Medications For Anxiety Disorder and Depression
Medications help many people manage anxiety, but they're not the only option. Psychotherapy and exercise can be effective treatments too.
Certain antidepressants are effective in treating anxiety as well, such as SSRIs like citalopram (Celexa) and Escitalopram (Lexapro) and fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil) and sertraline (Zoloft). Other medications, such as histamine blockers like Vistaril (hydroxyzine) may also offer relief.
Antidepressants
If you're diagnosed with depression, your doctor may prescribe medication as part of your treatment program. Antidepressants are one of the most common prescription drugs and there are a variety of types to choose from. The type of antidepressant that your provider prescribes will depend on your symptoms, other medical conditions and 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 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 can take up to several weeks before antidepressants start working, so be patient.
Benzodiazepines may also be prescribed by your doctor to treat depression or anxiety. They are fast-acting medicines, and they can be employed as a temporary solution to alleviate the immediate symptoms of anxiety and depression. The Benzodiazepines include lorazepam, alprazolam and other. They block the actions of noradrenaline and adrenaline hormones, which are involved in the body's fight or flight response.
Monoamine oxidase inhibiters are an antidepressant of a different type that can be effective for treating depression and anxiety. They are usually reserved for those who don't respond to other antidepressants. They also require changes in diet to prevent hypertensive reactions that result from interactions with amino acids like tyramine.
Tell your doctor if you are taking an antidepressant under prescription. This includes vitamins and supplements. You may have to decrease the dosage if you are taking other medications that affect the way antidepressants function or if you experience adverse effects. If you suspect you're having thoughts of suicide, get help right away from a medical professional.
You might have different symptoms for anxiety and depression or you could have a comorbidity of depression and anxiety. People who have comorbid anxiety and depression have a worse medical prognosis than those who have only one disorder. Certain psychiatric medications have been proven to be especially helpful in treating both disorders for those who suffer from depression and anxiety comorbidly.
Benzodiazepines
Anxiety symptoms can be relieved by drugs known as benzodiazepines, including alprazolam (Xanax) and clonazepam (Klonopin) as well as chlordiazepoxide (Librium), diazepam (Valium) and lorazepam (Ativan). These medications act on the benzodiazepine receptors of the central nervous system, which are 5 transmembrane proteins that form an benzylchloride channel in the center. The benzodiazepine receptors also have one that binds to the inhibitory neurotransmitter, Gamma aminobutryic type A (GABA A). The benzodiazepines work by increasing the GABA-A concentration, thus decreasing muscle activity and relaxing the muscles.
The benzodiazepines have a fast start of action, but they pose a risk for dependence and addiction. Antidepressants and antipsychotics, as well as anticonvulsants and buspirone have a slower time of action, but are still beneficial for long-term usage, since they do not cause tolerance or addiction.
Depression is often found to be associated with anxiety disorders, and antidepressants can help reduce the depressive symptoms that are a result of anxiety. However, many sufferers of depression experience a mixture of both anxious and depressive symptoms and require an array of medications and talk therapy to control all their symptoms.
In these instances, benzodiazepines may be utilized for a short period of time to manage anxiety or depression symptoms while other medications are in effect. Typically, these medications are prescribed for only just a few weeks at a time, and are not taken daily. If you take benzodiazepines for long periods of time can lead to withdrawal symptoms such as shaking and sleeplessness and waking up, so these medications should only be used according to the prescription of your doctor.
If you are considering taking benzodiazepines, inform your doctor about any prior substance abuse or dependence issues and any other mental health issues you may have. Your doctor can inform you about possible adverse effects, and suggest other medication if necessary to treat depression.
If you have never used benzodiazepines before or if you use them frequently, they can cause serious and even fatal complications. If you are breastfeeding, pregnant or have any history of liver disease or digestive or respiratory disorders, your doctor may require lower doses or restrict the duration of your treatment with these medications. Alcohol can interact negatively with benzodiazepines, increasing the risk of side-effects and dependence. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking these drugs.
medication for anxiety disorder and depression -blockers
Beta-blockers are a drug that can aid in the control of anxiety symptoms. They are a type of medication different from benzodiazepines, such as Xanax and they work by blocking the receptors to which adrenaline binds. They also slow brain and nervous system activity. They can be used as an alternative to benzodiazepines that are more addictive and have a higher dependency risk.
Beta blockers, that reduce blood pressure and slow the heart rate, are often prescribed to treat heart ailments. They are also beneficial in treating anxiety. They are not FDA-approved for treating anxiety disorder. They are typically used "off label" to treat this condition and are a viable alternative when other anti-anxiety medications do not offer relief or have intolerable adverse effects. They are especially effective in situations of performance anxiety and social anxiety, where unpleasant 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 effective as an additional therapy for those with GAD, which is characterized by constant and persistent anxiety that affects daily activities. They can also aid in managing physical symptoms of anxiety, such as a racing heart or increased sweating.
Although beta-blockers can assist in helping alleviate physical symptoms of anxiety, they cannot address the underlying mental issues that cause the anxiety. They can be used to supplement other treatments, like benzodiazepines and SSRIs. Before you begin taking beta-blockers it is crucial to talk with your doctor about your medical history as well as any other health concerns.
These medications are associated with reduced psychiatric admissions and suicidal behavior, but the results can vary depending on the specific psychiatric diagnoses and past psychiatric histories. In addition, they are linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular events in some patients.
There are a few natural products that contain beta-blocker-like properties however, they aren't as effective as prescription drugs. These include antioxidants, garlic the saffron plant, and potassium. These natural supplements are not entirely understood. Certain of these supplements can cause serious adverse side effects, so it's best to consult with a physician prior to taking these supplements.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
MAOIs affect the way that your brain functions. They interfere with the function of an enzyme known as monoamine oxidase. This enzyme breaks down the chemical serotonin and norepinephrine, which allow brain cells to communicate with one with each other. By blocking monoamine oxide, MAOIs keep more chemical messengers in your brain, which boosts your mood by enhancing brain cell communication.
These drugs are also effective for treating anxiety disorders. This includes anxiety mixed depression and anxiety states. However, they are not as efficient in the case of anxiety that is pure and may not help with panic attacks. The MAOIs' effectiveness has been linked to their ability to boost serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine levels within the brain. These neurotransmitters, naturally produced by the body, are released into the bloodstream, where they travel to nerves cells and act as messengers.
The first antidepressant that was developed in the 1950s was iproniazid that inhibited monoamine oxide. This led to the creation of other MAOIs, such as tranylcypromine and isocarboxazid, which have been used for a long time 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. Because they can have interactions with food and drugs and may cause severe withdrawal syndrome if stopped abruptly, MAOIs are typically only utilized for patients who fail to respond to other treatments.
A newer MAOI called MAOA-A, which is a selective and irreversible inhibitor is being studied for its use in treating depression that is not responding to treatment. It is not recommended for use in bipolar disorder because it could trigger manic symptoms. Selegiline, a more recent MAOI (also known as Zelapar or Eldepryl) has been researched for Parkinson's treatment. It blocks monoamine oxidase but does not affect the other enzymes that break down levodopa, the main treatment for Parkinson’s. These medications can be used either on their own or in conjunction with other antidepressants. MAOIs can trigger hyperreflexia as well as increased neuromuscular excitability in some patients. This may manifest as a twitching of the muscles or eyelid flickering. These reactions are more prevalent when these medications are taken together with certain foods like aged cheeses and cured meats.