Introduction

Fluoxetine, better known as Prozac, has infiltrated the field of psychology with its dazzling effects on depression. Based on the physiology of neurotransmitters, fluoxetine acts by keeping high levels of serotonin in the synapse, a physiological state that has been correlated with non-depressive behavior. While fluoxetine may indeed help those who have a genuine physiological deficiency, its success has inevitably led to widespread administration to patients. Persons suffering from genuine psychological problems need therapy that is based in psychology. However, fluoxetine has been regularly prescribed as a quick fix to patients' ills. The use of fluoxetine should be examined in light of its physiological origins, clinical studies, and economics. Fluoxetine should be used in cases where positive results have been clearly documented, but cognitive based therapy should be used in cases where the benefits of fluoxetine have either been disproved or unconfirmed.

Physiological Origins of Unipolar Depression

Unipolar depression can be viewed from a physiological perspective; the biochemistry of a human being determines his or her behavior to a certain extent. According to Lauralee Sherwood, author of Human Physiology, the human body uses neurotransmitters to communicate messages in the brain. "The underlying neurophysiological mechanisms responsible for the

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