Medications For Anxiety Disorder and Depression
Many people find that medications help them manage anxiety. However they aren't the only option. Exercise and psychotherapy can also be effective treatments.
Certain antidepressants are effective in treating anxiety as well, such as SSRIs, like citalopram (Celexa), the escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac) and paroxetine (Paxil) and sertraline (Zoloft). Others, like histamine blockers such as Vistaril (hydroxyzine) can provide relief.
Antidepressants
If you've been diagnosed with depression, your doctor might prescribe medication as part of your treatment plan. Antidepressants are among the most commonly prescribed drugs, come in many different types. The type of antidepressant that your provider prescribes will depend on your symptoms, additional medical conditions, and 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. The drugs increase the number of neurotransmitters that are present in your brain, which enhances your mood and reduces anxiety. It could take up to several weeks before antidepressants begin working therefore, be patient.
Benzodiazepines are also prescribed by your physician to treat depression or anxiety. They are fast-acting medicines, and they can be used as a short-term solution to reduce the symptoms of anxiety and depression. Examples of benzodiazepines include alprazolam and lorazepam. They block the action of adrenaline and noradrenaline which are hormones involved in the fight or flight reaction.
Monoamine oxidase inhibiters are an antidepressant type older that can be effective in treating anxiety and depression. These are often prescribed to people 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.
Inform your doctor if are taking an antidepressant with a prescription. This includes vitamins and supplements. You may need to reduce the dosage if you are taking other medications that interfere with how antidepressants work or if there are adverse effects. Seek help immediately if you have thoughts of suicide.
There are many signs of depression and anxiety, or you could have a combination of depression and anxiety. People who have comorbid depression and anxiety have a less favorable medical prognosis than those who have only one disorder. Certain psychiatric drugs have been shown to be particularly helpful in treating both disorders for people with comorbid depression and anxiety.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines can relieve anxiety symptoms, such as alprazolam, clonazepam, chlordiazep diazepam, lorazepam, and diazepam. These medications affect the central nervous system's benzodiazepine receptors which are protein molecules consisting of five transmembrane components that create a benzyl-chloride channel in the middle. The benzodiazepine receptors also have an affinity site for the inhibitory neurotransmitter, gamma-aminobutryic acid type A (GABA-A). The benzodiazepines work by increasing the GABA-A concentration, thus decreasing nerve activity and relaxing muscles.
Benzodiazepines are renowned for their rapid onset but also high risks of dependence and addiction. Antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, and buspirone all have a longer onset of action but are better options for long-term use since they don't cause tolerance or create addiction.
Depression is often found to be associated with anxiety disorders, and antidepressants can help reduce the depressive symptoms caused by anxiety. However, many people suffering from depression experience a combination of both anxious and depressive symptoms and will need an array of medications and talk therapy to control all their symptoms.
In these cases benzodiazepines may be used for brief periods of time to manage depression and anxiety symptoms until other medication takes effect. These medications are usually prescribed for a short amount of time, and not daily. Taking benzodiazepines for extended periods of time may cause withdrawal symptoms, such as shaking and difficulty sleeping and insomnia, so these drugs should only be used as directed by your physician.
If you're considering taking benzodiazepines in the future, inform your doctor about any previous dependence or substance abuse issues and any other mental health problems you may have. Your doctor can talk about possible side effects and recommend other treatments for depression, if needed.
Benzodiazepines can cause serious and even life-threatening complications if you take too much or have never previously used them. If you are breastfeeding or pregnant, or if you have a history with liver disease, respiratory or digestive issues or liver disease your doctor might limit the duration of treatment or recommend lower doses. Alcohol can negatively interact with benzodiazepines, thereby increasing the risk of side effects and dependence. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking these drugs.
Beta-blockers
Beta-blockers are a drug that can aid in the control of anxiety symptoms. They are a different kind of drug from benzodiazepines such as Xanax, and they are able to block receptors that adrenaline binds to. They also reduce the activity of the nervous system and brain. They can be an alternative to benzodiazepines which have a higher chance of dependence and addiction.
Beta blockers are often prescribed to treat heart problems and are effective in treating anxiety as they reduce blood pressure and slow down the heart rate. They aren't FDA-approved to treat anxiety disorder. They are typically used "off label" to treat this condition and are a great alternative when other anti-anxiety medications do not offer relief or do not have acceptable adverse effects. They are especially efficient in cases of performance anxiety and social anxiety, where uncomfortable symptoms can arise when you are experiencing events that trigger anxiety.
They can be used in conjunction with other treatment methods like CBT and SSRIs. They are especially useful as an alternative therapy for people suffering from GAD. GAD is characterized by constant and recurring anxiety that can hinder daily activities. They can also aid in managing the physical symptoms of anxiety, like the racing heart or the increased sweating.
While beta-blockers can help to alleviate physical symptoms of anxiety, they cannot solve the mental issues that cause the anxiety. They are designed to complement other treatments, such as SSRIs or benzodiazepines. Before you start taking beta-blockers, it is essential to discuss with your doctor your medical history and any other health issues.
These drugs are associated with reduced psychiatric admissions and suicidal behavior, but the results may differ based on the specific psychiatric diagnosis and past psychiatric histories. Additionally, they are linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular-related events in certain patients.
There are some natural products that have beta-blocker properties, however, they aren't as effective as prescription medications. These include antioxidants, as well as saffron, garlic and potassium. These natural supplements are not completely understood. Certain of these products can cause serious side-effects, therefore it is best to consult a physician prior to taking these supplements.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
MAOIs alter the way that your brain functions. They block the function of an enzyme known as monoamine oxidase. This enzyme breaks down the chemical serotonin and norepinephrine, which enable brain cells to communicate with each with each other. By blocking monoamine oxide, MAOIs allow more of these chemical messengers to stay in your brain. This enhances brain cell communication and boosts your mood.
These drugs are also effective in treating anxiety disorders . This includes agoraphobia mixed depression and anxiety states. However, they are less effective in pure anxiety states and may not help with panic attacks. The effectiveness of MAOIs is connected to the fact that they increase levels of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin in the brain. These neurotransmitters are produced naturally by your body, and are then released into the bloodstream, where they are transported to nerve cells and function as a messenger between neurons.
The first antidepressant to be developed in the 1950s was iproniazid which blocked monoamine oxidase. This led to the creation of other MAOIs such as tranylcypromine and isocarboxazid. These have long been known 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 may cause interactions with food and drugs, and could cause severe withdrawal syndrome if stopped suddenly, MAOIs are typically only prescribed to patients who are unable to respond to other treatments.
A newer MAOI, MAOA-A, a selective, irreversible inhibitor is being investigated to determine its effectiveness in treating depression that is not responding to treatment. It is not recommended to use in bipolar disorder as it can cause manic symptoms. Selegiline, a more recent MAOI (also called Zelapar or Eldepryl) is being studied for Parkinson's treatment. It blocks monoamine oxidese but it does not alter other enzymes that break down levodopa, the primary treatment for Parkinson's. These medications can be taken alone or in combination with other antidepressants. In certain patients, the MAOIs can trigger a reaction that causes increased neuromuscular excitability and hyperreflexia. This can manifest itself as a twitching of the muscles or eyelid moving. These reactions are more frequent when these medications are taken in conjunction with certain food items like aged cheeses and preserved meats.