"The serotonin syndrome is a hypersotonergic state which is a very dangerous and a potentially fatal side effect of serotonergic enhancing drugs which can have multiple psychiatric and non-psychiatric symptoms. It is a condition which has been on the rise since the 1960's when we began using more and more drugs which directly affect serotonin. This is a toxic condition which requires heightened clinical awareness in order to prevent, recognize, and treat the condition promptly. Promptness is vital because, as we just mentioned, the serotonin syndrome can be fatal and death from this side effect can come very rapidly. This syndrome is a toxic hyperserotonergic state whose rate of incidence is unknown, but is on the rise. The suspected cause of that increase is the introduction of the new selective serotonergic enhancing agents in clinical practice - the SSRIs. This disorder, brought on by excessive levels of serotonin, is difficult to distinguish from the neuroleptic malignant syndrome because the symptoms are so similar. The neuroleptic malignant syndrome is a serious condition brought on by the use of the neuroleptic drugs. \n\n"The symptoms of the serotonin syndrome are: euphoria, drowsiness, sustained rapid eye movement, overreaction of the reflexes, rapid muscle contraction and relaxation in the ankle causing abnormal movements of the foot, clumsiness, restlessness, feeling drunk and dizzy, muscle contraction and relaxation in the jaw, sweating, intoxication, muscle twitching, rigidity, high body temperature, mental status changes were frequent (including confusion and hypomania - a "happy drunk" state), shivering, diarrhea, loss of consciousness and death. (The Serotonin Syndrome, AM J PSYCHIATRY, June 1991)\n\n"The serotonin syndrome is generally caused by a combination of two or more drugs, one of which is often a selective sertonergic medication. The drugs which we know most frequently contribute to this condition are the combining of MAOIs with Prozac (this should also include the other SSRIs) or other drugs that have a powerful effect upon serotonin, ie, clomipramine (Anafranil), trazadone (Deseryl), etc. The combination of lithium with these selective serotonergic agents has been implicated in enhancing the serotonin syndrome. The tricyclic antidepressants, lithium, MAOIs, SSRIs, ECT (electric shock treatment), tryptophan, and the serotonin agonists (fenfluramine) all enhance serotonin neurotransmission and can contribute to this syndrome. Anything which will raise the level of serotonin can bring on this hyperserotonergic condition. The optimal treatment for the serotonin syndrome is discontinuation of the offending medication or medications, offer supportive measures, and wait for the symptoms to resolve. If the offending medication is discontinued, the condition will often resolve on its own within a 24 hour period. If the medication is not discontinued the condition can progress rapidly to a more serious state and become fatal. It should be apparent that the greater the enhancement of serotonin levels, the greater the chances of producing the serotonin syndrome. Therefore it is recommended that Zoloft, Prozac, Paxil, Luvox, Serzone, etc. not be used concurrently with each other or any other serotonergic drugs and that these serious adverse reactions should be expected with these combinations (Callahan, 1993). (PROZAC: PANACEA OR PANDORA?, p. 88)"\n\nhttp://members.aol.com/atracyphd/syndrome.htm
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It IS hypochondria. Take this test to see if you have it:\nhttp://www.uib.no/med/avd/med_a/gastro/wilhelms/whiteley.html\n\nPsychosomatic refers to physical or physiologic manifestations of emotional or psychiatric problems. For example, if you are stressed out, you may respond with headaches, or feel like you are having trouble breathing. Its not exactly known what causes psychosomatic disorders but seems to be that psychological stressors become internalized and then get expressed in physical disorders.
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For many mental illnesses, there is either too high a level of a neurotransmitter or a group of them, or levels are too low. For example, we think schizophrenia is linked to too high OR too low levels of dopamine, but we still know very little. Clinical depression is related to low levels and activity of serotonin, dopamine and norephinephrine. Some mental illnesses are caused by degeneration of cells (permanent brain damage.) HOWEVER, in both cases, the effect is the same; either too low levels or too high levels or a neurotransmitter. If a cell is damaged, it cannot perform its function properly, so in most cases it will not be able to release as much neurotransmitter substance as it usually does. Did that makes sense? I hope so, hehe. In other words, mental illness is caused by an imbalance in neurotransmitter substances.
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dopamine &  serotonin among many  others.
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Not sure if this is what you are looking for or not...\n\nOrganic Personality Syndrome or Organic Mental Syndrome is a mental disorder characterized by a short-term or long-term personality disturbance largely due to brain dysfunction. The ability to reason, remember, imagine, and learn may not be affected, but the individual's judgement may be so poor that continual supervision may be necessary. Left unattended, he or she may behave in ways that could cause difficult or dangerous problems
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Here is info on asperger syndrome from WebMd.\n\nhttp://www.webmd.com/content/article/95/...
