In America, antidepressants such as Prozac are more often used by women as opposed to men. In 1978, 20% of all women in America were said to be using an antidepressant, while 14% of all men were taking some sort of antidepressant (usually Valium at this time) (Hassibi 1997). Reasons for the gender difference are unknown, however studies have shown that from early adolescence onward, there is a steady increase in the number of women with complaints of depressive symptoms. Women are described as more inhibited, less assertive, and more pessimistic about their lives than their male counterparts.

Also, a decade after depressed adults started listening to Prozac, a new generation of children is tuning in. More children are starting to take Prozac and other such antidepressant drugs as depression is now being recognized as a major childhood disease as well as an adult disease.

Prozac is even becoming common among household pets and animals. The drug has proved to be an effective treatment for a wide variety of behavior problems in cats and dogs such as separation anxiety, obsessive-compulsive behaviors and spraying in cats. The widespread use of this drug among the entire population, including household pets, makes the "Serotonin Revolution" a major issue and potential problem for the nation. The links below will discuss the current trends of antidepressant use among the population, and expectations for the future of depression treatments.

• Women and Antidepressant Use
• Use of Prozac among Children
• Why the Gender Difference?
• Use of Prozac among Animals
• Social and Ethical Implications