Selecting The Best Antidepressant For Depression And Anxiety
Anxiety and depression are the most common mental health problems affecting people today. Half of the people who have depression are also diagnosed with having an anxiety disorder.
People with either depression or anxiety go to great lengths to relieve their distress, whether using medication or trying different natural remedies.
For depression and anxiety, antidepressants are among the most commonly prescribed medications.
In general, this class of drug is considered to be effective in treating depression and anxiety.
People must seek the best options for medications, especially if they suffer from depression or anxiety.
Using antidepressants for relieving these conditions can empower you to achieve your goals and dreams minus the pain and frustrations.
This is a comprehensive guide to arm you with knowledge about the best antidepressants for treating depression and anxiety.
Living With Chronic Anxiety
While the disorders differ, chronic anxiety is best described as anxiety that you experience most days without a clear and reasonable trigger. Someone that works in a dangerous part of town and has to walk home alone at night isn’t experiencing chronic anxiety because it has a trigger . Someone that gets nervous every once in a while when they talk to strangers isn’t experiencing chronic anxiety because it doesn’t happen very often.
Chronic anxiety is more like an illness. It’s something that weighs on your mind and thoughts often and doesn’t require any obvious outside trigger. Those with chronic anxiety often experience both physical and mental symptoms such as:
- Mental: Excessive worries, such as worrying about someone getting hurt, worrying about social situations, worrying about worst case scenarios, or even worrying about their own anxiety.
- Physical: Shaking, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, rapid heartbeat, chest pains, leg weakness and tingling, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, and more.
You may experience some or all of the above symptoms, depending on your personality and the type of anxiety you’re suffering from. Those with generalized anxiety disorder are more prone to worrying thoughts. Those with panic disorder are more prone to physical symptoms. But there is a lot of overlap between all of these disorders.
Definition Of The Treatment Resistance
First of all we need to define the treatment resistance. The definition of treatment resistance is reversely related to the definition of remission and recovery that has been explored and debated in the field of depression., In the field of anxiety, this issue is more complicated. The absence of anxiety does not always mean recovery. It frequently does not even mean improvement since a phobic patient can have no anxiety when they can successfully avoid a phobic situation. On the other hand, the presence of anxiety does not always indicate pathology and could be a normal response to an ongoing stress. The assessment of remission and recovery in anxiety patients should be multidimensional and should always include functional parameters. If we apply this criterion, the recovery from anxiety states becomes a relatively rare event due to chronic and waxing and waning course., We need to probably apply a different and more lax criterion, which is restoration or near restoration of functional status in the presence of tolerable treatment. With this lax criterion, one can assume that approximately 30% of patients would be considered recovered from the standard treatments and 3040% of patients would be considered improved. Still 30% of the patients would be barely touched by the contemporary treatments.
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Drugs To Treat Anxiety Disorder
Xanax has boxed warnings. These are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration . Boxed warnings alert doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.
Using benzodiazepines, even as prescribed, can lead to physical dependence and withdrawal if you stop taking the drug suddenly. Withdrawal can be life threatening.
Using benzodiazepines can also lead to misuse and addiction. Misuse of benzodiazepines increases your risk of overdose and death.
Only take these drugs as your doctor prescribes. Talk with your healthcare professional if you have any concerns about safely taking a benzodiazepine.
Differential Diagnosis And Comorbidity
When evaluating a patient for a suspected anxiety disorder, it is important to exclude medical conditions with similar presentations . Other psychiatric disorders use of substances such as caffeine, albuterol, levothyroxine, or decongestants or substance withdrawal may also present with similar symptoms and should be ruled out.5
Complicating the diagnosis of GAD and PD is that many conditions in the differential diagnosis are also common comorbidities. Additionally, many patients with GAD or PD meet criteria for other psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder and social phobia. Evidence suggests that GAD and PD usually occur with at least one other psychiatric disorder, such as mood, anxiety, or substance use disorders.10 When anxiety disorders occur with other conditions, historic, physical, and laboratory findings may be helpful in distinguishing each diagnosis and developing appropriate treatment plans.
