Everyone in this world acquires certain degree of anxiety caused due to physical situation. Job interviews, first day in the school and wedding day are some of the situations that trigger a normal level of anxiety. But sometimes, anxiety can take a bigger form especially when it results in depression and other similar effects. Anxiety attack depression is treatable and antidepressants are among the most used medicines used for this purpose. If your or someone in your family suffer from depression due to anxiety, learn about antidepressants as the possible treatment option from the following sections.
What Are Antidepressants?
Antidepressants are medications used to alleviate mental and physical symptoms of anxiety depression or depression caused due to any other reason. Antidepressants act on the neurotransmitters, the chemicals present in the brain responsible for controlling various body functions.
Types of Antidepressants
Anxiety depression antidepressants are classified into numerous categories some of which are discussed below:
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are the antidepressants that work by preventing the depletion of serotonin in the brain. Citalopram, Fluoxetine and Paroxetine are some of the popular antidepressants in this category.
- Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors are the antidepressants that work on serotonin as well as norepinephrine. Duloxetine and Milnacipram are the popular medicines in this category of antidepressants.
- Tricyclic antidepressants are among the earliest type of antidepressants used for treating anxiety attack depression. Today, there are less commonly used as new types of antidepressants have appeared in the market. Amitriptyline and Doxepin are popular tricyclic antidepressants.
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors are the antidepressants that block the monoamine oxidase enzyme responsible for breaking down different neurotransmitters. Phenelzine and Moclobemide are the popular names in this category.
- Noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressants, norepinephrine (noradrenaline) reuptake inhibitors, norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitors and selective serotonin reuptake enhancers are other types of antidepressants.
Antidepressant Side-effects
Antidepressants are often criticized for a number of side-effects associated with them. For example, drowsiness, dry mouth, insomnia, loss of appetite and decreased ability to perform sexually are among the common side-effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors too have similar types of side-effects. Side-effects associated with tricyclic antidepressants are increased heart beat, drowsiness, constipation, blurred vision, dizziness and urinary retention.
Withdrawal Issues
Antidepressants have withdrawal symptoms issues associated with them. Once you start taking them regularly, you might find it tough to stop them. Some of the common antidepressant withdrawal symptoms include agitation, mood swings, aggression, insomnia, nightmares, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, tremor and muscle spasms. It is important that you reduce the dose of antidepressants slowly rather than leaving them at once.
Some Useful Tips
Before you start taking antidepressants, make sure to discuss your medical history with a psychiatrist. Also learn about the alternative treatments for anxiety depression, including therapy, exercise and natural remedies. You should learn about the type of diet you should have along with antidepressants.
Antidepressants take time to show their effects on a patient suffering from anxiety attack depression. So, it is important for the person to be patient while using them as main depression treatment.