Learn about the different classes of antidepressant medication. Antidepressants can make you feel better, but they won't change your personality or make you feel happy all the time. Like taking any other medication, some people will experience some side effects, and individuals should discuss the risks and benefits with their doctor. People should also ask for information about the medications so that they can make an informed decision.
Depending on which medication is taken, common side effects can include nausea, headaches, anxiety, sweating, dizziness, agitation, weight gain, dry mouth and sexual difficulties e. Some of these symptoms can be short-lived, but people who experience any of these symptoms should tell their doctor, as there are ways of minimising them. The likelihood of a particular side effect happening varies between individuals and medications.
It is not uncommon for people with mental health conditions to have suicidal thoughts. Treating the condition effectively will reduce the likelihood of a person hurting him or herself. In the period of time between the person starting antidepressant medication and responding to treatment — which can be more than two weeks — the person should still be monitored closely by the doctor and his or her progress reviewed, as the risk of suicidal behaviour may even be slightly increased, especially in young people.
Like any medication, the length of time a person needs to take antidepressants depends on the severity of their condition and how they respond to treatment.
Some people only need to take them for a short time, while others may need them on an ongoing basis to manage their condition. They are usually prescribed for short-term management of severe or treatment-resistant anxiety. Benzodiazepines are also prescribed on an as-needed basis to help you relax and reduce muscle tension. Because they are fast-acting, they are very helpful in treating panic attacks.
They can also be useful for social anxiety disorder SAD and phobias if they are only taken occasionally. Common benzodiazepines include:. When used on occasion or daily for a few weeks, benzos have a low risk of addiction. This risk increases when benzodiazepines are taken regularly for more than a few weeks. Benzodiazepines are not considered safe for continuous use, as this can increase risk for dependence and tolerance.
You should abstain from alcohol when taking benzodiazepines because the interaction between benzodiazepines and alcohol can lead to serious and possibly life-threatening complications. Be sure to tell your doctor about other medications you are taking. Anxiety medications have some important risks you should be aware of. These risks differ a bit between the drug classes, with suicidal thoughts a bigger risk with antidepressants and dependence and withdrawal a concern with benzodiazepines.
In , the Food and Drug Administration FDA required all antidepressants carry a black-box warning relating to the increased risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in children and young adults up to age Those younger than 25 should be carefully watched for increased depression, agitation, irritability, suicidality, and unusual changes in behavior, especially at the beginning of treatment or when doses are changed.
If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at for support and assistance from a trained counselor.
If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database. Tolerance means you need to take more of the medication in order to make it work. Dependence means that you develop withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking the medication.
Some people abuse these medications in order to get high. Many people who take a medication over a long period of time can become dependent. When they go off the drug, they need to do so gradually, to avoid experiencing withdrawal symptoms.
Withdrawal symptoms usually appear within three days of stopping a medication and last one to two weeks. Ironically, many withdrawal symptoms are similar to the anxiety symptoms that you may have initially sought treatment for:.
Some drugs cause more severe withdrawal symptoms than others. For instance, discontinuing benzodiazepines can lead to severe or life-threatening withdrawal symptoms, such as seizures. Be sure to talk with the doctor before discontinuing any medication.
To avoid these symptoms your doctor will probably taper your medication dose gradually. Be sure to take your medications exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you are having serious side effects, consult your doctor, but do not stop your medication without your doctor's approval as this can cause serious health issues. Learn the best ways to manage stress and negativity in your life.
Other types of anxiety disorders include panic disorder, social anxiety, phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, separation anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. Because anxiety has such a wide range of signs and symptoms, it can be difficult to diagnose, according to Christen Sistrunk , a licensed professional counselor in Texas who specializes in treating anxiety disorders.
Lucie, Florida. Or perhaps you experience more physical symptoms, like an upset stomach, digestive issues, sweaty palms, a constant uneasiness, heart palpitations or bouncing legs. While anxiety can present itself in many different forms, all anxiety disorders have one thing in common: They are highly treatable, and most of them respond well to medication, said Chelsea Hudson, licensed therapist in Chicago and founder of Cityscape Counseling.
Seeking professional help from a counselor, guided imagery , family and peer support and meditation have all been shown to help alleviate anxiety, Baksh said. Cognitive behavioral therapy in particular has been shown to be effective in treating anxiety disorders, Sistrunk said. Text-based talk therapy services may be more budget-friendly. Additionally, there are many other ways you can make therapy less expensive.
Lifestyle changes can also play a big role in managing anxiety. Incorporating more exercise into your day, improving your sleep and eating healthier can all help, said Katie Ziskind, a licensed marriage and family therapist in Connecticut and owner of Wisdom Within Counseling.
All that being said, there are people who do benefit from taking anti-anxiety medication in addition to the above treatments. While there is no definitive time or sign to start medication, the general consensus among experts is this: When anxiety starts to significantly affect your ability to function in your everyday life, it might be time to try it.
In other words, if you feel overwhelmed or paralyzed by anxiety, if you have trouble focusing at work, if your relationships are suffering or if your health is deteriorating, reach out to a doctor. Mental health medication can be just as essential as heart medication or anything else.
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