Medication For Anxiety And Depression Can Be an Effective Solution

 

While I am certainly not opposed to medication for anxiety and depression, I am strongly opposed to the indiscriminate use of such medications as well as the way in which most doctors and other healthcare professionals prescribe them, usually with no detailed workup and very little information about possible side effects, especially poor long term result... There are many different medications available, from traditional anti-depressants, benzodiazepines and beta-blockers to newer antidepressants with serotonergic properties. Many of these have been clinically tested and found to be effective, but are they safe? Many people suffering from anxiety disorders respond well to this type of medication. But there are also some very real concerns about how they work, the possible side effects and the lack of a holistic approach to treating the underlying cause.

Antidepressants such as Prozac, Celexa, Paxil and Lexapro have been found to effectively treat obsessive-compulsive disorder, as well as generalized anxiety disorders. They also work well for people suffering from depression and have been found to help prevent the recurrence of depression following the discontinuation of the medication. These medications should not be used indefinitely and should only be prescribed under strict medical supervision. Most people will not experience any side effects while taking these medications, but the prolonged use of these drugs may lead to worse problems down the road.

Antipsychotic medications, such as Serzone and Geodon are another avenue that some doctors will take in prescribing medication for anxiety and depression. Again, as with most other medicines, there will be a risk of the patient developing an addiction to the drugs. When someone begins to take too much of a medication to get relief, it is very easy to become reliant on that medication and ignore the other symptoms of anxiety or depression. This can lead to further problems, compounded by the fact that when someone stops taking the medicine they will once again experience the depression and anxiety.

There are alternative methods available to people suffering from anxiety and depression. One of these is massage therapy, which can have a positive effect on both conditions. Many people who have suffered from panic attacks and agoraphobia have found that relaxation techniques and manual lymph drainage can alleviate their symptoms. Massage therapy has shown to be effective in the reduction of both of these symptoms and can even be used in conjunction with conventional medication. It is an option that should be explored by anyone who is suffering from one of these medical conditions.

When deciding which type of medication will be best for a person, it is important to discuss the possible side effects of the medications with the doctor. The effects of any medication vary greatly depending on the body type, diet, medications already taken, age, and physical health. Consulting with a doctor is a good way to make sure that a patient is getting the proper dosage of a drug without putting themselves at further risk. If a doctor decides that a particular medication is not right for a patient, he or she will often times be willing to switch the patient's medication to one that is more appropriate for their condition.

Another factor to consider with medication is how the patient may react to different medicines. Some people react poorly to some types of medicine and cannot take them at all. This can lead to drastic changes in a person's life if they happen to stop taking the prescribed medicine. Other patients may only be able to handle mild side effects while others may experience severe symptoms from a medicine. It is important to understand how each medication works so that a physician can prescribe the proper dosage.

Anxiety and depression medication options include some benzodiazepine medications as well as newer antidepressants. These types of meds can be very effective in treating these symptoms but many times patients must decide between taking these medications for their anxiety and depression problems or going through natural therapy. Both types of options can be very effective. However, many times doctors will prescribe medication for anxiety and depression problems specifically because they can have some serious side effects when used incorrectly. Therefore, many times patients are advised to seek out other means of treatment before taking medication for these problems.

In order to avoid the complications that can occur from taking medications for anxiety and depression, it is important to know which medications should be avoided. Many anti-anxiety medications can cause a loss of consciousness, drowsiness, and disorientation, and even slow processing of information. Medications used for mood control can also have this same effect including those used to treat bipolar disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The best way to avoid these complications is to consult with a doctor to determine what medications should be taken to achieve the most effective results.