Medications For Anxiety Disorder and Depression
Many people have found that medication can aid in managing anxiety. However, they are not the only solution. Exercise and psychotherapy are effective treatments too.
Certain antidepressants, including SSRIs (citalopram, Lexapro, fluoxetine, Prozac, paroxetine, Zoloft) also treat
generalized anxiety disorder cognitive behavioral therapy. Others, such as histamine blockers such Vistaril (hydroxyzine) can also offer relief.
Antidepressants
Your doctor may prescribe medication to treat depression. Antidepressants, one of the most commonly prescribed medications are available in a variety of types. The type of medication your doctor prescribes depends on the severity of your symptoms as well as any other medical conditions you have, and treatment goals.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are among the most commonly prescribed antidepressants. These work by changing the way nerve cells within your brain communicate. They accomplish this by increasing the amount of certain neurotransmitters that helps improve mood and
anxiety disorders diagnosis. Antidepressants can take several weeks to produce results, so take your time and stick with your regimen.
Benzodiazepines can also be prescribed by your doctor to treat anxiety or depression. They are fast-acting medicines, and they can be used as a short-term solution to ease the immediate symptoms of depression and anxiety. Examples of benzodiazepines include lorazepam and alprazolam. They block the action of adrenaline and noradrenaline which are hormones involved in the fight or flight reaction.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors are an older antidepressant type that is effective in treating depression and anxiety. They are typically prescribed to people who haven't responded to other antidepressants. They also require dietary changes to prevent hypertensive reactions caused by the amino acid tyramine.
Tell your doctor if are taking an antidepressant with a prescription. This includes vitamins and supplements. You may have to decrease the dose if other medications are affecting how well antidepressants work, or if there are negative side effects. Get help immediately if you are thinking of suicide.
You might have different symptoms for anxiety and depression or you may be suffering from comorbid depression and
anxiety disorders wikipedia. People with comorbid anxiety and depression are more likely to have a negative medical prognosis than those who only have one disorder. Certain psychiatric drugs have been found to be particularly effective in treating both disorders in those who suffer from comorbid depression and anxiety.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines can ease anxiety symptoms, such as alprazolam, clonazepam, chlordiazepoxide, diazepam and lorazepam. These medications act on the benzodiazepine receptors of the central nervous system which are five transmembrane protein molecules that make up a benzylchloride-channel at the center. The benzodiazepine receptors have a binding site for the inhibitory neurotransmitter, gamma-aminobutryic acid type A (GABA-A). The benzodiazepines decrease nerve activity by increasing levels of GABA-A.
Benzodiazepines are known to have a quick start of action, but they have a high chance of dependence and addiction. Antidepressants, anticonvulsants and antipsychotics and buspirone all have a longer onset of action however they are the best choice for long-term use because they don't produce dependence or tolerance.
Depression can be comorbid with anxiety disorders, and antidepressants may help alleviate the symptoms of depression caused by anxiety. However, many sufferers of depression suffer from a mix of depressive and anxious symptoms and require the combination of medication and therapy to manage all of their symptoms.
In these situations, benzodiazepines may be utilized for a short period of time to treat depression or anxiety symptoms while other medications work. Usually, these medications are prescribed for only several weeks at a time, and are not prescribed daily. These medications should not be taken for prolonged durations as they can cause withdrawal symptoms, such as shaking or trouble sleeping.
Discuss with your doctor if have ever had issues with addiction, substance abuse or mental health. Your doctor will be able to talk to you about possible adverse effects, and recommend other drugs if required to treat depression.
If you've never used benzodiazepines in the past or use them frequently, they can cause serious and sometimes fatal side effects. If you are breastfeeding, pregnant or have an underlying liver disease or respiratory or digestive disorders Your doctor may recommend lower doses or reduce the time you are treated with these drugs. Alcohol can interact negatively with benzodiazepines, increasing the chance of adverse effects and dependence. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking these medications.
Beta-blockers
Beta-blockers are a medicine that can be used to aid in the control of anxiety symptoms. They are a different kind of drug than benzodiazepines, such as Xanax and work by blocking receptors that adrenaline binds to. They also reduce brain and nervous system activities. They can be used in lieu of benzodiazepines that are more addictive and have a higher dependency risk.
Beta blockers are frequently prescribed for heart conditions, and can be helpful in treating anxiety as they reduce blood pressure and slow down the heart rate. They are not FDA-approved for treating anxiety disorder. These drugs are used "off-label" to treat anxiety disorders. They are a great alternative when other antianxiety medications aren't working or have undesirable adverse consequences. They are particularly effective in situations of performance anxiety and social anxiety, where physical symptoms can occur in situations that cause anxiety.
They can also be used in combination with other treatment modalities for example, CBT or SSRIs. They are especially useful as an alternative therapy for those suffering from GAD. GAD is characterized by constant and frequent worry that interferes in daily activities. They can also aid in managing physical symptoms of anxiety such as a racing pulse or increased sweating.
Although beta-blockers can assist in helping reduce physical symptoms of anxiety, they do not tackle the mental issues that cause the anxiety. They are recommended as a complement to other treatments such as SSRIs and benzodiazepines. Before taking beta-blockers, it is important to discuss with your doctor your medical history and any other health concerns.
These drugs are linked to decreased psychiatric admissions and suicidal behaviors, however the outcomes can differ based on the specific psychiatric diagnosis and the psychiatric history of the past. Additionally, they are linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular events in some patients.
Certain natural products have the same properties as beta-blockers but aren't as effective. They include antioxidants as well as saffron, garlic and potassium. The effectiveness of these natural products is not fully understood. Certain of these products could cause serious adverse side effects, so it is recommended to consult a doctor before taking them.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
MAOIs alter the way that your brain functions. They block the monoamine oxide enzyme which breaks down chemical compounds such as serotonin, norepinephrine and other chemical compounds that let brain cells to communicate with eachother. By blocking monoamine oxide, MAOIs allow more of these chemical messengers to stay in your brain. This enhances brain cell communication and elevates your mood.
These drugs are also effective in treating anxiety disorders, specifically anxiety disorders like agoraphobia and mixed depression and anxiety states. However, they are less effective in states of pure anxiety and might not help with panic attacks. The effectiveness of MAOIs has been linked to the fact that they boost levels of dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin in the brain. These neurotransmitters are produced naturally in your body and released into the bloodstream, from where they travel to nerve cells and act as a messenger between neurons.
The first antidepressant to be developed in the 1950s was iproniazid, which inhibited monoamine oxidase. This led to the development of other MAOIs, such as tranylcypromine isocarboxazid, and fluoxetine, that are known to treat depression. MAOIs are usually prescribed after other types of antidepressants, such as tricyclic antidepressants or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, have been tried without success. MAOIs could trigger serious withdrawal symptoms when abruptly stopped. They can also trigger serious food and drug interactions.
A newer MAOI known as a selective, irreversible MAOA-A inhibitor is being investigated for its potential use in treating depression that is resistant to treatment. It is not recommended for use in bipolar disorder as it could trigger manic symptoms. Another newer MAOI, called selegiline (Eldepryl or Zelapar) is being investigated for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. It blocks monoamine oxidase, however, it does not interfere with other enzymes that break down levodopa, the primary treatment for Parkinson's. These medications
can anxiety disorder cause nausea be taken as a stand-alone treatment or in conjunction with other antidepressants. In some patients, the MAOIs could trigger a reaction that causes increased neuromuscular excitability and hyper-reflexia. This may manifest as muscle twitching, eyelid twitching and other symptoms. These reactions can be more common when these medications are used in conjunction with certain foods like aged cheeses or preserved meats.