Medications For Anxiety Disorder and Depression
The use of medication can help a lot of people manage anxiety, but they're not the only option. Exercise and psychotherapy can be powerful treatments too.
Some antidepressants, like SSRIs (citalopram, Lexapro, fluoxetine, Prozac, paroxetine, Zoloft) also treat anxiety. Other medications, like histamine blockers like Vistaril (hydroxyzine), can also provide relief.
Antidepressants
Your doctor could prescribe medication to treat depression. Antidepressants, among the most commonly prescribed drugs, come in many different kinds. The type of medication your doctor prescribes depends on the severity of your symptoms and any other medical issues you suffer from, and your the goals of your treatment.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are among the most commonly prescribed antidepressants. They work by altering the way nerve cells within your brain communicate. They do this by increasing the levels of certain neurotransmitters, which improves mood and anxiety. It can take several weeks for antidepressants to start working, so be patient.
Benzodiazepines can also be prescribed by your physician to treat anxiety or depression. These drugs are fast-acting and can be used to alleviate depression and anxiety symptoms in a short period of time. Examples of benzodiazepines are lorazepam and alprazolam. They block the actions of adrenaline and noradrenaline, which are hormones that participate in the fight or flight reaction.
Monoamine oxidase inhibiters are an older antidepressant type that is effective in treating anxiety and depression. They're often reserved for people who aren't able to respond to other antidepressants. They require dietary adjustments to avoid hypertensive reactions that result from interactions with amino acids like tyramine.
Tell your doctor if you are taking an antidepressant on prescription. This includes supplements and vitamins. You may need to lower the dosage if other medications interfere with how antidepressants work or if you experience negative side effects. Seek help immediately if you are thinking of suicide.
You might have different symptoms of depression and anxiety or you may have a comorbidity of depression and anxiety. People with comorbid anxiety and depression have a poorer medical prognosis as compared to those with only one disorder. Some psychiatric medications have been found to be particularly helpful in treating both disorders in people with comorbid depression and anxiety.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines are a great way to relieve anxiety symptoms, like alprazolam, clonazepam, chlordiazepoxide diazepam, lorazepam, and diazepam. These medications act on the benzodiazepine-receptors of the central nervous system which are five transmembrane protein molecules that form an benzylchloride channel in the central. 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 concentration of GABA-A, thereby decreasing nerve activity and relaxing muscles.
Benzodiazepines are known for their rapid onset however, they also carry a high risk of dependence and addiction. Antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, and buspirone all have a longer duration of action, however they are the best choice for long-term use because they don't produce dependence or tolerance.
Depression and anxiety disorders are often co-occurring. antidepressants can help decrease depressive symptoms that are associated with anxiety. Many people suffering from depression suffer from a combination both of anxious and depressive symptoms. They'll need to combine medication with talk therapy in order to control their symptoms.
In these instances, benzodiazepines can be used for brief durations to treat depression and anxiety symptoms until other medication takes effect. These medications are usually prescribed for a short amount of time, but not for daily. When taking benzodiazepines over a long period of time can lead to withdrawal symptoms, like shaking and difficulty sleeping and insomnia, so these drugs are only to be used according to the instructions of your physician.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had issues with dependence, addiction, or mental health. 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 not previously taken them. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or have a history of liver disease or digestive or respiratory problems, your doctor may require lower doses or restrict the duration of your treatment 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 taking these medications.
Beta-blockers
Beta-blockers can be used as an aid to manage anxiety symptoms. They are a different kind of drug than the benzodiazepines like Xanax, and they are able to block receptors that adrenaline binds to. They also reduce brain and nervous system functions. They are a viable alternative to benzodiazepines, which have a higher risk of addiction and dependence.
Beta blockers are often prescribed for heart conditions, and can be helpful in treating anxiety since they lower blood pressure and slow down the heart rate. They aren't FDA-approved to treat anxiety disorders. They are typically used "off label" to treat this condition, and are a good alternative when other anti-anxiety medications do not provide relief or do not have acceptable adverse effects. They are particularly efficient in cases of performance anxiety and social anxiety, where uncomfortable symptoms can arise in situations that cause anxiety.
They can also be used in combination with other treatment methods like CBT or SSRIs. They are particularly effective as an addition therapy for people suffering from GAD. GAD is characterized by constant and frequent anxiety that can hinder daily activities. They can also help manage physical symptoms of anxiety, such as a racing heart or increased sweating.
Beta-blockers can ease physical symptoms of anxiety but they do not address the underlying mental issues that contribute to the condition. They are recommended as a complement to other treatments like benzodiazepines and SSRIs. It is important to discuss your medical history and other health issues with your physician prior to taking beta-blockers.
The use of these drugs has been linked to a reduction in suicidal and psychiatric hospitalisations However, the results differ depending on the specific psychiatric condition and psychiatric history prior to the diagnosis. In some patients, they may also increase the risk of cardiovascular events.
Certain natural products contain similar properties to beta-blockers, but are not as effective. These include antioxidants, garlic the saffron plant, and potassium. The effectiveness of these natural products is not fully known. Certain supplements could cause serious side effects, so it's recommended to consult an expert prior to taking them.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
MAOIs work by altering the way that your brain functions. They block the activity of an enzyme called monoamine oxidase. This enzyme breaks down the chemical serotonin and norepinephrine, which enable brain cells to communicate with one other. By blocking monoamine oxide, MAOIs allow more of these chemical messengers to stay in your brain. This improves brain cell communication, and boosts your mood.
These drugs are also effective in treating anxiety disorders. This includes anxiety as well as mixed depression and anxiety states. They are less effective for pure anxiety and might not help in a panic attack. The effectiveness of MAOIs has been linked to the fact that they boost levels of norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin in the brain. These neurotransmitters are naturally produced in your body and then released into the bloodstream, where they travel to nerve cells and act as messengers between neurons.
The first antidepressant to be developed in the 1950s was iproniazid, that inhibited monoamine oxide. This led to the creation of other MAOIs, like tranylcypromine and isocarboxazid, that have been around for decades 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 cause interactions with food and drugs and can lead to a serious withdrawal syndrome if they are stopped suddenly, MAOIs are typically only prescribed to patients who are unable to respond to other treatments.
A newer MAOI, MAOA-A, which is a selective and irreversible inhibitor is being investigated for its use in treating depression that is resistant to treatment. It is not recommended to be used in bipolar disorder as it may cause manic symptoms. Another newer MAOI, called selegiline (Eldepryl or Zelapar), is being studied for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. It blocks monoamine oxidase, but does not interfere with other enzymes that break down levodopa, the main treatment for Parkinson's. These drugs can be used as a stand-alone treatment or in combination with other antidepressants. MAOIs can cause hyperreflexia and increased neuromuscular excitation in some patients. This can manifest itself as muscle twitching or eyelid flickering. These reactions may be more frequent if the drugs are consumed along with certain food items such as aged cheeses or cured meats.