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premenstrual syndrome (PMS), any of various symptoms experienced by women of childbearing age in the days immediately preceding menstruation. It is most common in women in their twenties and thirties. Some 70%–90% of menstruating women are said to have PMS on a cyclical basis. There are over 150 symptoms associated with the syndrome, including behavioral changes, eating binges, moodiness, irritability, fatigue, fluid retention, breast tenderness, and headaches. Some women have mild symptoms; others have symptoms that interfere with work or home life. A few are completely incapacitated, a condition called premenstrual dysphoric disorder. The symptoms vary from woman to woman, and each woman's symptoms may vary from month to month, making diagnosis difficult.\nThe exact cause is unknown. Hormonal imbalances, nutritional deficiencies, and neurotransmitter (serotonin and norepinephrine) fluctuations are being studied. PMS patients who have had hysterectomies may continue to have symptoms, but the symptoms in all patients disappear with menopause. There is no cure for PMS. In some women, dietary changes and exercise provide some relief through the loss of water weight, the alleviation of stress, and an increase in the production of endorphins. Antidepressants or antianxiety drugs are sometimes prescribed. In severe cases hormones that induce a premature menopause may be administered.
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It depends on the syndrome.  \n\nGenerally we define a syndrome as a condition for which an etiology is not known.  We understand that there is something wrong, but we do not know why it is happening.  For example, in the 1980's, it was clear that certain people would develop a depressed immune system, but not clear why.  We still call that condition Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome or AIDS, although we now know it to be caused by HIV, and could properly call it HIV disease.\n\nThere is Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Turner Syndrome, Asperger's Syndrome, Fahr's Syndrome, etc.  \n\nMost syndromes don't have treatments per se, because if we don't know what is causing the problem, we have a hard time treating it.
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it is not a LACK of serotonin that is believed to predispose a person to these disorders, but the RELATIVE levels of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine in several brain areas. increasing serotonin by itself has not shown to significantly relieve symptoms if norepinephrine and dopamine levels are not mediated as well. rarely is one neurotransmitter solely associated with clinical presentation.
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I'm no expert, but here's what I know:\n\nRSD is a neurological disease where, essentially, your nervous system sends pain impulses even though whatever trauma you had is healed.  Do a Yahoo search for RSD, reflex sympathetic dystrophy, CRPS, or complex regional pain syndrome & you'll find lots of information and support groups.\n\nMy sister-in-law has had rsd for the last 3 years.  She's gone through a number of different procedures.  Some have worked better than others.  Some (done by drs who don't know anything about rsd) have made her condition MUCH worse.  As of last week, she was pretty much confined to bed because she was in so much pain & on so many drugs.  She couldn't take care of her 2 kids and had to hire daytime help.\n\nBut here's the good news!  Last Monday, she checked into Hahnemann Hospital in Philadelphia to undergo ketamine treatment with Dr. Schwartzman.  She could barely walk into the hospital.  She walked out of the hospital the following Sunday with NO PAIN whatsoever feeling the best she's felt in 3 years.  We'll see how well the treatment lasts...technically, it should go into remission, but might come back.\n\nI wish you the best of luck!  Just make sure whatever drs you go to are familiar with RSD.  It's very important!
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Aspergers syndrome is a form of autism.  I've had a couple of students who have been dianosed with Aspergers.  Symptoms can vary but the two students I had were highly intelligent but lacked social skills.
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Hi there! As far as i know, serotonin is what we called the Happy Substance! High levels of serotonin, increase this feeling of hapiness in us. Low levels decrease this feeling. Thus, blocking the serotonin receptors in the body would lead to depression and similar effects. and increasing the subs would give an antidepressant effects. Though that is the major effect in the CNS, we can never deny the fact that it has other effects such as those effects mentioned above. Nevertheless, it is always associated in the mood changes in the body.
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Terets syndrome or really bad ocd
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If you are suffering from mild depression you can take 5-HTP, which would help your body produce more serotonin naturally without any side effects, it is a herbal supplement.  FYI, melatonin would not help in this situtation, since melatonin is converted in the body from serotonin and it does not produce serotonin.\n\nhttp://lookup.herballoveshop.com/search?q=5-htp&site=my_collection&client=my_collection&proxystylesheet=my_collection&output=xml_no_dtd&filter=p&getfields=PID.price.ProductImage.Rating.description.mytitle.details
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5-HTP increases seratonin.
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Dopamine, Serotonin 2A and GABA A
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Serotonin is found extensively in the human gastrointestinal tract, or gut, as well as in the blood stream.\n\nIn the body, serotonin is synthesized from the amino acid tryptophan by various enzymes.\n\nSerotonin taken orally does not pass into the serotonergic pathways of the central nervous system because it does not cross the blood-brain barrier. However, the amino acid tryptophan and its metabolite 5-hydroxytryptophan, from which serotonin is synthesized, can and do cross the blood-brain barrier. These agents are available as dietary supplements and may be effective serotonergic agents.\n\nOne breakdown product of serotonin is 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) which is excreted in the urine. Serotonin and 5HIAA are sometimes produced in excess amounts by certain cancer tumors, and levels of these substances may be measured in the urine to test for these tumors.