While I am certainly not opposed to medication for anxiety and depression as a means of dealing with the problems they cause, I am strongly opposed to medication for anxiety and depression and the way that so many doctors and other medical practitioners prescribe them, often without a thorough analysis and, especially concerning the possible adverse side effects. Medication is not the answer in my mind. Anxiety and depression need to be treated as such. They are conditions that are often very treatable. However, medication does NOT have to be one of the methods used. In this article, I'll explain why.
First of all, anxiety disorders and depressive disorders are often symptoms of other underlying problems. The root causes must be identified and dealt with in order to treat the symptoms. While medication for anxiety and depression can often relieve symptoms, that relief is temporary and usually only holds until the problems return again. And that's where the problems start.
It's very common for those with anxiety disorders and depressive symptoms to get into "relief" from the symptoms by engaging in anti-depressant or other psychological "cures." But what these "cures" often do is mask or suppress the symptoms rather than deal with the root causes. And that is the real problem. They don't cure. They provide a bit of temporary relief, but they don't deal with the underlying cause.
There are some herbal supplements that have been shown to help with anxiety disorders and depressive symptoms. SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) are one example. Some studies show that SSRIs may be helpful for mood disorders such as depression and panic attacks. The problem is that there is much controversy over the true safety and effectiveness of SSRIs. They have been found to be ineffective or even harmful in some cases.
Other medications, such as Bupropion and Effexor, are also used to treat mental health disorders. Bupropion is an antipsychotic used to treat depression. It has been found to be effective in treating some types of anxiety disorders, but it has not been proven to be helpful in treating the more severe forms of depression. Effexor is a drug used for chronic pain and depression as well but has not been proven to be particularly helpful in treating the anxiety or the more severe depression related to those disorders.
Using prescription medication for anxiety and depression may help to alleviate those symptoms. However, those medications can become habit forming and you may find yourself having to take them for the rest of your life. That's not what you want. You may help control the anxiety or the depression but if you don't remove the habit-forming element from the equation, you may not be very effective.
It's important that when you start thinking about medication for anxiety and depression that you work with your health professional first. Your health professional may suggest alternative treatments or symptoms relief that can be achieved without the use of medications. Be sure to ask your health professional first!
The bottom line is that people experience anxiety and depression all of the time. For some it's mild and for others it's so severe that it disrupts their lives. Whatever your case, be sure to seek medical assistance if your symptoms make you feel low energy, don't sleep well, and have suicidal thoughts or other physical problems. You may be able to improve your condition before it gets out of hand. Remember, though, that there are other options for dealing with depression and anxiety.
Generalized anxiety disorder is one of the more common forms of depression and anxiety. This type is often referred to as GAD since it has symptoms such as restlessness, irritability, and other types of behavioral problems. Someone who has generalized anxiety disorder may feel constantly anxious or depressed, even if they aren't. If this sounds like you, it's important that you speak with a health care professional right away.
One type of anxiety and depression that many people don't think about is reactive depression. People who suffer from this experience symptoms such as feelings of sadness, guilt, hopelessness, or even fear when there is no real danger. Reactive depression can also cause physical symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, sweating, dizziness, nausea, or other physical discomforts. Again, speak with your health care professional if you suspect you're experiencing any of these symptoms because they can indicate the presence of another, more serious condition. If you're dealing with a loved one or a friend who is in the same situation, be sure to share your feelings with them as well.
Although medication for anxiety and depression is helpful for treating some symptoms of these conditions, cancer survivors should also report taking medication for their depression after they have been diagnosed with cancer. Chemotherapy causes extreme feelings of anxiety and depression during the treatment process, which can be very similar to the feelings many people experience prior to cancer diagnosis. Speak with your oncology team to find out if they recommend medication for your anxiety and depression after your cancer treatment.
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