Searching For Inspiration? Check Out Medication For Anxiety Disorder And Depression
Medications For Anxiety Disorder and Depression
Many people use medication to manage anxiety, but they aren't the only solution. Exercise and psychotherapy can also be effective treatments.
Some antidepressants, like SSRIs (citalopram, Lexapro, fluoxetine, Prozac, paroxetine, Zoloft) also treat anxiety. Others, such as histamine blockers such as Vistaril (hydroxyzine) can also provide relief.
Antidepressants
If you've been diagnosed with depression, your doctor might prescribe medication as part of your treatment program. Antidepressants are among the most commonly prescribed medications, and there are many kinds to choose from. The type of medication your doctor prescribes will depend on the severity of your symptoms as well as any other medical conditions you suffer from, as well as your 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 that nerve cells in your brain communicate. They do this by increasing the amount of certain neurotransmitters, which enhances mood and anxiety. Antidepressants can take several weeks to produce results, so take your time and adhere to your treatment.
Benzodiazepines are also prescribed by your physician to treat anxiety or depression. These medications are fast-acting and can help reduce depression and anxiety symptoms in a short period of time. Benzodiazepines are lorazepam, alprazolam and others. They inhibit the actions of noradrenaline and adrenaline, which are hormones that play a role in the body's fight or flee response.
Monoamine oxidase inhibiters are an antidepressant of a different type that can be effective in treating anxiety and depression. They are usually prescribed to those who haven't responded to other antidepressants. They also require changes to diet in order to avoid hypertensive reactions caused by the amino acid tyramine.
If you're taking a prescription antidepressant inform your doctor about the other medications you're taking, such as vitamins and supplements. You might need to reduce your dosage if you're using other medications that affect how well antidepressants function or if they trigger negative side effects. If you think you're having thoughts of suicide, seek assistance right away from a health care professional.
There are many signs of depression and anxiety or you may have a comorbidity of depression and anxiety. Patients with comorbid depression as well as anxiety have a less favorable medical prognosis than people who have either disorder alone. Certain psychiatric drugs have been found to be especially helpful in treating both disorders for those with comorbid anxiety and depression.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines are a great way to relieve anxiety symptoms, such as alprazolam, clonazepam and chlordiazepoxid diazepam and lorazepam. These drugs work by affecting the benzodiazepine receptors of the central nervous system, which are 5 transmembrane protein molecules that form an benzylchloride channel in the center. The benzodiazepine receptors also have one that binds to the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma aminobutryic type A (GABA A). The benzodiazepines decrease nerve activity by increasing GABA-A levels.
The benzodiazepines have a fast start of action, but they pose a risk for dependence and addiction. Antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, and buspirone have a longer time to take effect, however they are the best choice for long-term use, as they don't produce tolerance or create addiction.
Depression is often found to be a comorbidity of anxiety disorders, and antidepressants can help alleviate the symptoms of depression caused by anxiety. However, many sufferers of depression experience a mixture of both anxious and depressive symptoms and require the combination of medication and therapy to manage all their symptoms.
In these cases benzodiazepines are used for short intervals of time to control depression and anxiety symptoms until another medication takes effect. The medications are typically prescribed for a brief period of time, not daily. These medications should not be used for prolonged periods of time as they can trigger withdrawal symptoms, such as shaking or trouble sleeping.
If you are considering taking benzodiazepines, inform your doctor about any previous dependency or substance abuse issues, as well as any other mental health problems you have. Your doctor will be able to talk to you about possible side effects, and recommend other medications if needed to treat depression.
Benzodiazepines can cause serious and even life-threatening problems if you take too much or haven't previously used them. If you are nursing, pregnant or have any history of liver disease or digestive or respiratory problems, your doctor may require lower doses or limit the duration of your treatment with these drugs. Alcohol can interact with benzodiazepines, and can increase the risk of side effects and dependence, so you should avoid drinking alcohol while you are taking them.
Beta-blockers
Beta-blockers are a drug that can aid in the control of anxiety symptoms. They are a different kind of drug from benzodiazepines such as Xanax and block receptors that adrenaline binds to. They also reduce the activity of the nervous system and brain. They can be used as an alternative to benzodiazepines which are more addictive and carry greater risk of dependence.
Beta blockers, that reduce blood pressure and slow heart rate, are frequently prescribed to treat heart conditions. They can also be beneficial for treating anxiety. They aren't FDA-approved to treat anxiety disorder. They are often employed "off label" for this purpose and are a viable alternative when other anti-anxiety medications don't provide relief or do not have acceptable side effects. They are particularly effective in cases of performance anxiety and social anxiety, where unpleasant symptoms can manifest in situations that cause anxiety.
They can also be employed in conjunction with other treatment methods, such as CBT or SSRIs. They are particularly useful as an additional treatment for people suffering from GAD that is characterized by constant and persistent anxiety that affects daily activities. They can also help manage physical symptoms of anxiety, such as a racing pulse or increased sweating.
Beta-blockers can help ease physical symptoms of anxiety but they don't address the underlying psychological issues that cause the condition. They are designed to complement other treatments, such as SSRIs or benzodiazepines. It is important to discuss your medical history and any other health concerns with your doctor before taking beta-blockers.
The use of these drugs is associated with reduced suicidal and psychiatric hospitalisations However, the results differ by specific psychiatric diagnosis and past psychiatric history. In addition they are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events in certain patients.
There are a few natural products that have beta-blocker-like properties, but they are not as effective as prescription drugs. They include antioxidants as well as saffron, garlic, and potassium. The effectiveness of these natural products is not fully known. Certain of these products can cause serious side-effects, therefore it is best to consult with a physician before taking them.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
MAOIs affect the way your brain works. They block the activity of an enzyme called monoamine oxidase. It reduces the chemical compounds serotonin and norepinephrine, which allow brain cells to communicate with each with each other. By blocking monoamine oxidase MAOIs keep more chemical messengers in your brain, which elevates your mood due to improved brain cell communication.
These drugs are also effective in treating anxiety disorders, specifically agoraphobia and mixed depression-anxiety states. They are not as effective for pure anxiety and may not help in panic attacks. The effectiveness of MAOIs is due to the fact that they raise levels of norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin in the brain. These neurotransmitters are naturally produced in your body and released into the bloodstream, where they are transported to nerve cells and function as messengers between neurons.
Iproniazid was the very first antidepressant to be developed in 1950. It inhibited monoamine oxidease. This led to the creation of other MAOIs like tranylcypromine or isocarboxazid, that have been around for decades 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 can cause serious withdrawal symptoms if abruptly stopped. They may also cause serious food and drug interactions.
A newer MAOI called MAOA-A, which is a selective and irreversible inhibitor is being investigated for its potential use in treating depression that is not responding to treatment. It is not recommended for use in bipolar disorder as it can precipitate manic symptoms. Selegiline, a newer MAOI (also called Eldepryl or Zelapar) has been researched to treat Parkinson's disease. It blocks monoamine oxidase, however, it does not interfere with other enzymes that break down levodopa the main treatment for Parkinson's. These medications can be taken in conjunction with other antidepressants. MAOIs can trigger hyperreflexia as well as increased neuromuscular excitability in some patients.
drugs for anxiety disorder can manifest as muscle twitching or eyelid flickering. These reactions may be more common when the drugs are consumed with certain foods such as aged cheeses or cured meats.