Medications For Anxiety Disorder and Depression
Medications help many people manage anxiety, but they're not the only solution. Exercise and psychotherapy can be powerful treatments too.
Certain antidepressants, including SSRIs (citalopram, Lexapro, fluoxetine, Prozac, paroxetine, Zoloft) also treat anxiety. Others, such as histamine blockers like Vistaril (hydroxyzine) can also provide relief.
Antidepressants
Your doctor could prescribe medication to treat depression. Antidepressants are among the most frequently prescribed medications are available in a variety of kinds. The type your provider chooses is based on the severity of your symptoms, any other medical conditions you suffer from, and your the goals of your treatment.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are among the most commonly prescribed antidepressants. These medications alter the way that your brain's nerve cells communicate. They work by increasing the quantity of neurotransmitters in your brain which helps improve your mood and reduces anxiety. It can take several weeks before antidepressants begin to work therefore, be patient.
The benzodiazepines are an alternative your doctor could recommend to treat depression and anxiety. These drugs are fast-acting and can help alleviate depression and anxiety symptoms in a short time. Examples of benzodiazepines are lorazepam and alprazolam. They block the actions of noradrenaline and adrenaline which are hormones that play a role in the body's fight or flee response.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors are an antidepressant of a different type that is effective in treating depression and anxiety. They're often reserved for people who aren't responding to other types of antidepressants, and they require changes in diet to prevent hypertensive reactions caused by interactions with amino acids tyramine.
Tell your doctor if you are taking an antidepressant with a prescription. This includes vitamins and supplements. You might need to reduce your dose if you're taking other medicines that affect how well antidepressants function or if they trigger adverse effects. If you're worried that you're experiencing thoughts of suicide, seek assistance immediately from a medical professional.
You might have different symptoms of anxiety and depression, or you could have a combination of depression and anxiety. People who have comorbid depression and anxiety have a poorer medical prognosis than those who have only one disorder. Certain psychiatric medications have been found to be particularly effective in treating both disorders in those with a comorbidity of anxiety and depression.
Benzodiazepines
Anxiety symptoms can be alleviated through benzodiazepines, including alprazolam (Xanax), Clonazepam (Klonopin), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), diazepam (Valium) and lorazepam (Ativan). These medications affect the central nervous system's benzodiazepine receptors which are protein molecules consisting of five transmembrane subunits which create a benzyl-chloride channel in the central. The benzodiazepine receptors have an association site for the inhibitory neurotransmitter, gamma-aminobutryic acid type A (GABA-A). The benzodiazepines increase the concentration of GABA-A, decreasing nerve activity and relaxing muscles.
Benzodiazepines are renowned 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 but are better options for long-term use since they don't produce dependence or tolerance.
Depression is often found to be associated with anxiety disorders, and antidepressants can help alleviate the symptoms of depression caused by anxiety. However, many people suffering from depression suffer from a mix of depressive and anxious symptoms and require a combination of medication and talk therapy to control all their symptoms.
In these instances benzodiazepines may be utilized for short periods of time to manage anxiety and depression symptoms until other medication takes effect. The medications are typically prescribed for a short amount of time, but not for daily. These medications should not be taken for prolonged periods of time as they may 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 talk to you about possible side effects, and suggest other medications if needed to treat depression.
If you have never used benzodiazepines in the past or use them frequently, they can cause serious and sometimes fatal side effects. If you are breastfeeding or pregnant or have a history of liver disease or other digestive or respiratory diseases or liver disease, your doctor may reduce the duration of treatment or prescribe lower doses. Alcohol can interact negatively with benzodiazepines and increase the chance of adverse effects and dependence. You should avoid drinking alcohol while taking these medicines.
Beta-blockers
Beta-blockers are a medication that can help control anxiety symptoms. They are a kind of medication that is different from benzodiazepines, such as Xanax and block the receptors that adrenaline binds. They also reduce the activity of the nervous system and brain. They can be used in lieu of benzodiazepines, which are more addictive and have a higher dependency risk.
Beta blockers, that reduce blood pressure and slow the heart rate, are commonly prescribed to treat heart conditions. They are also beneficial in treating anxiety. They are not FDA-approved for treating anxiety disorder. They are often employed "off label" for this purpose and are a viable alternative if other anti-anxiety drugs do not provide relief or have unacceptable side effects. They are especially efficient in cases of social anxiety and performance anxiety, where uncomfortable symptoms can arise in situations that cause anxiety.
They can be utilized in conjunction with other treatment modalities like CBT and SSRIs. They are especially useful as an alternative therapy for those suffering from GAD. GAD is characterized by persistent and frequent anxiety that can hinder daily activities. They can also help manage physical symptoms of anxiety, such as a racing pulse or increased sweating.
Although beta-blockers can assist in helping alleviate physical symptoms of anxiety, they don't tackle the mental issues that cause the condition. They are best used to complement other treatments such as SSRIs or benzodiazepines. It is important to discuss your medical history as well as any other health issues with your doctor prior to taking beta-blockers.
These medications are associated with decreased psychiatric admissions and suicidal behaviors, however the results can vary depending on the specific psychiatric diagnoses and past psychiatric histories. In addition they are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events in some patients.
Some natural ingredients have similar properties to beta-blockers, but are not as efficient. These include antioxidants as well as garlic, saffron and potassium. These natural supplements are not completely understood. Certain of these products could cause serious adverse side effects, so it is best to consult with a physician before taking these supplements.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) work by changing the way your brain functions. They interfere with the monoamine oxide enzyme, which breaks down chemicals like serotonin, norepinephrine and other chemical compounds that let your brain cells to communicate with one another. By blocking monoamine oxidase, MAOIs help to keep more chemical messengers in your brain, which boosts your mood by enhancing brain cell communication.
These drugs are also effective in treating anxiety disorders , particularly anxiety disorders like agoraphobia and mixed depression and anxiety states. They are not as effective for pure anxiety and may not help in panic attacks. The effectiveness of MAOIs has been linked to their capability to increase serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine levels within the brain. These neurotransmitters, which are produced naturally in the body and released into bloodstreams where they travel to nerves cells and serve as messengers.
The first antidepressant that was 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 long been known to help 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 trigger severe withdrawal symptoms if abruptly stopped. They can also have serious food and drug interactions.
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 to use in bipolar disorder since it can cause manic symptoms. Selegiline, a newer MAOI (also known as Eldepryl or Zelapar) is being studied to treat Parkinson's disease. It blocks monoamine oxidase but does not affect the other enzymes that break down levodopa - the primary treatment for Parkinson's. These drugs can be taken as a stand-alone treatment or in combination with other antidepressants. MAOIs may cause hyperreflexia and increased neuromuscular excitation in certain patients. This can manifest as muscle twitching, eyelid twitching and other signs. These reactions are more common when these medications are taken together with certain foods such as aged cheeses or cured meats.