Medications For Anxiety Disorder and Depression
Many people discover that medications help them manage anxiety. However, they are not the only solution. Exercise and psychotherapy can also be effective treatments.
Some antidepressants work to treat anxiety as well, such as SSRIs like citalopram (Celexa) and Escitalopram (Lexapro) and the fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil) and sertraline (Zoloft). Others, such as histamine blockers like Vistaril (hydroxyzine) can help relieve anxiety.
Antidepressants
Your doctor may prescribe medication to treat depression. Antidepressants, one of the most frequently prescribed medications, come in many different types. The type you choose by your doctor is based on the severity of your symptoms as well as any other medical conditions you suffer from, and your treatment goals.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are among the most commonly prescribed antidepressants. They alter the way that nerve cells in your brain communicate. These drugs work by increasing the number of neurotransmitters that are present in your brain which improves your mood and anxiety. It could take up to several weeks for antidepressants to begin working, so be patient.
Benzodiazepines are a different option that 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 ease the immediate symptoms of anxiety and depression. Examples of benzodiazepines include lorazepam and alprazolam. They block the action of noradrenaline and adrenaline which are hormones involved in the fight or flight response.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors are an older kind of antidepressant that can be effective in treating depression and anxiety. They're typically reserved for people who don't respond to other antidepressants. They require dietary changes to avoid hypertensive reactions that result from interactions with the amino acid tyramine.
Tell your doctor if are taking an antidepressant on prescription. This includes vitamins and supplements. You may need to lower your dosage if you're using other medicines that impact the way antidepressants work, or if they cause adverse effects. If you think you're having thoughts of suicide, seek help right away from a health care professional.
You may have different signs of depression and anxiety, or you may have a comorbidity of depression and anxiety. Patients with comorbid depression as well as anxiety have a less favorable medical prognosis than people 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
Benzodiazepines can ease anxiety symptoms, such as alprazolam, clonazepam, chlordiazepoxide diazepam and lorazepam. These drugs act on the central nervous system's benzodiazepine receptors which are protein molecules comprised of five transmembrane components that shape a benzyl chloride channel in the central. The benzodiazepine receptors also possess an affinity site for the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutryic acid type A (GABA-A). The benzodiazepines increase the concentration of GABA-A, thereby decreasing muscle activity and relaxing the muscles.
Benzodiazepines have a rapid time to begin their action, however they are also at risk for dependence and addiction. Antidepressants, anticonvulsants, antipsychotics and buspirone have a longer time to take effect, but are more suitable for long-term use, as they don't produce dependence or tolerance.
Depression and anxiety disorders are often comorbid, and antidepressants can reduce depressive symptoms that are associated with anxiety. However, many sufferers of depression suffer from a mix of depressive and anxious symptoms and require a combination of medication and therapy to manage all their symptoms.
In these situations benzodiazepines are often used for a short time to control depression or anxiety symptoms while other medications work. These medications are usually prescribed for a short period of time, and not on a daily basis. When taking benzodiazepines over a long period of time could cause withdrawal symptoms, such as shaking and difficulty sleeping, so these medications are only to be used according to the instructions of your physician.
Inform your doctor if you have ever had any issues with substance abuse, dependence or mental health. Your doctor can talk about possible side effects and recommend alternative medications to treat your depression, if necessary.
Benzodiazepines can cause serious, even life-threatening problems in the event that you consume too much or have never previously used them. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or have an underlying liver disease or digestive or respiratory problems, your doctor may require lower doses or reduce the duration of your treatment with these medications. Alcohol can interact with benzodiazepines and could increase the risk of adverse effects and dependence, so you should not drink alcohol while taking these medications.
Beta-blockers
Beta-blockers can be used as 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 bonds to. They also slow down 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, which lower blood pressure and slow heart rate, are often prescribed to treat heart problems. They are also beneficial in treating anxiety. They are not FDA-approved to treat anxiety disorder. They are typically used "off label" to treat this condition, and are a good alternative when other anti-anxiety medications do not offer relief or have intolerable side effects. They are particularly effective in cases of social anxiety and performance anxiety, where unpleasant symptoms can occur in situations that cause anxiety.
They can be utilized in conjunction with other treatment methods like CBT and SSRIs. They are particularly effective as an add-on therapy for people suffering from GAD that is characterized by constant and persistent anxiety that interferes with daily life 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 do not address underlying mental issues that contribute to the condition. They can be used to supplement other treatments, like benzodiazepines or SSRIs. Before taking beta-blockers, it is important to discuss with your doctor your medical history as well as any other health concerns.
The use of these drugs has been linked to a reduction in suicidal behavior and psychiatric hospitalisations however, the outcomes vary according to the specific psychiatric diagnosis and the psychiatric history of the past. Additionally they are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular-related events in certain patients.
There are a few natural ingredients that contain beta-blocker-like properties however, they aren't as effective as prescription drugs. These include antioxidants, as well as saffron, garlic, and potassium. These natural ingredients aren't entirely understood. Certain supplements could cause serious side adverse effects, therefore it is best to consult a doctor before taking them.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
MAOIs work by altering the way your mind works. They interfere with an enzyme known as monoamine oxide that breaks down chemicals like serotonin, norepinephrine and other chemicals that allow your brain cells communicate with one another. By blocking monoamine oxide, MAOIs help to keep more chemical messengers in your brain, which boosts your mood due to improved brain cell communication.
These drugs are also effective in treating anxiety disorder s. This includes anxiety mixed depression and anxiety states. They are less effective for pure anxiety, and they may not help in panic attacks. The effectiveness of MAOIs is linked to the fact that they raise levels of norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin in the brain. These neurotransmitters are naturally produced in your body and then released into the bloodstream, from where they travel to nerve cells, and act as messengers between neurons.
Iproniazid was the first antidepressant to be developed in the year 1950. It blocked monoamine oxidease. This led to the development of other MAOIs, such as tranylcypromine isocarboxazid and fluoxetine that are known 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. Because they can have interactions with food and drugs and could cause serious withdrawal syndrome if stopped abruptly, MAOIs are typically only prescribed to patients who are unable to respond to other treatments.
A newer MAOI known as a selective, irreversible MAOA-A inhibitor is being researched for its use in treating depression resistant to treatment. It is not recommended to use in bipolar disorder because it may cause manic symptoms. Selegiline, a more recent MAOI (also called Eldepryl or Zelapar), has been studied to treat Parkinson's disease. It blocks monoamine oxidase, but does not affect other enzymes which break down levodopa, the main treatment for Parkinson’s. These medications can be taken alone or in combination with other antidepressants. In certain patients, MAOIs may trigger a reaction that causes hyper-reflexia and neuromuscular excitability. This can manifest itself as muscle twitching or eyelid moving. These reactions could be more frequent if the drugs are consumed in conjunction with certain foods such as aged cheeses or preserved meats.