Everything You Need to Know About Medication for Anxiety and Depression

Medication for psychological disorders is a conventional and orthodox approach to treatment. This mode of treatment has been going on for decades.
Currently, we at Positive Reset Mental Health Clinic find the world divided on this subject; some experts seem to think that medication should be the primary approach and the other half promotes psychotherapy as the basis of treatment.
Anxiety and depression are prevailing mental disorders, and people are often reluctant to seek treatment because of labeling and stigmatization.

Should you choose medication to help you through anxiety and depression?

Several patients with anxiety and depression are confused about using medication for their anxiety and depression. There is substantial evidence that suggests the benefits of using medication for anxiety and depression.
Psychiatrists primarily rely on prescribing medicines to patients suffering from anxiety and depression.

Anti-anxiety medications can help reduce anxiety symptoms, such as;

   Panic attacks
   Extreme fear
   Anxiety.

The most common anti-anxiety drugs are called benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines are a group of drugs that can help reduce anxiety and help you fall asleep. They are also used as muscle relaxants to induce sedation in surgery and other medical procedures and to treat seizures and alcohol withdrawal. Benzodiazepines are also called secondary tranquilizers, tranquilizers, or hypnotics. They are the most widely used psychoactive substances in the world.

Similarly, for patients with depression, anti-depressant medicines are available. Expert opinions might differ on the effectiveness of anti-depressants in reducing symptoms of depression. Some doubt they are effective, while others believe they are essential.

However, like many other forms of medication management, these drugs may help in some cases and not in others. They are effective in moderate, severe, and chronic depression, but may not be effective in mild cases. They can also have side effects. It is important to discuss the pros and cons of anti-depressants with your doctor.

The main goal of anti-depressant treatment is to relieve the symptoms of major depression, such as being very depressed and tired, to prevent them from returning. They are designed to help you feel emotionally stable again and help you maintain your normal daily routine. They are also used to reduce symptoms such as;

   Irritability
   Anxiety
   Sleep problems
   Prevention of suicidal thoughts

Medicines offer quick relief, and you can get rid of the problematic symptoms of your disorder.

Negative effects of adding medication to your therapy

Medication is not always helpful for patients with anxiety and depression. Psychotropic medications can cause various side effects depending on the individual and the type of medication used. Some of the most common side effects of anti-depressants include:

   easy fatigue
   easy weight gain
   decreased mood range
   decreased libido

However, anti-depressants have many less common side effects, such as the dry mouth and blurred vision. Ironically again, anti-depressants used to treat depression and anxiety can cause depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.

Anxiolytics or anti-anxiety drugs such as benzodiazepines can cause:

    drowsiness
   confusion
    sedation
    weight gain
They are usually prescribed for people with anxiety disorders. There isn’t a drug that doesn’t have the risk of side effects, either short-term or long-term.

Evaluating the pros and cons of medication with therapy
If side effects occur, you and your doctor must decide whether treating the side effects is worse than treating the symptoms of your mental health condition.

It’s almost become a game of what you want to prefer and prioritize. Do you want to prefer your mental health and get a sexual dysfunction, or continue to feel depressed but have a “normal” sex life?
You have to decide how much benefit you will get from the drug based on what you use it for.

Is the mental condition you are treating in remission, and symptoms are decreasing? If you feel better mentally, can you live with the side affects you might experience? If you’ve recently started taking a new psychiatric medication, experts recommend waiting for a while. After a few weeks, many [side effects] go away. This is often especially true for side effects related to stomach upset, such as when your body adjusts to a new drug or dose.
You have several options if you experience unwanted side effects but still want to continue taking your medication. Fortunately, there are many other medications you can try or add to prevent some of the side effects. You and your doctor can try different doses and drug groups or even take your current medication at different times of the day.

All these changes affect in the form of side effects.

Making a smart and informed decision

First, do not hesitate to talk and share your experience with your mental health care professional.

Several things should be a part of your decision-making, such as;

  Symptom severity allows you to go for a quick or slow relief method. If you are suffering from a serious issue, you might find quick relief by using medicines.

  Cost and budget also let you prioritize your treatment approach. Medications are cheaper than therapy.

  Therapy is a time-taking process, so people with busy schedules might not lean toward it.

  However, therapy offers long-lasting relief with no side effects, unlike medications.

Conclusion

Combination therapies are emerging as new treatments, especially for those with depression and anxiety. Studies involving people with depression and anxiety disorders show that the best outcomes were observed among clients who received medications in combination with cognitive behavioral therapy. Contact us to learn more.