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How To Treat Severe Anxiety
This article was co-authored by Trudi Griffin, LPC, MS. Trudi Griffin is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Wisconsin specializing in Addictions and Mental Health. She provides therapy to people who struggle with addictions, mental health, and trauma in community health settings and private practice. She received her MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Marquette University in 2011.There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 11,095 times.
Anxiety may make you feel tense, apprehensive, anticipating the worst, irritable, restless, or like your mind has gone blank. You may experience some physical symptoms such as pounding heart, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, sweating, or stomach upset.XTrustworthy SourceHelpGuideNonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health and wellness resources.Go to source While worry is a part of most peoples lives, it can become so intrusive that it begins to take over. If anxiety has become an everyday part of your life that has become so overwhelming that youre having problems getting through the day, its time to get help.
Natural Remedies For Anxiety And Stress
Natural remedies are generally safe to use alongside more conventional medical therapies.
However, alterations to the diet and some natural supplements can change the way antianxiety medications work, so it is essential to consult a doctor before trying these solutions. The doctor may also be able to recommend other natural remedies.
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Foods That Help Or Hurt Anxiety
There are several types of medications used to treat anxiety disorders.
- Hydroxyzine
- Beta-blockers
Within each of these categories, there are subgroups of drugs that work differently and have their own benefits, risks, and possible side effects.
Theyre supereffective in treating anxiety disorders, says Beth Salcedo, MD, the medical director of the Ross Center for Anxiety & Related Disorders and a past board president of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. Its not known exactly how SSRIs work on serotonin to alleviate anxiety, says Dr. Salcedo, but what is known is that theyre not addictive like benzodiazepines are .
Its important to follow your doctors instructions when taking any prescription drug. Talk to your doctor if youre concerned about the side effects of a medication, or if the drug youre taking doesn’t seem to be alleviating your symptoms.
Other antidepressants that may be prescribed for anxiety include:
- Wellbutrin, Zyban, Aplenzin, Budeprion, or Buproban
- Tricyclic antidepressants, such as Amitid, Amitril, Elavil, or Endep Aventyl, Pamelor or Tofranil
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What To Expect From Therapy
Contrary to popular belief or what you see on TV, you wont instantly be cured after your first therapy session. In fact, you may experience ups and downs as you continue treatment. You are apt to feel relief and renewed hope that youll be able to make changes to improve your life. When you decide to seek professional help for your anxiety, youll be able to explore your anxiety, recognize your triggers, and identify the cause of your negative thoughts and feelings.
If you dont feel as though you can truly open up to your therapist after your first several sessions, it doesnt mean therapy isnt right for youit just means your psychotherapist isnt the right match. Some people meet with a few different therapists before finding the best fit for their mental health needs. Ultimately, you may need to try a few different approaches and meet with multiple therapists before finding a treatment that works for you.
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How To Stop Severe Anxiety Disorders
If you feel your anxiety is out of your control and significantly impacting your ability to function in life, go see your primary care provider immediately. Each additional day you go without treatment reinforces the anxiety, making it stronger. Because anxiety affects so many individuals, there are several options available.
Other anxiety reduction strategies like relaxation exercises and meditation may be less effective for severe anxiety, because the severity often makes spending time on those activities harder to accomplish. They may be useful in combination with other techniques, but should not be used alone.
It is highly recommended to seek therapy to better tackle long term management of severe anxiety.
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Psychotherapy And Relaxation Therapies
Psychotherapy includes many different approaches, such as cognitive behavior therapy and applied relaxation .33,34 CBT may use applied relaxation, exposure therapy, breathing, cognitive restructuring, or education. Psychotherapy is as effective as medication for GAD and PD.11 Although existing evidence is insufficient to draw conclusions about many psychotherapeutic interventions, structured CBT interventions have consistently proven effective for the treatment of anxiety in the primary care setting.3436 Psychotherapy may be used alone or combined with medication as first-line treatment for PD37 and GAD,11 based on patient preference. Psychotherapy should be performed weekly for at least eight weeks to assess its effect.
