Medications For Anxiety Disorder and Depression

Medications help many people manage anxiety, but they aren't the only option. Exercise and psychotherapy are effective treatments too.

Certain antidepressants are effective in treating anxiety as well, such as SSRIs, like citalopram (Celexa) and the escitalopram (Lexapro), the fluoxetine (Prozac) and paroxetine (Paxil) and sertraline (Zoloft). Others, like histamine blockers such Vistaril (hydroxyzine) can offer relief.

Antidepressants

Your doctor may prescribe medication to treat depression. Antidepressants are one of the most common prescription drugs and there are numerous kinds to pick from. The type of antidepressant that your provider prescribes will depend on your symptoms, additional medical conditions, and the goals of your treatment.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are among the most commonly prescribed antidepressants. These work by changing 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 can take several weeks before antidepressants begin working and you should be patient.

The benzodiazepines are an alternative your doctor may 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 inhibit the actions of noradrenaline and adrenaline hormones, which are involved in the body's fight or flight response.

Monoamine inhibitors of oxidase are a kind of antidepressant that can be effective in treating anxiety and depression. 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 the amino acid tyramine.

Inform your doctor if are taking an antidepressant under prescription. This includes vitamins and supplements. You may need to lower your dosage if you're using other medications that impact the way antidepressants work or cause adverse effects. If you suspect you're having thoughts of suicide, get help right away by a health professional.

There are many signs of depression and anxiety or you may have a comorbidity of depression and anxiety. Patients with comorbid anxiety as well as depression have a worse medical prognosis as compared to those who have only one disorder. Some psychiatric medications have been proven to be particularly effective in treating both disorders for people who suffer from comorbid depression and anxiety.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines can ease anxiety symptoms, such as alprazolam, clonazepam, chlordiazep diazepam and lorazepam. These medications act on the central nervous system's benzodiazepine receptors, which are proteins that consist of five transmembrane components that shape a benzyl chloride channel in the middle. The benzodiazepine receptors also have an association 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.

The Benzodiazepines are famous for their rapid onset, but also high risks of dependence and addiction. Antipsychotics and antidepressants, along with anticonvulsants and buspirone have a slower time of action, but are still better for long-term use, as they do not produce tolerance or create addiction.

Depression is frequently found to be associated with anxiety disorders, and antidepressants are able to aid in reducing the symptoms of depression caused by anxiety. However, many people with depression suffer from a mix of depressive and anxious symptoms and require an array of medications and therapy for talk to manage all of their symptoms.

In these instances, benzodiazepines can be used for short periods of time to manage anxiety and depression symptoms until another medication takes effect. Usually, these medications are only prescribed for several weeks at a stretch and are not prescribed daily. These medications should not be used for long periods of time because they may trigger withdrawal symptoms like shaking or difficulty sleeping.

If you're thinking of taking benzodiazepines in the future, inform your doctor about any prior dependence or substance abuse issues, as well as any other mental health problems you have. Your doctor can talk to you about possible side effects, and can suggest alternative medication if necessary to treat depression.

If you have never used benzodiazepines before, or if you are taking them in excess they can lead to grave and sometimes fatal complications. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or have a history of liver disease or digestive or respiratory problems your doctor may suggest lower doses or restrict the time you are treated with these drugs. Alcohol can interact with benzodiazepines and can increase the risk of adverse effects and dependence, therefore it is advised not to drink alcohol while you are taking them.

Beta-blockers

Beta-blockers are a drug that can help control anxiety symptoms. They are a type of medication distinct from benzodiazepines, such as Xanax and are effective by blocking the receptors to which adrenaline binds. They also slow down brain and nervous system activities. They can be an alternative to benzodiazepines which have a higher risk of dependence and addiction.

Beta blockers, which lower blood pressure and slow the heart rate, are frequently prescribed to treat heart problems. They are also beneficial in treating anxiety. However, they are not specifically FDA-approved for the treatment of anxiety disorders. They are frequently 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 particularly efficient in cases of social anxiety and performance anxiety, where uncomfortable symptoms can arise in situations that cause anxiety.

They can be used in conjunction with other treatment modalities like CBT and SSRIs. They are especially effective as an addition therapy for those suffering from GAD. GAD is characterized by constant and recurring anxiety that can hinder daily activities. They can also aid in managing physical symptoms of anxiety disorder social phobia, such as an increased heart rate or sweating.

Beta-blockers may help manage the physical symptoms of anxiety, they cannot solve the psychological issues that contribute to the anxiety. They are recommended as a complement to other treatments like benzodiazepines and SSRIs. Before you start taking beta-blockers, it is important to talk with your doctor about your medical history and other health issues.

The use of these drugs is associated with a decrease in psychiatric hospitalisations and suicidal behaviour, but the results vary depending on the specific psychiatric condition and the psychiatric history of the past. In certain patients, they could increase the risk of cardiovascular events.

Some natural products have the same properties as beta-blockers, but are not as effective. They include antioxidants, garlic, Saffron and potassium. The effectiveness of these natural products isn't fully realized. Some of these products may cause serious adverse side effects, so it is recommended to consult with a physician before taking these supplements.

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) work by changing the way that your brain functions. They block the function of an enzyme known as monoamine oxidase, which breaks down the chemical serotonin and norepinephrine, which allow brain cells to communicate with one other. By blocking monoamine oxidase, MAOIs keep more of these chemical messengers in your brain, which elevates your mood by enhancing brain cell communication.

These drugs are also effective in treating anxiety disorders, especially anxiety-related disorders such as agoraphobia, mixed anxiety depressive disorder depression and anxiety. They are not as effective for pure anxiety and may not help in panic attacks. The effectiveness of MAOIs has been linked to their capacity to increase dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine levels inside the brain. These neurotransmitters, produced naturally in the body are released into the bloodstream, where they travel to nerves cells and serve as messengers.

The first antidepressant developed in the 1950s was iproniazid which inhibited monoamine oxidase. This led to the development of other MAOIs, such as tranylcypromine isocarboxazid and fluoxetine, which are used 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. MAOIs can cause serious withdrawal symptoms if suddenly stopped. They can also have serious food and drug interactions.

A newer MAOI known as MAOA-A, a selective, irreversible inhibitor is being investigated for its use in treating depression that is not responding to treatment. It is not recommended to use in bipolar disorder, because it could trigger manic symptoms. Selegiline, a more recent MAOI (also called Zelapar or Eldepryl) is being studied to treat Parkinson's disease. 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 cause hyperreflexia and increased neuromuscular excitation in certain patients. This can manifest as eyelid twitching and other symptoms. These reactions are more prevalent when these medications are used along with certain foods such as aged cheeses or preserved meats.