Which of the following statements is true of antidepressant drugs?

• A. They typically cause immediate mood improvement within hours of administration.
• B. They work by directly increasing dopamine levels in the brain.
• C. They are primarily prescribed for schizophrenia.
• D. They are commonly used to treat major depressive disorder and some anxiety disorders.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the primary use of antidepressant drugs: They are mainly prescribed to treat major depressive disorder and certain anxiety disorders, not schizophrenia.
2. Recognize the typical onset of antidepressant effects: These drugs usually take several weeks to show mood improvement, rather than causing immediate effects within hours.
3. Know the neurotransmitter systems involved: Antidepressants commonly affect serotonin and norepinephrine levels, rather than directly increasing dopamine.
4. Eliminate incorrect statements by comparing them with established pharmacological knowledge about antidepressants.
5. Conclude that the true statement is that antidepressants are commonly used to treat major depressive disorder and some anxiety disorders.