Which of the following statements about antidepressants is accurate?

• A. Antidepressants are used to treat physical injuries by reducing inflammation in the nervous system.
• B. Antidepressants are mainly prescribed to treat anxiety disorders by blocking dopamine receptors.
• C. Antidepressants work by gradually decreasing psychotic symptoms and behaviors.
• D. Antidepressants primarily work by increasing the availability of certain neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and norepinephrine, in the brain.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the primary function of antidepressants in psychology, which is to treat mood disorders such as depression and anxiety by affecting neurotransmitter levels in the brain.
2. Step 2: Recognize that antidepressants do not primarily treat physical injuries or inflammation; this is outside their main therapeutic use.
3. Step 3: Note that antidepressants are not mainly prescribed to block dopamine receptors; instead, they typically target neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine.
4. Step 4: Understand that antidepressants are not primarily used to decrease psychotic symptoms; that role is more associated with antipsychotic medications.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the accurate statement is that antidepressants work by increasing the availability of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and norepinephrine, which helps improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression.