Medications For Anxiety Disorder and Depression
Many people discover that medications help them manage anxiety. However they're not the only option. Exercise and psychotherapy can be effective treatments, too.
Certain antidepressants can treat anxiety as well, such as SSRIs like citalopram (Celexa), the escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil) and sertraline (Zoloft). Others, like histamine blockers such as 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 kinds. The type you choose by your doctor 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 that nerve cells in your brain communicate. They work by increasing the number of neurotransmitters that are present in your brain, which improves your mood and anxiety. It can take several weeks for antidepressants to begin to work therefore, be patient.
The benzodiazepines are an alternative your doctor may recommend to treat depression and anxiety. They are fast-acting medicines and are employed as a temporary solution to alleviate the immediate symptoms of depression and anxiety. Benzodiazepines include alprazolam, lorazepam and others. They inhibit the actions of noradrenaline and adrenaline, which are hormones that are involved in the body's fight or flee response.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors are a more traditional type of antidepressant that can be effective in treating anxiety and depression. They are usually prescribed to people who haven't responded to other antidepressants. They also require changes in diet to prevent hypertensive interactions caused by the amino acid tyramine.
Tell your doctor if you are taking an antidepressant with a prescription. This includes vitamins and other supplements. You might need to reduce your dosage if you're using other medicines that affect how well antidepressants function, or if they cause adverse effects. Contact a doctor immediately if are thinking of suicide.
You might have different symptoms of depression and anxiety or you might have comorbid depression and anxiety. People who have comorbid depression and anxiety have a poorer medical prognosis than people who have only one disorder. Certain psychiatric drugs have been shown to be particularly effective in treating both disorders in people who suffer from comorbid depression and anxiety.
Benzodiazepines
Anxiety-related symptoms can be alleviated by benzodiazepines, including alprazolam (Xanax) and the clonazepam (Klonopin) and chlordiazepoxide (Librium) diazepam (Valium) and lorazepam (Ativan). These medications act on the benzodiazepine-receptors in the central nervous system, which are 5 transmembrane protein molecules that make up a benzylchloride-channel at the center. The benzodiazepine receptors have an affinity site for the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutryic acid type A (GABA-A). The benzodiazepines inhibit nerve activity by increasing GABA-A levels.
The benzodiazepines have a fast start of action, but they are also at risk of dependence and addiction. Antipsychotics and antidepressants, along with anticonvulsants and buspirone have a slower time of action, but are still better for long-term usage, since they do not produce tolerance or addiction.
Depression and anxiety disorders are often co-occurring, and antidepressants can reduce depression symptoms that are associated with anxiety. However, many sufferers of depression experience a combination of depressive and anxious symptoms and will require an array of medications and talk therapy to control all of their symptoms.
In these instances benzodiazepines may be employed for brief intervals of time to control depression and anxiety symptoms until other medication takes effect. These medications are usually prescribed for a short amount of time, and not daily. These medications should not be used for extended periods of time as they may trigger withdrawal symptoms, such as shaking or trouble sleeping.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any issues with dependence, addiction, or mental health. Your doctor will be able to discuss potential adverse effects and suggest other medications to treat your depression, if required.
Benzodiazepines can create serious and even life-threatening complications when you take too much or have not previously used them. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have a history of liver disease or respiratory or digestive disorders or liver disease, your doctor may limit the duration of treatment or recommend lower doses. Alcohol can interact negatively with benzodiazepines, increasing the chance of adverse effects and dependence. You should avoid drinking alcohol while taking these drugs.
Beta-blockers
Beta-blockers are a medication that can reduce anxiety symptoms. They are a different kind of drug than benzodiazepines like Xanax, and they work by blocking receptors that adrenaline binds. They also reduce brain and nervous system activity. They could be a good alternative to benzodiazepines which come with a higher risk of dependence and addiction.
Beta blockers, which lower blood pressure and slow the heart rate, are often prescribed to treat heart conditions. They can also be beneficial for treating anxiety. They are not FDA-approved to treat anxiety disorder. They are often used "off label" to treat this condition, and are a good alternative if other anti-anxiety drugs do not provide relief or have unacceptable adverse effects. They are particularly effective in situations of social and performance anxiety, where physical symptoms can be experienced in situations that cause anxiety.
They can be used in conjunction with other treatment modalities such as CBT and SSRIs. They are particularly effective as an addition therapy for people suffering from GAD that is characterized by frequent and persistent worry that affects daily activities. They can also assist in managing the physical symptoms of anxiety, such as a racing heart or increased sweating.
Beta-blockers can help ease physical symptoms of anxiety, but they don't address the underlying psychological issues which contribute to the condition. They are most effective as a complement to other treatments, such as SSRIs and benzodiazepines. It is crucial to discuss your medical history and other health concerns with your doctor prior to taking beta-blockers.
The use of these drugs is associated with reduced suicidal and psychiatric hospitalisations however, the outcomes vary according to the specific psychiatric diagnosis and past psychiatric history. Additionally they are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events in some patients.
panic anxiety disorder have similar properties to beta-blockers, but are not as efficient. They include antioxidants as well as saffron, garlic, and potassium. These natural products are not fully comprehended. Some of these supplements may cause serious side adverse effects, therefore it is best to consult a physician before taking them.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) function by altering the way your brain functions. They interfere with the activity of an enzyme called monoamine oxidase. It reduces the chemical compounds norepinephrine and serotonin, which allow your brain cells to communicate with one and each other. By blocking monoamine oxidase, MAOIs help to keep more chemical messengers in your brain, which improves your mood by enhancing brain cell communication.
These medications are also effective for treating anxiety disorders. This includes agoraphobia as well as mixed depression and anxiety states. However, they are not as effective in pure anxiety states and may not be helpful in panic attacks. The MAOIs' effectiveness has been linked to their capability to increase serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine levels in the brain. These neurotransmitters, naturally produced by the body and released into bloodstreams where they are absorbed by nerve cells and function as messengers.
The first antidepressant that was developed in the 1950s was Iproniazid, which inhibited monoamine oxidase. This led to the creation of additional MAOIs, such as tranylcypromine and isocarboxazid, which 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 can also trigger dangerous interactions with food and drugs.
A newer version of MAOI, known as an irreversible and selective MAO-A inhibitor, is being investigated for use in treatment resistant depression. It is not recommended to use in bipolar disorder, because it could trigger manic symptoms. Another newer MAOI, selegiline (Eldepryl or Zelapar), is being studied for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. It blocks monoamine oxidase, but does not affect the other enzymes that breakdown levodopa, which is the primary treatment for Parkinson's. These medications may be used alone or in combination with other antidepressants. In certain patients, the MAOIs could trigger a reaction that causes increased neuromuscular excitability and hyper-reflexia. This may manifest as muscle twitching or eyelid flickering. These reactions are more frequent when these medications are used in conjunction with certain food items such as aged cheeses or preserved meats.