Medications For Anxiety Disorder and Depression
Many people use medication to manage anxiety, but they aren't the only solution. Exercise and psychotherapy can be effective treatments too.
Some antidepressants work to treat anxiety, as well as SSRIs like citalopram (Celexa), Escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac) and paroxetine (Paxil) and sertraline (Zoloft). Others, such as histamine blockers like Vistaril (hydroxyzine) can also help relieve anxiety.
Antidepressants
If you're diagnosed with depression, your doctor could prescribe medication as part of your treatment plan. Antidepressants, among the most commonly prescribed drugs are available in a variety of types. The type of antidepressant your provider prescribes will depend on your symptoms, any 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 work by altering the way that your brain's nerve cells communicate. They accomplish this by increasing the levels of certain neurotransmitters that improves mood and anxiety. It can take several weeks for antidepressants to start working therefore, be patient.
Benzodiazepines are another option your doctor could recommend to treat depression and anxiety. These medications are fast-acting and can help alleviate depression and anxiety symptoms within a short amount of time. Examples of benzodiazepines are alprazolam and lorazepam. They inhibit the actions of adrenaline and noradrenaline hormones, which are involved in the body's fight or flight.
Monoamine oxidase inhibiters are an older antidepressant type that is effective in treating anxiety and depression. They are usually prescribed to those who have not responded to other antidepressants. They also require changes in diet to prevent hypertensive reactions caused by the amino acid tyramine.
Tell your doctor if are taking an antidepressant with a prescription. This includes supplements and vitamins. You may need to decrease your dose if you're taking other medicines that can affect the way antidepressants work or if they trigger negative side effects. If you think you're having thoughts of suicide, seek assistance right away by a health professional.
There are many different signs for anxiety and depression or you may have comorbid depression and anxiety. Patients with comorbid depression as well as anxiety have a poorer medical prognosis than those who have only one disorder. Certain psychiatric drugs have been proven to be particularly effective in treating both disorders in those who suffer from comorbid depression and anxiety.
Benzodiazepines
Anxiety symptoms can be alleviated through benzodiazepines, including alprazolam (Xanax) as well as the 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 subunits which shape a benzyl chloride channel in the center. The benzodiazepine-receptors also possess an area that binds to the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA A (GABA A). The benzodiazepines reduce nerve activity by increasing levels of GABA-A.
Benzodiazepines are renowned for their rapid onset but also for their high risk of dependence and addiction. Antidepressants and antipsychotics, along with anticonvulsants and buspirone, have a slower onset of action, but are still beneficial for long-term use because they do not produce tolerance or addiction.
Depression is frequently found to be comorbid with anxiety disorders , and antidepressants may help alleviate the symptoms of depression associated with underlying anxiety. However, many sufferers of depression experience a combination of depressive and anxious symptoms and will require an array of medications and therapy to manage all of their symptoms.
In these cases, benzodiazepines may be employed for a brief period to control depression or anxiety symptoms while other medications are in effect. Usually, these medications are prescribed for only just a few weeks at a time, and are not prescribed daily. When taking benzodiazepines over a long period of time could cause withdrawal symptoms such as shaking and trouble sleeping and waking up, so these medications are only to be used according to the instructions of your doctor.
If you are considering taking benzodiazepines, inform your doctor about any previous dependence or substance abuse issues as well as any other mental health problems you have. Your doctor can inform you about possible adverse effects, and suggest other medications if needed to treat depression.
Benzodiazepines can cause serious, potentially life-threatening issues if you take too much or have not used them before. If you are breastfeeding or pregnant, or if you have a history of liver disease or other digestive or respiratory disorders or liver disease, your doctor may limit the duration of treatment or recommend lower doses. Alcohol can interact negatively with benzodiazepines and increase the risk of side-effects and dependence. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking these medications.
Beta-blockers
Beta-blockers are a medication that can aid in the control of anxiety symptoms. They are a different kind of drug than the benzodiazepines such as Xanax, and they work by blocking receptors that adrenaline binds to. They also slow down brain and nervous system activity. They can be an alternative to benzodiazepines that have a higher chance of dependence and addiction.
Beta blockers are often prescribed for heart ailments and are effective in treating anxiety as they reduce blood pressure and slow down the heart rate. They are not FDA-approved to treat anxiety disorder. They are prescribed "off-label" to treat anxiety disorders. They are a good alternative if other antianxiety drugs don't work or have unacceptable side negative effects. They are especially effective in situations of performance anxiety and social anxiety, in which physical symptoms can occur in situations that cause anxiety.
They can also be employed in combination with other treatment options like CBT or SSRIs. They are particularly effective as an addition therapy for people with GAD. GAD is characterized by persistent and frequent anxiety that can hinder daily activities. They can also aid in managing the physical symptoms of anxiety, such as a racing heart or increased sweating.
Beta-blockers may help manage anxiety-related physical symptoms, but they don't address the underlying mental issues that contribute to the condition. They are designed to complement other treatments like benzodiazepines or SSRIs. It is crucial to discuss your medical history and any other health concerns with your doctor before taking beta-blockers.
These medications are associated with lower psychiatric admissions as well as suicidal behavior, however the results may differ based on the specific psychiatric diagnoses and the psychiatric history of the past. In some patients, they could increase the risk of heart attacks.
There are a few natural ingredients that have beta-blocker-like properties, however they aren't as effective as prescription drugs. These include antioxidants as well as saffron, garlic and potassium. The effectiveness of these natural supplements is not yet fully understood. Some of these products may cause serious adverse side effects, so it's best to consult with a physician before taking them.
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. It reduces the chemical compounds norepinephrine and serotonin, which allow brain cells to communicate with one and each other. By blocking monoamine oxide, MAOIs help to keep more of these chemical messengers in your brain, which elevates your mood by enhancing brain cell communication.
These medications are also effective for treating anxiety disorders. This includes anxiety as well as mixed depression and anxiety states. However, they are less efficient in the case of anxiety that is pure and may not be helpful in panic attacks. The MAOIs' effectiveness has been linked to their capacity to increase 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 1950. It blocked monoamine oxidease. This led to the development of other MAOIs, such as tranylcypromine isocarboxazid and fluoxetine, which 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. MAOIs can cause serious withdrawal symptoms if suddenly stopped. They may also cause dangerous interactions with food and drugs.
A newer MAOI, a selective, irreversible MAOA-A inhibitor is being researched to determine its effectiveness in treating depression resistant to treatment. It is not recommended for use in bipolar disorder since it could trigger manic symptoms. Another MAOI that is newer, selegiline (Eldepryl or Zelapar) is being researched to treat Parkinson's disease. It blocks monoamine oxidase but does not affect other enzymes that break down levodopa - the primary treatment for Parkinson's. These drugs can be taken either alone or in conjunction with other antidepressants. In certain patients, the MAOIs could cause a reaction involving increased neuromuscular excitability and hyperreflexia. This can manifest as a twitching of the muscles or eyelid moving. These reactions could be more frequent if the drugs are consumed along with certain food items such as aged cheeses or preserved meats.