Many of us tend to overlook the possibility of medication when it comes to anxiety and depression. That's quite unfortunate because this treatment option has been a staple of treatment for years, and it does work. The reason for this is because it addresses the chemical imbalance that is at the root of our anxiety and depression. In order to understand the above mentioned statement, you need to understand how medications work in our body. We are exposed to many different chemicals every day; the job of the brain is to balance these chemicals in order for us to function normally.
When you have an anxiety or depression episode, the normal reaction from your body is to fight or flight. Your brain perceives the situation as a threat and will prepare your body for either aggressive or defensive behavior. In this case, your body is preparing to either go into survival mode or defend itself. For those with anxiety, this may be a good thing because it prepares them to handle a real problem but for those who suffer from depression, it can be a very frightening experience.
Anxiety and depression are not the same disorder, but they can be treated in the same way. Your doctor will prescribe medication for anxiety and depression as a means of helping you cope with the disorder. The problem is that we all suffer from some form of mood disorder at some point in our life and it is only natural that some of us will develop anxiety disorders along with depression. There are other factors involved, like genetics, but once you get a diagnosis for either disorder you can start exploring the options available for treatment.
One of the most common forms of treatment prescribed by your doctor is Serotonin Inhibitors. These drugs are used to treat the symptoms of both disorders, anxiety and depression. The only problem with this medication is that there are also some serious side effects that can come with them. Some of these side effects include:
In general, if your doctor decides to prescribe SSRIs you should stop taking them about four to six weeks before you start any type of therapy or prescription medication. The reason for this is so that you will not experience a rebound effect. Your body may still have high levels of serotonin, even when you are taking the anti-depressant. Your doctor may also prescribe an MAOI (Monoamine oxidase inhibitor) drug to boost your levels of serotonin in your system. This drug will be taken until your anxiety disorder and depression disorder are under control.
If your doctor chooses to prescribe Prozac, Paxil, or Zoloft you will likely experience some very mild side effects with these anxiety medications. These side effects include: upset stomach, insomnia, and muscle tension. You may also experience mild headaches and feel anxious or nervous. Most people will only experience mild side effects and you will probably never experience any serious side effects from taking these types of medications. If you experience severe side effects, however, you should immediately contact your doctor or emergency services.
The SSRIs are different. They tend to cause less side effects than the SSRIs and they are also more successful at tackling the biological causes of depression. The SSRIs tend to work in two ways; they can either change the chemicals in your brain or they can change the amounts of serotonin in your brain. The SSRIs have been proven to effectively treat both anxiety and depression. Taking an SSRI for a period of time can help to change your brain chemistry so that you can overcome your mental health disorders. SSRIs also tend to be less addictive than some of the other types of anti-depressants on the market today.
SSRIs are definitely the most effective medication for anxiety and depression. Taking one will help you overcome your illness. Medication is only one part of the solution, though. You will also need to learn to deal with your feelings and thoughts about your illness. If you want to get your life back, then you should think about taking an antidepressant.
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