BPD Treatment Reuptake in Medications Used to Treat BPD Depression By Kristalyn Salters-Pedneault, PhD Kristalyn Salters-Pedneault, PhD Kristalyn Salters-Pedneault, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and associate professor of psychology at Eastern Connecticut State University. Learn about our editorial process Updated on April 29, 2021 Medically reviewed Verywell Mind articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and mental healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Steven Gans, MD Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print Laguna Design/Oxford Scientific/Getty Images Reuptake is an important brain process to understand if you have borderline personality disorder (BPD) or any other mental health problem. Why? Because many medications used to treat mental health disorders work by altering a number of particular neurotransmitters in the brain. Reuptake is a key part of this process. Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that provide a pathway for transmitting signals released by nerve cells (neurons) across synapses (the spaces between cells) from one nerve cell to another. Reuptake is what happens after a signal is transmitted: The neurotransmitter, its "work" completed, is reabsorbed back into the cell that previously released it. Why Is Reuptake Important in Treatment for BPD Depression? Depression in BPD and other mental health disorders are associated with low levels of certain brain chemicals, including serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. If you have BPD and are taking medication to treat depression (in other words, an antidepressant), you may be taking a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor or SSRI. The most commonly prescribed antidepressants, SSRIs are often used to treat people with BPD by reducing the symptoms of moderate to severe depression. SSRIs increase the amount of the neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain by, as you're now aware, slowing its reuptake into the cells that transmitted it. As a result, higher-than-normal levels of serotonin are left to circulate in the brain. Increasing the amount of serotonin in the brain appears to help brain cells communicate, which in turn helps lift depression and improve mood. Serotonin has been called the body's natural "feel-good" chemical because it produces a sense of well-being. As you can see, SSRIs don't help the body to produce more serotonin. Instead, they help the body circulate more of the serotonin it has. Examples of SSRIs Here are the names of the SSRIs available for your doctor to prescribe: Citalopram (Celexa)Escitalopram (Lexapro)Fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem)Fluvoxamine (Luvox)Paroxetine (Paxil, Paxil XR, Pexeva)Sertraline (Zoloft) What Are Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)? A Word of Warning of Serotonin Syndrome The process of reuptake also plays a role in this rare but dangerous condition, which generally occurs when a person takes more than one medication that increases the level of serotonin in the body. This can result in dangerously high serotonin levels in the brain. Medications that should be taken with caution if at all with SSRIs include: Certain pain or headache medications The herbal supplement St. John's Wort Certain OTC cold and flu medications Signs and symptoms of serotonin syndrome include: Rapid heart rateAgitationLack of coordinationConfusionSweatingTremorsRestlessnessHigh fever If you have any of these signs or symptoms, get medical help immediately. Serotonin syndrome is more likely to occur when you first start taking a serotonin-boosting medication or when you increase the dose. Serotonin syndrome is rare, largely because doctors are very careful about prescribing medications that could cause it. Nevertheless, because this syndrome is so dangerous, the FDA has asked the makers of these types of medications to put warning labels on them that can alert you to this risk. Serotonin Syndrome: Signs and Risks By Kristalyn Salters-Pedneault, PhD Kristalyn Salters-Pedneault, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and associate professor of psychology at Eastern Connecticut State University. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit Speak to a Therapist for BPD Advertiser Disclosure × The offers that appear in this table are from partnerships from which Verywell Mind receives compensation.