Historical context of antidepressants

Antidepressants were developed in the mid-20th century as a medical response to depression, a condition once misunderstood and stigmatized. The first major class, tricyclic antidepressants, appeared in the 1950s, followed by monoamine oxidase inhibitors, which targeted brain chemicals involved in mood regulation. The 1980s saw the introduction of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like Prozac, which offered fewer side effects. Over time, these medications have expanded to help manage various mental health conditions, reflecting advances in neuroscience and a shift toward understanding depression as a biological illness.