Medications For Anxiety Disorder and Depression
Many people use medication to manage anxiety, but they're not the only option. Psychotherapy and exercise can be effective treatments, too.
Certain antidepressants can treat anxiety, as well as SSRIs, like citalopram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro) and the fluoxetine (Prozac) paroxetine (Paxil) and sertraline (Zoloft). Others, such as histamine blockers like Vistaril (hydroxyzine) can provide relief.
Antidepressants
If you've been diagnosed with depression, your doctor could prescribe medication as part of your treatment program. Antidepressants are among the most common prescription drugs and there are numerous kinds to pick from. The type of antidepressant that your doctor 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. They work by increasing the number of neurotransmitters that are present in your brain which helps improve your mood and reduces anxiety. It could take up to several weeks before antidepressants begin working and you should be patient.
Benzodiazepines are another option your doctor may recommend to treat anxiety and depression. They are extremely fast-acting drugs and can be employed as a temporary solution to reduce the symptoms of anxiety and depression. The Benzodiazepines include lorazepam, alprazolam and other. They block the actions of adrenaline and noradrenaline which are hormones involved in the fight or flight response.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors are an older antidepressant type that can be effective in treating anxiety and depression. They are usually prescribed to people who haven't responded to other antidepressants. They also require changes in diet in order to avoid hypertensive reactions caused by the amino acid tyramine.
If you're taking a prescription antidepressant, tell your doctor about all other medicines you're taking, including vitamins and supplements. You may need to lower your dosage if you're using other medications that can affect the way antidepressants function or if they trigger side effects. Get help immediately if you have thoughts of suicide.
You might have different symptoms for depression and anxiety, or you may be suffering from comorbid anxiety and depression. Those with comorbid depression and
separation anxiety disorder symptoms in adults have a poorer medical prognosis than those who have either disorder alone. Certain psychiatric medications have been found to be particularly effective in treating both disorders in those with a comorbidity of anxiety and depression.
Benzodiazepines
Anxiety symptoms can be alleviated through benzodiazepines, including alprazolam (Xanax) and the clonazepam (Klonopin), 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, gamma aminobutryic type A (GABA A). The benzodiazepines work by increasing the concentration of GABA-A, thereby decreasing nerve activity and relaxing muscles.
Benzodiazepines are known to have a quick start of action, but they have a high risk of dependence and addiction. Antipsychotics and antidepressants, along with anticonvulsants and buspirone have a slower time of action, however they are still better for long-term use because they don't cause tolerance or addiction.
Depression is frequently found to be associated with anxiety disorders, and antidepressants may help reduce the depressive symptoms that are a result of anxiety. However, many sufferers of depression suffer from a mix of both anxious and depressive symptoms and will require the combination of medication and talk therapy to control all their symptoms.
In these instances benzodiazepines may be used for brief periods of time to manage anxiety and depression symptoms until other medication takes effect. Typically, these drugs are prescribed for only several weeks at a time and are not taken daily. These medications should not be taken for prolonged periods of time as they may trigger withdrawal symptoms, such as shaking or trouble sleeping.
Inform your doctor if you have had any issues with substance abuse, dependence or mental health. Your doctor can talk to you about possible side effects, and suggest other drugs if required to treat depression.
If you have never used benzodiazepines before, or if you take them in excess they could cause serious and sometimes fatal side effects. If you are pregnant or nursing or have a history with liver disease, respiratory or digestive disorders or liver disease, your doctor might limit the duration of treatment or require lower doses. Alcohol can interact with benzodiazepines, and can increase the risk of adverse effects and dependence, so you should avoid drinking alcohol while you are taking these medications.
Beta-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 that adrenaline binds. They also slow down the activity of the nervous system and brain. They could be a good alternative to benzodiazepines that come with a higher chance of dependence and addiction.
Beta blockers are frequently prescribed for heart ailments and may be beneficial in treating anxiety since they lower blood pressure and slow down the heart rate. They are not FDA-approved for treating anxiety disorders. They are frequently used "off label" to treat this condition and are a viable alternative when other anti-anxiety medications do not provide relief or do not have acceptable side effects. They are especially efficient in cases of
social anxiety disorder symptoms anxiety and performance anxiety, where uncomfortable symptoms can occur during events that trigger anxiety.
They can also be employed in combination with other treatment methods, such as CBT or SSRIs. They are particularly useful as an add-on therapy for those with GAD that is characterized by constant and persistent anxiety that interferes with daily life activities. They can also be helpful in managing the physical symptoms of
gerd anxiety disorder, like the racing heart or the increased sweating.
Beta-blockers can help ease physical symptoms of anxiety but they don't address the underlying psychological issues that cause the condition. They are designed to complement other treatments, like benzodiazepines or SSRIs. Before taking beta-blockers, it is crucial to talk with your doctor about your medical history and other health concerns.
These medications are associated with lower psychiatric admissions as well as suicidal behavior, but the results can vary depending on the specific psychiatric diagnosis and previous psychiatric histories. In addition they are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events in certain patients.
Some natural products have similar properties to beta-blockers, but are not as effective. These include antioxidants, as well as saffron, garlic and potassium. These natural supplements are not fully comprehended. Certain supplements could cause serious adverse side effects, so it's recommended to consult a physician prior to taking them.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) function by altering the way your brain works. They inhibit the activity of an enzyme called monoamine oxidase. It reduces the chemical compounds serotonin and norepinephrine that allow brain cells to communicate 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 medications are also effective in
treating anxiety disorders, especially agoraphobia and mixed depression-anxiety states. They are not as effective for pure anxiety and might not help with panic attacks. The effectiveness of MAOIs has been linked to their capacity to increase serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine levels inside the brain. These neurotransmitters are produced naturally in your body and then released into the bloodstream, from where they travel to nerve cells and function as messengers between neurons.
The first antidepressant that was developed in the 1950s was iproniazid which inhibited monoamine oxidase. This led to the development of other MAOIs such as tranylcypromine and isocarboxazid, that 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 can have drug and food interactions and could cause serious withdrawal syndrome if stopped suddenly, MAOIs are typically only prescribed to patients who are unable to respond to other treatments.
A newer form of MAOI, called MAO-A, a selective and irreversible inhibitor, is being studied for use in treatment resistant depression. It is not recommended to use in bipolar disorder since it can cause manic symptoms. Selegiline, a more recent MAOI (also called Eldepryl or Zelapar) has been researched for treatment of Parkinson's disease. It blocks monoamine oxidase, however, it does not interfere with other enzymes that break down levodopa, the main treatment for Parkinson's. These medications may be used alone or in combination with other antidepressants. In certain patients, the MAOIs could cause a reaction that results in increased neuromuscular excitability and hyperreflexia. This can manifest as muscle twitching, eyelid twitching, as well as other signs. These reactions could be more common when these drugs are taken in conjunction with certain foods like aged cheeses or preserved meats.