Medications For Anxiety Disorder and Depression
The use of medication can help a lot of people manage anxiety, but they aren't the only solution. Exercise and psychotherapy are effective treatments, too.
Certain antidepressants, such as SSRIs (citalopram, Lexapro, fluoxetine, Prozac, paroxetine, Zoloft) also treat anxiety. Other medications, such as histamine blockers, such as Vistaril (hydroxyzine), can also help relieve anxiety.
Antidepressants
If you've been diagnosed with depression, your doctor may prescribe medication as part of your treatment plan. Antidepressants are one of the most common prescription drugs and there are numerous kinds to choose from. The type you choose by your doctor is based on the severity of your symptoms and any other medical issues you suffer from, and your the treatment goals.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are among the most commonly prescribed antidepressants. They alter the way nerve cells within your brain communicate. They do this by increasing the amount of certain neurotransmitters, which enhances mood and anxiety. Antidepressants can take a while to yield results, so be patient and adhere to your treatment.
Benzodiazepines are a different option that your doctor may recommend to treat depression and anxiety. These drugs are fast-acting and can help reduce depression and anxiety symptoms in a short period of time. Examples of benzodiazepines include alprazolam and lorazepam. They inhibit the actions of adrenaline and noradrenaline hormones, which play a role in the body's fight or flee response.
Monoamine inhibitors of oxidase are a type of antidepressant which can be effective in treating depression and anxiety. These are often prescribed to people who have not responded to other antidepressants. They also require changes in diet in order to avoid hypertensive reactions caused by the amino acid tyramine.
Tell your doctor if are taking an antidepressant with a prescription. This includes vitamins and other supplements. You might need to reduce your dose if you're taking other medicines that affect how well antidepressants function or cause negative side effects. Get help immediately if you are thinking of suicide.
You might have different symptoms of depression and anxiety, or you might have comorbid 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 medications have been found to be particularly effective in treating both disorders for people who suffer from comorbid depression and anxiety.
Benzodiazepines
Anxiety symptoms can be relieved through benzodiazepines. These include alprazolam (Xanax), 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 components that create 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 work by increasing the concentration of GABA-A, thereby decreasing nerve activity and relaxing muscles.
disorders anxiety have a rapid start of action, but they are also at risk for dependence and addiction. Antipsychotics and antidepressants as well as anticonvulsants and buspirone are slower in the onset of action, but are still better for long-term usage, since they do not cause tolerance or addiction.
Anxiety and depression are often comorbid, and antidepressants may help reduce symptoms of depression that are linked with anxiety. However, many sufferers of depression experience a combination of both anxious and depressive symptoms and will require the combination of medication and talk therapy to control all of their symptoms.
In these situations benzodiazepines are utilized for short durations to treat depression and anxiety symptoms until other medications take effect. The medications are typically prescribed for a brief period of time, but not for daily. These medications should not be used for prolonged periods of time because they can trigger withdrawal symptoms such as shaking or difficulty sleeping.
If you're considering taking benzodiazepines, inform your doctor about any prior dependence or substance abuse issues, as well as any other mental health problems you may have. Your doctor can talk about possible adverse effects and suggest other treatment options for your depression, if required.
If you've never taken benzodiazepines in the past or use them frequently, they can cause serious and even fatal complications. If you are breastfeeding, pregnant or have a history of liver disease, digestive or respiratory disorders your doctor may suggest lower doses or reduce the time you are treated with these drugs. Alcohol can negatively interact with benzodiazepines and increase the risk of side effects and dependence. You should avoid drinking alcohol while taking these medicines.
Beta-blockers
Beta-blockers are a medication to control anxiety symptoms. They are a different kind of drug from benzodiazepines like Xanax and are able to block receptors that adrenaline binds. They also slow brain and nervous system activities. They can be used in lieu of benzodiazepines which are more addictive and have a higher dependency risk.
Beta blockers, which lower blood pressure and slow heart rate, are often prescribed to treat heart problems. They can also be beneficial for treating anxiety. However, they are not specifically approved by the FDA for the treatment of anxiety disorder s. These medications are used "off-label" to treat anxiety disorders. They are an excellent alternative if other antianxiety drugs do not work or cause unacceptable side consequences. They are especially effective in cases of performance anxiety and social anxiety, where physical symptoms can occur when an event triggers anxiety.
They can be used in combination with other treatment options like CBT and SSRIs. They are particularly effective as an alternative therapy for people with GAD. GAD is characterized by constant and recurring anxiety that can hinder everyday activities. They can also help manage physical symptoms of anxiety such as a racing heart or increased sweating.
Beta-blockers may help manage anxiety-related physical symptoms, but they do not address the underlying psychological issues that cause the condition. They are best used as a complement to other treatments like SSRIs and benzodiazepines. Before taking beta-blockers, it is important to talk to your doctor about your medical history and any other health issues.
These drugs are linked to decreased psychiatric admissions and suicidal behavior, however the results can vary depending on the specific psychiatric diagnosis and previous psychiatric histories. In addition, they are linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular events in some patients.
Certain natural products have similar properties to beta-blockers but aren't as efficient. These include antioxidants, garlic, Saffron and potassium. The effectiveness of these natural supplements is not yet fully known. Certain of these supplements can cause serious side adverse effects, therefore it is recommended to consult an expert before taking them.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
MAOIs alter the way your mind works. They interfere with the activity of an enzyme called monoamine oxidase, which breaks down the chemical serotonin and norepinephrine, which allow brain cells to communicate with one other. By blocking monoamine oxide, MAOIs allow more of these chemical messengers to stay in your brain. This enhances brain cell communication and elevates your mood.
These medications are also effective for treating anxiety disorders. This includes anxiety as well as mixed depression and anxiety states. However, they are not as effective in states of pure anxiety and may not be helpful in panic attacks. The effectiveness of MAOIs has been linked to their capacity to boost serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine levels in the brain. These neurotransmitters are produced naturally by your body, and are then released into the bloodstream, from where they travel to nerve cells and act as messengers between neurons.
Iproniazid was the very first antidepressant to be developed in the year 1950. It inhibited monoamine oxidease. This led to the development of other MAOIs, such as tranylcypromine and isocarboxazid, which 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 suddenly stopped. They can also trigger serious drug and food interactions.
A newer type of MAOI, called an irreversible and selective MAO-A inhibitor, is being studied for use in treatment resistant depression. It is not recommended to treatment of bipolar disorder as it can precipitate manic symptoms. Another newer MAOI, selegiline (Eldepryl or Zelapar) is being investigated for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. It blocks monoamine oxidese but does not affect other enzymes which breakdown levodopa, which is the main treatment for Parkinson’s. These medications may be used as a stand-alone treatment or in conjunction with other antidepressants. In certain patients, the MAOIs could cause a reaction that results in increased neuromuscular excitability and hyperreflexia. This can manifest as a twitching of the muscles or eyelid twitching. These reactions can be more common when these medications are used in conjunction with certain foods, such as aged cheeses or preserved meats.