![[PukiWiki]](image/pukiwiki.png "[PukiWiki]")
|
Medications For Anxiety Disorder and Depression Many people use medication to manage anxiety, but they're not the only solution. Exercise and psychotherapy can also be effective treatments. Some antidepressants work to treat anxiety as well, such as SSRIs like citalopram (Celexa), Escitalopram (Lexapro) and the fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil) and sertraline (Zoloft). Others, like histamine blockers such Vistaril (hydroxyzine) can offer relief. Antidepressants If you're diagnosed with depression, your doctor may prescribe medication as part of your treatment plan. Antidepressants are among the most common prescription drugs, and there are many types to choose from. The type of medication your doctor prescribes will depend on the severity of your symptoms, any other medical conditions you suffer from, and your treatment goals. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are among the most commonly prescribed antidepressants. These drugs work by altering the way your brain's nerve cells communicate. They do this by increasing the quantity of certain neurotransmitters, which helps improve mood and anxiety. Antidepressants can take a while to show results, so take your time and adhere to your treatment. Benzodiazepines can also be prescribed by your physician to treat depression or anxiety. They are fast-acting medicines and can be used as a short-term solution to alleviate the immediate symptoms of anxiety and depression. Benzodiazepines are lorazepam, alprazolam and other. They block the action of adrenaline and noradrenaline, which are hormones that play a role in the fight or flight reaction. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors are an antidepressant of a different type that can be effective in treating anxiety and depression. They are typically prescribed to those who have not had a response to other antidepressants. They also require dietary changes to prevent hypertensive reactions caused by the amino acid tyramine.
If you're taking a prescription antidepressant be sure to inform your doctor of the other medications you're taking, such as vitamins and supplements. You may need to decrease your dose if you're taking other medications that affect how well antidepressants function, or if they cause adverse effects. If you suspect you're having thoughts of suicide, get help right away by a health professional. You might have different symptoms for anxiety and depression or you could have a comorbidity of depression and anxiety. Patients with comorbid anxiety as well as depression are more likely to have a negative medical prognosis compared to those who have only one disorder. Certain psychiatric drugs have been shown to be particularly effective in treating both disorders in those who suffer from comorbid depression and anxiety. Benzodiazepines Benzodiazepines can ease anxiety symptoms, including alprazolam, clonazepam and chlordiazepoxid, diazepam and lorazepam. These medications act on the central nervous system's benzodiazepine receptors, which are proteins that consist of 5 transmembrane subunits that form a benzyl chloride channel in the center. The benzodiazepine receptors have an association site for the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutryic acids type A (GABA-A). The benzodiazepines reduce nerve activity by increasing levels of GABA-A. Benzodiazepines are known to have a quick onset of action, but they are also at risk of dependence and addiction. Antidepressants and antipsychotics, as well as anticonvulsants and buspirone, have a slower onset of action, but are still better for long-term usage, since they don't cause dependence or tolerance. Anxiety and depression are often comorbid, and antidepressants can reduce depression symptoms that are associated with anxiety. Many people with depression have an amalgamation of depressive and anxious symptoms. They'll need to combine medication and talk therapy to control their symptoms. In these cases benzodiazepines are employed for brief durations to treat anxiety and depression symptoms until other medication takes effect. The medications are typically prescribed for a short amount of time, but not daily. If you take benzodiazepines for long periods of time can lead to withdrawal symptoms, like shaking and sleeplessness and waking up, so these medications should only be used according to the instructions of your physician. Inform your doctor if you have had any issues with dependence, addiction, or mental health. Your doctor can discuss possible adverse effects and suggest other treatment options for your depression, if necessary. If you've never taken benzodiazepines before, or if you are taking them in excess they can lead to serious and sometimes fatal side effects. If you are pregnant or nursing, or if you have a history of liver disease, respiratory or digestive disorders or liver disease, your doctor may reduce the duration of treatment or recommend lower doses. Alcohol can interact negatively with benzodiazepines, increasing the risk of side effects and dependence. You should avoid drinking alcohol while taking these medications. Beta-blockers Beta-blockers can be used as an aid to manage anxiety symptoms. They are a kind of medication distinct from benzodiazepines such as Xanax and block the receptors that adrenaline binds. They also slow brain and nervous system activities. They can be utilized as an alternative to benzodiazepines, which are more addictive and carry an increased risk of dependency. Beta blockers, that reduce blood pressure and slow heart rate, are often prescribed to treat heart ailments. They can also be beneficial for treating anxiety. They are not FDA-approved to treat anxiety disorder. They are frequently employed "off label" for this purpose and are a great alternative if other anti-anxiety drugs don't provide relief or have unacceptable side effects. They are particularly efficient in cases of performance anxiety and social anxiety, in which uncomfortable symptoms can occur in situations that cause anxiety. They can be utilized in conjunction with other treatment modalities such as CBT and SSRIs. They are particularly useful as an additional therapy for people suffering from GAD that is characterized by frequent and persistent worry that can interfere with daily activities. They can also help manage physical symptoms of anxiety, such as a racing pulse or increased sweating. Beta-blockers may help manage physical symptoms of anxiety but they don't address the underlying psychological issues that cause the condition. They can be used to complement other treatments like benzodiazepines or SSRIs. It is essential to discuss your medical history as well as any other health concerns with your physician prior to taking beta-blockers. The use of these medications has been linked to a reduction in psychiatric hospitalisations and suicidal behaviour However, the results differ depending on the specific psychiatric condition and past psychiatric history. In some patients, they can increase the risk of having cardiovascular events. There are a few natural products that have beta-blocker-like properties, but they are not as effective as prescription medications. These include antioxidants as well as saffron, garlic, and potassium. The effectiveness of these natural products isn't fully known. Certain of these products can cause serious side-effects, therefore it is recommended to consult a doctor before taking them. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors MAOIs alter the way your brain works. They inhibit an enzyme called monoamine oxide that breaks down chemicals such as serotonin, norepinephrine and other chemical compounds that let your brain cells communicate with one another. By blocking monoamine oxide, MAOIs keep more chemical messengers in your brain, which elevates your mood by enhancing brain cell communication. The first antidepressant developed in the 1950s was Iproniazid, that inhibited monoamine oxide. This led to the creation of other MAOIs, like tranylcypromine or isocarboxazid, that have long been known 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. MAOIs could trigger serious withdrawal symptoms when abruptly stopped. They may also cause dangerous interactions with food and drugs. A newer type of MAOI, dubbed an irreversible and selective MAO-A inhibitor, is being studied for use in treatment resistant depression. It is not recommended to be used in bipolar disorder since it could trigger manic symptoms. Selegiline, a brand new MAOI (also called Eldepryl or Zelapar) is being studied for Parkinson's treatment. It blocks monoamine oxidese but does not affect other enzymes that breakdown levodopa, which is the main treatment for Parkinson’s. These drugs can be taken as a stand-alone treatment or in conjunction with other antidepressants. In some patients, MAOIs may trigger a reaction that causes hyper-reflexia and neuromuscular excitability. This can manifest as muscle twitching or eyelid moving. These reactions can be more common if the drugs are consumed with certain foods, such as aged cheeses or cured meats. |
