Anxiety Depression Medicine - Risks And Benefits

Depression has been found to be the result of the lowering of neurotransmitters in the brain, which neurotransmitters include serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. Brain neurons work on producing and releasing these neurotransmitters. Anxiety and depression medicines work to increase the neurotransmitter levels.

This is the pharmacological background behind depression although it is also known that depression is brought about by a number of other psychiatric reasons. These pharmacological and chemical bases of depression led to the development of antidepressants that work on those neurotransmitters.

Risks of Taking Antidepressants

While antidepressants are meant to address anxiety disorders and depression in general, medical authorities would like the public to know that these same antidepressants carry risks of suicidal tendencies, increased agitation, and social hostility.

Taking antidepressants can also be habit-forming, as the \"happiness\" effect or temporary elating experience induce the craving in the users. This sometimes results in withdrawal symptoms when the patient is taken off the drug. The symptoms range from dizziness and nausea to migraine and headaches. Lethargic conditions also sometimes set in.

Getting off depression medicine taken over a considerable length of time may cause other physical and emotional withdrawal difficulties and symptoms. A number of emotional repercussions can occur from withdrawal; they include uncontrollable crying, irrational agitation and irritability, severe anxiety, aggressive behavior, impulsive behavior, memory loss or lapses, confusion and lethargy.

Then again there are other psycho-somatic symptoms from withdrawal like fatigue and headaches, muscle aches, profuse sweating, nausea and vomiting, appetite loss, abdominal pain or diarrhea, insomnia, nightmares, vertigo, clumsiness, vision problems, tremors and twitching, loss of coordination, and tingling sensations.

Gradual Withdrawal

Doctors advise a gradual, tapered withdrawal from the use of antidepressants. Reducing doses instead of quitting abruptly on the depression medicine lessens the risk and occurrence of withdrawal problems.

In the prescription of antidepressants, your doctor will need to determine some aspects of your anxiety or depression such as the severity of your condition that is supposed to warrant the pharmacological treatment, the right-fit applicability of the medication to the type of depression being suffered, the possible side effects weighed versus your bodily conditions, and the presence or absence of other depression treatment methods.

In the use of antidepressants or depression medicine, have your doctor explain to you clearly and carefully all aspects about the medication you will be taking. When the right medication has been determined, make sure you adhere to intake and dosage instructions vis--vis the use of the drug. Skipping or doubling doses are not advisable unless prescribed by your doctor. Make sure you keep track of side effects and inform your doctor accordingly of the occurrence of any of these side effects. Take heed if the medication warrants therapy to go with it.

Benefits of Antidepressants

Anxiety and depression medicines although have risks have been tested to effectively cure symptoms associated with depression and anxiety.

Also, the medicines we have today are safer and more effective, as compared to other antidepressants and methods of treatment used in previous years.

Anxiety and depression medicines can control the production of enzymes that break down serotonin and norepinephrine in the body. Studies reveal that these two biochemicals are the foundation of a healthy, clear and active mind.

Less Invasive Than ECT

With antidepressants, a patient suffering from major depression need not risk himself with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) that was widely available before. Many clinicians see this form of treatment as invasive since the physical brain receives bursts of currents, resembling that of an electrocution. The only difference is that ECTs amount of current is controlled.

Nonetheless, the patient\'s foamy mouth, seizures and loss of consciousness after the treatment give an impression of \"brutality\" rather than of treatment, even though ECT works thrice as fast as compared to anxiety and depression medicines, even if the reasons for how it cures remain unknown.

Anxiety and depression medicines are definitely there to help, but remember that there are other treatment alternatives or augmentations that will need to be considered, too.

Flor Serquina is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Facts-About-Depression.com. She provides more information on topics such as anxiety depression medicine, coping with depression anxiety and natural treatments for depression that you can research on her website even while lounging in your living room.

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