Medications For Anxiety Disorder and Depression
Many people find that medications help them manage anxiety. However they're not the only solution. Exercise and psychotherapy can be effective treatments, too.
Certain antidepressants, such as SSRIs (citalopram, Lexapro, fluoxetine, Prozac, paroxetine, Zoloft) also help with anxiety. Others, such as histamine blockers such as Vistaril (hydroxyzine) can help relieve anxiety.
Antidepressants
If you're diagnosed with depression, your doctor might prescribe medication as part of a treatment program. Antidepressants, among the most commonly prescribed medications are available in a variety of kinds. The type your provider chooses depends 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. They work by altering the way that nerve cells in your brain communicate. They do this by increasing the levels of certain neurotransmitters, which helps improve mood and anxiety. Antidepressants can take a while to produce results, so take your time and stick with your regimen.
The benzodiazepines are an alternative your doctor might use to treat depression and anxiety. These are very fast-acting medications, and they can be utilized as a short-term remedy to reduce the symptoms of depression and anxiety. Examples of benzodiazepines include alprazolam and lorazepam. They block the action of adrenaline and noradrenaline which are hormones that participate in the fight or flight response.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors are an antidepressant of a different type that can be effective in treating depression and anxiety. They are usually prescribed to those who have not had a response to other antidepressants. They also require dietary changes in order to avoid hypertensive reactions caused by the amino acid tyramine.
If you're taking an antidepressant prescription be sure to inform your doctor of all other medicines you're taking, such as supplements and vitamins. You may need to lower the dosage if other medications affect the way antidepressants work or if you experience negative side effects. If you think you're having thoughts of suicide, get assistance immediately from a health care professional.
You may have different signs of depression and anxiety or you could have a combination of depression and anxiety. Patients with comorbid depression as well as anxiety suffer from a worse medical prognosis than people who suffer from either disorder on their own. Certain psychiatric drugs have been proven to be particularly effective in treating both disorders for people with a comorbidity of anxiety and depression.
Benzodiazepines
Anxiety symptoms can be relieved by benzodiazepines. These include alprazolam (Xanax) as well as Clonazepam (Klonopin) and chlordiazepoxide (Librium), diazepam (Valium) and lorazepam (Ativan). These drugs act on the central nervous system's benzodiazepine receptors, which are protein molecules comprised of five transmembrane subunits which form a benzyl chloride channel in the central. The benzodiazepine receptors have an affinity site for the inhibitory neurotransmitter, gamma-aminobutryic acid type A (GABA-A). The benzodiazepines decrease 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 longer onset of action however they are the best choice for long-term use because they don't cause tolerance or create addiction.
Depression is often found to be a comorbidity of anxiety disorders, and antidepressants can help alleviate the symptoms of depression that are a result of anxiety. However, many sufferers of depression experience a mixture of depressive and anxious symptoms and will need the combination of medication and therapy to manage all their symptoms.
In these cases, benzodiazepines can be employed for brief intervals of time to control depression and anxiety symptoms until another medication takes effect. The medications are typically prescribed for a short period of time, but not on a daily basis. These medications should not be taken for long periods of time because they can trigger withdrawal symptoms such as shaking or difficulty sleeping.
Inform your doctor if you have ever had issues with dependence, addiction, or mental health. Your doctor can inform you about possible adverse effects, and recommend other medications if needed to treat depression.
If you've never taken benzodiazepines before, or if you use them frequently they could cause grave and sometimes fatal complications. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding or have a history with liver disease or other digestive or respiratory disorders or liver disease, your doctor may limit the duration of treatment or prescribe lower doses. Alcohol can interact negatively with benzodiazepines, thereby increasing the chance of adverse effects and dependence. You should avoid drinking alcohol while taking these medicines.
Beta-blockers
Beta-blockers are a drug that can aid in the control of anxiety symptoms. They are a form of medication that is different from benzodiazepines such as Xanax and block the receptors to which adrenaline binds. They also reduce brain and nervous system activity. They could be a good alternative to benzodiazepines that are more prone to the risk of addiction and dependence.
Beta blockers are often prescribed to treat heart problems and are effective in treating anxiety as they lower blood pressure and slow down the heart rate. They are not FDA-approved for treating anxiety disorders. These medications are used "off-label" to treat anxiety disorders. They are a great alternative if other antianxiety drugs aren't working or have undesirable side consequences. They are particularly efficient in cases of social and performance anxiety, where physical symptoms can occur during events that trigger anxiety.
They can also be used in conjunction with other treatment methods like CBT or SSRIs. They are especially useful as an adjunct therapy for those suffering from GAD. GAD is characterized by persistent and frequent anxiety that can hinder daily activities. They can also aid in managing physical symptoms of anxiety such as a racing pulse or increased sweating.
Beta-blockers can ease physical symptoms of anxiety, but they don't address the underlying psychological issues which contribute to the condition. They can be used to complement other treatments like benzodiazepines or SSRIs. Before taking beta-blockers, it is important to discuss with your doctor your medical history and any other health issues.
The use of these medications is associated with a decrease in suicidal and psychiatric hospitalisations However, the results differ according to the specific psychiatric diagnosis and psychiatric history prior to the diagnosis. In certain patients, they could increase the risk of heart attacks.
Some natural products have the same properties as beta-blockers but aren't as effective. These include antioxidants as well as saffron, garlic, and potassium. The effectiveness of these natural products is not fully known. Some of these supplements may cause serious side effects, so it's recommended to consult a doctor before taking them.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) function by altering the way your brain works. They interfere with the activity of an enzyme called monoamine oxidase. It breaks down the chemicals norepinephrine and serotonin, which allow your brain cells to communicate with one and each other. By blocking monoamine oxide, MAOIs allow more of these chemical messengers to remain in your brain. This improves brain cell communication, and elevates your mood.
These drugs are also effective in treating anxiety disorders. This includes anxiety mixed depression and anxiety states. They are less effective for pure anxiety and may not help in a panic attack. The MAOIs' effectiveness has been linked to their capacity to increase serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine levels inside the brain. These neurotransmitters are produced naturally in your body and released into the bloodstream, where they travel to nerve cells and act as a messenger between neurons.
The first antidepressant to be developed in the 1950s was iproniazid that inhibited monoamine oxide. This led to the creation of additional MAOIs, such as tranylcypromine and isocarboxazid. These have been used for a long time to combat depression. MAOIs are usually prescribed after other types of antidepressants, such as tricyclic antidepressants or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, have been tried without success. Because they can cause interactions with food and drugs and may cause serious withdrawal syndrome if stopped suddenly, MAOIs are typically only used for patients who fail to respond to other treatments.
A newer MAOI, MAOA-A, a selective, irreversible inhibitor is being investigated to determine its effectiveness in treating depression resistant to treatment. It is not recommended for use in bipolar disorder as it can cause manic symptoms. Selegiline, a more recent MAOI (also known as Eldepryl or Zelapar) has been researched for treatment of Parkinson's disease. It blocks monoamine oxidase but does not affect the other enzymes which breakdown levodopa, which is the main treatment for Parkinson’s. These drugs can be taken either on their own or in combination with other antidepressants. generalized anxiety disorder can trigger hyperreflexia as well as increased neuromuscular excitation in some patients. This may manifest as muscle twitching or eyelid moving. These reactions could be more common if the drugs are consumed in conjunction with certain foods, such as aged cheeses or preserved meats.