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Does Extreme Stress And Depression Cause Serotonin Depletion?

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Posted on Sun, 5 Jul 2020
Twitter Sun, 5 Jul 2020 Answered on
Twitter Mon, 8 Sep 2025 Last reviewed on
Question : Does extreme stress and depression cause serotonin depletion? I m on 100mg luvox daily since 5 yrs but since last 4 days it feels luvox lost its effect as I am going through severe heartbreak depression and trauma. Please help. Thanks. 37 make. Ocd.
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Answered by Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Consultation

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

It is true that extreme stress is both the cause as well as result of serotonin depletion. In other words depletion of serotonin brings stress and depression and chronic stress often causes serotonin depletion resulting in symptoms.

As I can see that you are already receiving Luvox I feel there is need to increase the dose because of ongoing stress. This is common observation that need for antidepressant increases during periods of extreme stress.

I must assure you that probably there is no loss of effect but there is change in physiology which requires higher dose.

I hope this helps you.
Feel free to write back to me if you have more questions.
Thanks and regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary

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Practicing since :2000

Answered : 3344 Questions

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Does Extreme Stress And Depression Cause Serotonin Depletion?

Brief Answer: Consultation Detailed Answer: Hello, It is true that extreme stress is both the cause as well as result of serotonin depletion. In other words depletion of serotonin brings stress and depression and chronic stress often causes serotonin depletion resulting in symptoms. As I can see that you are already receiving Luvox I feel there is need to increase the dose because of ongoing stress. This is common observation that need for antidepressant increases during periods of extreme stress. I must assure you that probably there is no loss of effect but there is change in physiology which requires higher dose. I hope this helps you. Feel free to write back to me if you have more questions. Thanks and regards.