Medications For Anxiety Disorder and Depression
Medications help many people manage anxiety, but they aren't the only solution. Psychotherapy and exercise can be effective treatments.
Some antidepressants work to treat anxiety as well, such as SSRIs such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro) and fluoxetine (Prozac) and paroxetine (Paxil) and sertraline (Zoloft). Others, like histamine blockers such as Vistaril (hydroxyzine) can also help relieve anxiety.
Antidepressants
Your doctor could prescribe medication to treat depression. Antidepressants are one of the most frequently prescribed drugs and there are numerous kinds to choose from. The type you choose by your doctor depends on the severity of your symptoms and any other medical issues 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 nerve cells within your brain communicate. They do this by increasing the levels of certain neurotransmitters, which enhances mood and anxiety. Antidepressants can take a while to produce results, so be patient and adhere to your treatment.
Benzodiazepines can also be prescribed by your doctor to treat anxiety or depression. These medications are fast-acting and can help reduce depression and anxiety symptoms within a short amount of time. Examples of benzodiazepines include lorazepam and alprazolam. They block the actions of noradrenaline and adrenaline which are hormones involved in the fight or flight response.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors are an older kind of antidepressant that is also effective in treating anxiety and depression. They are usually reserved for those who aren't responding to other antidepressants. They require changes in diet to prevent hypertensive reactions triggered by interactions with amino acids like tyramine.
If you're taking a prescription antidepressant inform your doctor about all other medicines you're taking, including supplements and vitamins. You may have to decrease the dose if other medications interfere with how antidepressants function or if there are negative side effects. If you think you're having thoughts of suicide, get help right away from a health care professional.
You may have different signs of anxiety and depression, or you might have comorbid depression and anxiety. Those with comorbid depression and anxiety have a less favorable medical prognosis than people who suffer from either disorder on their own. Certain psychiatric medications have been found to be especially helpful in treating both disorders in people who suffer from depression and anxiety comorbidly.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines are a great way to relieve anxiety symptoms, including alprazolam, clonazepam and chlordiazepoxid diazepam and lorazepam. These medications affect the central nervous system's benzodiazepine receptors which are proteins that consist of 5 transmembrane subunits that create a benzyl-chloride channel in the center. The benzodiazepine receptors have an affinity site for the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutryic acid type A (GABA-A). The benzodiazepines reduce nerve activity by increasing the levels of GABA-A.
The Benzodiazepines are famous for their rapid onset, but also for their high risk of dependence and addiction. Antidepressants, anticonvulsants and antipsychotics and buspirone all have a long onset of action but are more suitable for long-term use, as they don't cause tolerance or addiction.
Depression can be associated with anxiety disorder s, and antidepressants may help reduce the depressive symptoms associated with underlying anxiety. However, many people suffering from depression experience a mixture of depressive and anxious symptoms and will require an array of medications and therapy to manage all their symptoms.
In these cases benzodiazepines are utilized for short intervals of time to control depression and anxiety symptoms until other medication takes effect. Typically, these drugs are only prescribed for a few weeks at a time, and are not used on a daily basis. If you take benzodiazepines for long periods of time could cause withdrawal symptoms, such as shaking and trouble sleeping and waking up, so these medications should only be taken according to the instructions of your physician.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any issues with substance abuse, dependence or mental health. Your doctor can talk to you about possible side effects, and can suggest alternative drugs if required to treat depression.
Benzodiazepines can create serious and even life-threatening problems if you take too much or have not used them before. If you are breastfeeding or pregnant, or if you have a history with liver disease, respiratory or digestive diseases or liver disease, your doctor might limit the duration of treatment or recommend lower doses. Alcohol can negatively interact with benzodiazepines and increase the chance of adverse effects and dependence. You should avoid drinking alcohol while taking these medications.
Beta-blockers
Beta-blockers are an aid to manage anxiety symptoms. They are a different kind of drug from benzodiazepines, such as Xanax and work by blocking receptors that adrenaline binds. They also reduce the activity of the nervous system and brain. They can be used as an alternative to benzodiazepines that are more addictive and have a higher dependency risk.
Beta blockers are often prescribed for heart ailments and are effective in treating anxiety since they lower blood pressure and slow the heart rate. They are not FDA-approved to treat anxiety disorders. They are typically used "off label" for this purpose and are a viable alternative when other anti-anxiety medications don't provide relief or have intolerable side effects. They are particularly efficient in cases of social anxiety and performance anxiety, in which uncomfortable symptoms can manifest in situations that cause anxiety.
They can be used in conjunction with other treatment methods such as CBT and SSRIs. They are particularly effective as an add-on treatment for people suffering from GAD, which is characterized by constant and persistent anxiety that can interfere with daily activities. They can also assist in managing physical symptoms of anxiety, such as a racing heart or increased sweating.
Beta-blockers can ease physical symptoms of anxiety, but they do not address the underlying mental issues that contribute to the condition. They are recommended as a supplement to other treatments, such as SSRIs and benzodiazepines. Before you start taking beta-blockers, it is essential to talk to your doctor about your medical history and other health issues.
These drugs are associated with lower psychiatric admissions as well as suicidal behaviors, however the results may differ based on the specific psychiatric diagnoses and previous psychiatric histories. In certain patients, they could increase the risk of cardiovascular events.
There are some natural products that have beta-blocker properties, however they aren't as effective as prescription medications. These include antioxidants, garlic Saffron and potassium. The efficacy of these natural products is not yet fully realized. Certain of these supplements can cause serious adverse side effects, so it is recommended to consult a physician prior to taking these supplements.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
MAOIs affect the way your mind works. They block the activity of an enzyme called monoamine oxidase. This enzyme breaks down the chemical serotonin and norepinephrine that allow brain cells to communicate with each with each other. By blocking monoamine oxidase, MAOIs keep more of these chemical messengers in your brain, which elevates your mood through improved brain cell communication.
These medications are also effective in treating anxiety disorders, specifically anxiety-related disorders such as agoraphobia, mixed depression and anxiety. However, they are not as effective in pure anxiety states and may not help with panic attacks. The MAOIs' effectiveness has been linked to their ability to increase serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine levels in the brain. These neurotransmitters are naturally produced in your body and then released into the bloodstream, where they travel to nerve cells, and act as a messenger between neurons.
Iproniazid was the very first antidepressant to be developed in 1950. It inhibited monoamine oxidease. This led to the development of other MAOIs, such as tranylcypromine isocarboxazid and fluoxetine, which are widely used 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 have serious drug and food interactions.
A newer version of MAOI, dubbed MAO-A, a selective and irreversible inhibitor, is being studied for use in treating resistant depression. It is not recommended to use in bipolar disorder since it can cause manic symptoms. Selegiline, a newer MAOI (also known as Zelapar or Eldepryl) is being studied for Parkinson's treatment. It blocks monoamine oxidase however, it does not alter other enzymes that break down levodopa, the main treatment for Parkinson's. These drugs can be used either on their own or in combination with other antidepressants. In some patients, the MAOIs can cause a reaction that results in increased neuromuscular excitability and hyper-reflexia. This may manifest as muscle twitching or eyelid moving. These reactions may be more frequent if these medications are used in conjunction in conjunction with certain foods, such as aged cheeses or cured meats.