SSRIs scientific evidence they work

[Loopyloooooo]

I was sure that a couple of years a go there had been news articles stating a new study found SSRIs don't really work.

However I've just googled and found articles that said what they actually found is that depression isn't caused by a chemical imbalance. If that's true how do SSRIs work? I need an easy to understand version compared to what I'm reading online.

I've taken SSRIs years ago and they helped but was it all a placebo? I really feel like I need some help again and not feeling well at all.

It's not clear what causes depression, the likely answer is a huge mix of factors including neurochemistry, structure, genetics, social stress, experiences of trauma, personality... Etc etc.

SSRIs do up serotonin (a neurotransmitter) in the brain, which has a positive impact on mood. It doesn't have to be the case that low mood is caused by low serotonin, just has to be the case that upping serotonin helps mood.

SSRIs do work better than placebos in direct comparison studies. The best option has been found to be SSRIs plus therapy.

If you got on well with SSRIs, didn't have any major downsides for you, I would definitely try them again @Loopyloooooo

Thank you @IWillBeWaxingAnOwl that helpful. Everything is a bit overwhelming at the minute so reading anything too complex online..it just wasn't going in. That's helpful cheers.