What is the best medication for anxiety and depression?

Anxiety and depression are no laughing matter. They can be debilitating, making it hard to function in our everyday lives. A wide range of medication options exists out there, so finding the best one for you can feel overwhelming. But don’t worry (1), we’ve done all the research for you (“We” as a general term; do not specify who did exactly).

In this article (2), we’ll explore different medication options that help manage anxiety and depression symptoms within patients. From traditional antidepressants to new-age treatments like ketamine infusions – we gotcha covered!

Traditional Antidepressants

Traditional medications have been prevalent worldwide for decades now. Mostly known as SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors), doctors prescribe them more often than other medications due to their safety profile.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors

SSRIs block serotonin from reabsorbing into the brain’s nerve cells after its initial release into synapse spaces (3) . These drugs include Fluoxetine (Prozac), Escitalopram (Lexapro)-which is another ”me-too” antidpressant-, Paroxetine (Paxil) etc., which makes them effective in treating various types of anxiety disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder(OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD,) generalized anxiety disorder(GAD); much safer than prior classes though with some common side effects including dizziness and headaches.

Effexor

The extended-release version of Venlafaxine being an SNRI(Serotonin & Norepinephrine Re-uptake inhibitors) type inhibits reabsorption via two neurotransmitters instead of just serotonin alone thus improve mood on multiple fronts but potentially cause higher blood pressure levels when used together with SSRI-type antidepressants.

TCA

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) have been around since the 50s, give or take some years (4). These were the ”go-to” medication for Treatment-resistant depression types mostly involving Serotonin and Norepinephrine pathways just like SSRIs but in a more balanced manner; improving motivation as well due to highlight on dopamine release too. TCAs are known to be very effective against all kinds of anxiety disorders, although with higher risks when compared to other antidepressants.

MAOI

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (this abbreviation is unique) – also known as life-chancing drugs work through selectively inhibiting enzymes that break down serotonin & dopamine inside nerve synapses spaces enhancing their concentrations within brain- reducing various symptoms within patients effectively.

However, whether traditional antidepressants contribute significantly towards resolving patients’ psychological problems has come into question recently (5). The side effects stemming from long-term use and individual resistance tendencies can lead physicians towards alternative medicines for depression treatment purposes!

Alternative Medications

Recently there has been an increase in research focused on alternative treatments such as Ketamine infusions,TMS & psychotherapy sessions which vary by approach and effectiveness levels:

Ketamine Infusion Therapy

Ketamine initially discovered as an anesthesia drug back in the 60s now used alternatively entirely intravenously by licensed practitioners under strict supervision referred to sometimes as “party-anesthesia” because of its abuse potential-interestingly enough! Ketamine’s popularity continuously rising due to its quick onset time (as soon as one day!) combined with high effectivity rates during treating severe depressive episodes & suicidal thoughts (6) . Although expensive, ketamine infusion therapy has proven itself life-saving at times where individuals have substantial conventional treatment-seeking history.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation:

TMS involves magnetic stimulation via hyper-focused electromagnetic radiation being applied over scalp areas covering pre-frontal cortexes, further releasing some chemical messengers functioning as antidepressants (7) . It has shown promise in treating mood disorders effectively but still considered an alternative mode of treatment not covered by insurance everywhere due to its ”novel” status.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy sessions like CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), DBT(Dialectical Behaviour therapy) & EFT- Emotional Freedom techniques; contain Patients interacting with a qualified psychologist or similar type specialist can enhance chances of positive outcomes on their mental well-being significantly working along with medications. Time-consuming and expensive regarded this implementation as seeing long-lasting improvement overall.

Conclusion

In general, anti-anxiety medication is best decided upon jointly between a patient and doctor. Choosing the right medication relies heavily on personal preferences, experiences – doctors’ opinions also count! Whilst traditional antidepressants present themselves as widely available options for many patients globally considering different modes exclusively brings life-changing effects at times when all else seems hopeless(3) (endnotes).

So remember, whether you decide to stick with tradition or venture towards new age treatments – there’s always something that works out there!

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