Medical News

Depression And Anxiety

Being scared to take a test or go for a job interview are situations in which it is considered to be normal,to experience levels of anxiety. This is analogous to feeling sad when someone you love dies. However if you have prolonged periods of feeling anxious or depressed where it impairs your day to day functioning then it is strongly suggested that you seek medical advise as you could classify as suffering from a real clinical diagnosis. Clinical anxiety and depression may exist either-or in isolation, or in many cases exist together.

The way that clinicians diagnosis anxiety disorders is according to a spectrum or family of disorders which are related to anxiety. Social anxiety is a good example of one of the many forms of anxiety disorders which could lead to serious life challenges such as the inability to attend social events and social functions. In turn this could lead to prolonged periods of isolation which could seriously jeopardize the functioning of an individual.

In order for a diagnosis to be made, it has to meet several criteria’s within a list of criteria’s for that particular mental illness. This is all done on a multi-axel system in what can be termed “The universal bible of the Psychology and Psychiatry Profession”. It is called The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, which is published by the American Psychiatric Association and is used universally amongst clinicians in order to diagnose clients, as well as look into the prognoses of clients. A diagnosis of anxiety can only be made if the client experiences the symptoms for anxiety for a prolonged period of time in normal circumstances. Once the criterion’s are met according to The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, then a treatment program can be put in place in order to meet the best needs of the client.

The goods news is that there is hope and in the same way that the majority of physical illnesses have medication which you can take, the same concept applies to mental illnesses. The solution to your suffering or the suffering of a friend of family member can be as simple as taking medication each morning. Most clinicians recommend seeing a therapist in conjunction with correct medication for that particular illness. Although the stigma of mental illnesses may discourage people from seeking help, this really in reality should not because in today’s modern times, it is actually extremely common for people to be experiencing some form of mental illness even if it is only in mild forms. It also needs to be taken into consideration that it is not the fault of suffer and mental illnesses may result from a predisposition to it from a hereditary perspective. Most mental illnesses today are completely manageable and new treatment methods and options are coming out all the time specifically geared to help individuals suffering.

Natural remedies for depression are needed by the more than 20 million adults in the United States who experience depression in a given year. Depression has many facets because sadness, grief, and mood swings are part and parcel of life. But if a two-week period has passed and a profound sadness shows no sign of getting better, the best recourse is to get properly diagnosed by a psychiatrist and have treatments recommended for depression.

Most psychiatrists will likely prescribe anti-depressants to address this problem. Anti-depressants work by increasing mood-elevating serotonin levels in the brain. However, in the process of doing so, people taking it could experience several undesirable side effects such as a dry mouth, palpitation, insomnia, drowsiness, anxiety, nausea, a decrease in libido, and headaches. Some psychiatric patients even opt to give up anti-depressants because they think being cured of depression yet feeling like a walking, talking zombie devoid of human emotions just won’t do. Dependency on prescription drugs has also been a problem; patients sometimes experience a hard time being weaned from them. What’s good about natural remedies for depression is that they are non-addictive, and get to the heart of curing depressive symptoms with little to no side effects.

Prescription mood stabilizers and anti-depressants also take some time to kick in and take effect. Some work after two weeks, others even longer than that. This can prove chafing for people in despair who want to feel better immediately. Fortunately, natural remedies for depression, especially ones at the preventive level, can have quick and lasting results.

Eat healthy. Having the right kind of mood-lifting food in your regular diet is still one of the best natural remedies for depression. In fact, studies have shown that nutritional deficiencies can be considered one of the biggest causes of mood disorders. Go for fiber-rich food such as oatmeal, cereals, brown rice, whole-wheat bread, and plenty of green leafy vegetables and brightly colored fruit. Also increase your intake of Omega-3 fatty acid-rich fare typically found in cold water fish such as tuna, salmon, sardines, and anchovies. Omega-3 fatty acids help keep cell membranes healthy and neurotransmitters functioning properly. Avoid over-processed fare which can wreak havoc with your blood-sugar level because the brain and nervous system easily pick up its fluctuations and reflect on your mood. Cut back on food rich in sugars, carbohydrates, caffeine, and alcohol, or else take them out of your daily consumption completely.

Many depression medication side effects can be very unpleasant. They can affect each individual differently as well as different medications can have different side effects. For some individuals depression medication side effects subside after a couple of weeks as their bodies adjust to the medication. Because the effects can be so severe, some individuals stop taking the medications.

Medications for depression can usually take a couple of weeks or more to work, which is a major factor in individual not sticking with the medication they have been prescribed. If they are feeling side effects this can increase the problem of individuals stopping their medication before there is a chance of finding it may have worked. Aside from depression medication side effects causing individuals to stop taking their medication, trying to find a medication that works can be a lengthy trial and error period. When a medication prescribed for an individual does not work after a couple of weeks they will need try another medication until one is found to work. Individuals can loose faith that a medication that works can be found and cause them to give up trying new medications.

There are Four different types of medication used for depression, each having slightly different effects on the brain.

Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs)

Discovered in the 1950′s and started being used for depression later in that decade. This medication has been proven to help with depression but can have side effects that are more severe than the newer types of medications. This type of medication is used usually as a last resort or when newer types of medications do not work. This depression medication side effects include: dry nose, dry mouth, constipation, changes in appetite and weight, blurry vision, dizziness, memory impairment, restlessness, increased body temperature, drowsiness, weakness, anxiety, confusion, hypersensitivity, sweating, sexual dysfunction, muscle twitches, nausea, hypotension, tachycardia, Overdoses can cause: irregular heart rhythms, twitching, hallucinations, delirium and coma.

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs)

This type of medication is also an older type that has some of the worse depression medication side effects that can prove to have a lethal dietary and drug interactions. Mostly prescribed for the treatment of atypical depression it is usually used as a last resort when all other medications have failed. The FDA has approved a patch form of the medication that has reduced the dangers of dietary dangers because it does not enter the gastrointestinal system. This depression medication side effects include: dry mouth, insomnia, increased heart rate, drowsiness, blurred vision, appetite changes, muscle twitching and feelings of restlessness and loss of sexual desire or ability. Also it may interact with certain foods.

Atypical Antidepressants

This type of medication is a newer type of medication that targets other neurotransmitters than serotonin. Some of the medications may target serotonin as well as other neurotransmitters or without the serotonin. The chemicals they affect are mainly norepinephrine and dopamine. This depression medication side effects include:nausea, fatigue, weight gain, sleepiness, nervousness, dry mouth, and blurred vision. The side effects are less severe than the older type medications.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI’s)

This is also a newer type of medication that has gained a lot of popularity and has proven to work quite well. This medication works by affecting serotonin in the brain. This medication side effects include: sexual problems, drowsiness, sleep difficulties, and nausea. In adults over 65 it can cause and increase in falls and bone fractures.

All medications can cause thoughts of suicide in young adults and should not be prescribed for use in children and caution in young adults. Withdrawals also can occur with all depression medications and medication should never be abruptly stopped doses need to be gradually reduced over time.