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Psychotherapy For Anxiety Disorders: What To Expect
Psychotherapy is a collaborative process, where psychologists and patients work together to identify specific concerns and develop concrete skills and techniques for coping with anxiety. Patients can expect to practice their new skills outside of sessions to manage anxiety in situations that might make them uncomfortable. However, psychologists wont push patients into such scenarios until theyre sure they have the skills they need to effectively confront their fears.
Psychologists sometimes use other approaches to treat anxiety disorders in addition to CBT. Group psychotherapy, which typically involves several people who all have anxiety disorders, can be effective for both treating anxiety and providing patients with support.
Family psychotherapy can help family members understand their loved ones anxiety and help them learn ways to interact that do not reinforce anxious habits. Family therapy can be particularly helpful for children and adolescents suffering from anxiety disorders.
Anxiety disorders are very treatable. Most patients who suffer from anxiety are able to reduce or eliminate symptoms after several months of psychotherapy, and many patients notice improvement after just a few sessions.
Psychologists are highly trained and will tailor a treatment plan to address the unique needs of each patient. To find a licensed psychologist in your area, visit Psychologist Locator.
What Is An Anxiety Disorder
An anxiety disorder is a type of mental health condition. If you have an anxiety disorder, you may respond to certain things and situations with fear and dread. You may also experience physical signs of anxiety, such as a pounding heart and sweating.
Its normal to have some anxiety. You may feel anxious or nervous if you have to tackle a problem at work, go to an interview, take a test or make an important decision. And anxiety can even be beneficial. For example, anxiety helps us notice dangerous situations and focuses our attention, so we stay safe.
But an anxiety disorder goes beyond the regular nervousness and slight fear you may feel from time to time. An anxiety disorder happens when:
- Anxiety interferes with your ability to function.
- You often overreact when something triggers your emotions.
- You cant control your responses to situations.
Anxiety disorders can make it difficult to get through the day. Fortunately, there are several effective treatments for anxiety disorders.
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Choosing The Best Anxiety Medication
So, how do you choose given all of these options? It will depend on:
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The kind of anxiety symptoms you have
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How much the pros and cons of each medication matter to you
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Cost, which will depend on your insurance coverage and if the medication is available as a generic
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Your personal lifestyle and preference
Best At Home Treatment For Anxiety
Most people want to treat their anxiety at home, and are looking for the best at home anxiety treatment. In this case, the answer is a bit more complex.
First, you need to start exercising. Exercise is far more important than those suffering from anxiety realize. It’s not simply for fitness. Exercise has very real benefits for your mental health.
You’ll also want to consider things like desensitization therapy, which you can do in the comfort of your own home .
But no matter what, you need to base your at home treatment on your symptoms.
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Exploring The Best Treatment Options For Anxiety
The consensus is that medications and psychotherapy are both effective at treating severe anxiety, and these treatment approaches work even better when applied together. In the same way, additional therapies can round out and improve someones treatment plan in the short and long term. Here are some of the diverse treatment options available to address anxiety disorders from many angles:
Which Benzodiazepines Are Used For Anxiety
They can also be used with antidepressants initially while antidepressants take time to work.
“They’re a powerful tool,” says Duckworth, “but you have to be really smart about their use.”
- Light-headedness
- Trouble sleeping
Beta-blockers can be very helpful but in a limited way, says Dr. Salcedo. They are most commonly used for performance anxiety. They are really good for the physical symptoms such as heart racing, sweating, shakiness, but they work less well for the anxious thoughts that might be causing the symptoms.
Additional reporting by Carlene Bauer.
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What Are Antidepressants
What do antidepressants do, and how do they work? Before examining the best antidepressants for anxiety and depression, it is essential to understand what they are.
Antidepressants refer to a class of medication that targets to stabilize chemical imbalances responsible for mood and behavior changes linked to malfunctioning neurotransmitters in the brain.
As you may already know, depression is a brutal mental state to live with. It has the potential to upend lives and negatively impact relationships. Thankfully, antidepressants can be very effective in alleviating symptoms of depression.
Antidepressants are used to treat several conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder and severe phobias like agoraphobia or social phobia.
The use of antidepressants has steadily increased over the past 20 years. CDC data shows that12.7% of Americans above the age of 12 took antidepressants in 1999-2002. Each year, this number increases.