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Depression Anxiety Medications Can Treat Both Problems At Once
from: AnxietyStressHelp.comWhile some medications used to treat anxiety are not always beneficial for people facing depression, it is an unfortunate fact that the two conditions often go together. Fortunately, doctors have a class of medications at their disposal that can ease the symptoms of both disorders. Depression anxiety medications such as Paxil and Zoloft have proven rather useful as depression anxiety medications. These name brand drugs and others in the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor class all seem to work well for both.
What Are SSRIs?
Depression anxiety medications on the SSRI list have been clinically proven to help with a number of conditions. These depression anxiety medications work by blocking the neurotransmitter serotonin from reabsorption by certain cells in the brain. In essence, this leaves more serotonin in the brain itself. This particular neurotransmitter has been implicated in both anxiety and depression.
What Drugs Classify As SSRIs?
A number of well known, name brand depression anxiety medications are available on the market. Some of the more common names include Lexapro, Paxil, Prozac and Zoloft.
What Forms Of Anxiety Do They Treat?
While not all antidepressants are effective in treating anxiety disorders across the board, the SSRIs seem to be. Depression anxiety medications such as Luvox, Celexa and Paxil have all show useful in treating the full spectrum of anxiety disorders, including Panic Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Social Anxiety.
How Long Do They Take To Work?
Unlike anti-anxiety medications that work within a few hours, anti-depressants do tend to take a bit longer. It can take a few days to several weeks for their full effects to be felt. It is very important for patients taking depression anxiety medications to follow instructions very closely. Dosing is extremely important.
Side Effects To Watch For
While depression anxiety medications of the SSRI class are very useful in the treatment of both conditions, these medications do not come without potential side effects. Overall, however, they are considered safer than many other anti-depressants. They are not as prone to cause interactions with other medications and overdoes are not quite as dangerous.
Some of the common side effects seen when this type of depression anxiety medication is in use include:
- Stomach upsets
- Reduced sexual desire
- Headaches
- Agitation, restlessness, drowsiness and insomnia
- Potential weight gain
- Serotonin Syndrome - This is a very rare side effect of SSRI use, but it can be life threatening. It occurs when high levels of serotonin are in the brain. This is the reason why SSRIs and certain other medications are not prescribed together. Supplements such as St. John's wort can also cause problems when taken with SSRIs. Symptoms to watch out for include fever, seizures, hallucinations, increased heart rate and blood pressure changes.
Depression anxiety medications in the SSRI class have proven very useful for the treatment of both conditions. Although they do have some potential complications, most patients find a great deal of relief from symptoms when taking SSRIs.
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