Treatment Options for Major Depressive Disorder With Anxiety

When trying to effectively treat major depressive disorder with anxiety individuals often have to experiment with several drugs and psychotherapy until they are able to find relief. Some people respond well to certain types of treatment while others find little relief or struggle with uncomfortable side effects from medication. Due to the advancement in research many treatment options are available today for depression.

Treatment Options

• People who are diagnosed with major depressive disorder also known as, clinical depression often have anxiety as a co-occurring disorder as well. The diagnosis for major depressive disorder with anxiety is made by a skilled clinician who takes a symptom report from the patient and then performs a mental status exam. One of the most common treatment options is antidepressants.

  The mostly widely prescribed antidepressants are SSRI(Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors). They have been found to be highly effective in treating major depressive disorder with anxiety. The SSRI's help to regulate certain neurotransmitters that are responsible for controlling mood. In addition to the SSRI's talk therapy is also extremely helpful in elevating the symptoms of depression and anxiety. Other options like exercising and dietary changes can also work to increase levels of neurotransmitters.

  One of the most drastic treatment options to treat major depressive disorder and anxiety is ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy) which is shock therapy.The patient is given a muscle relaxer and seizures are induced in a controlled manner. This procedure helps to reduce the amount of neurotransmitters that often contribute to depression and anxiety. The actual procedure is short but the effects of decreasing major depression are long lasting.