Medications for Depression & Panic Attacks

It seems unlikely that a medicine could treat anxiety and depression. Depression requires drugs that bring one up out of misery, and anxiety requires drugs that pull one down and out of abnormal excitation. However, certain drugs can correct anxiety and depression, if used correctly. Small improvements may be seen in herbal or holistic medicines, but true, long-term drugs such as antidepressants, antipsychotics and benzodiazepines can work through the effects of panic and depression, helping one regain a normal life.

Antidepressants

• Antidepressants fall into three categories: TCAs (tricyclic antidepressants), SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) or MAOIs (Monoamine oxidase inhibitors). TCA and SSRI antidepressants work well for depression and panic attacks and are prescribed regularly. MAOIs are not used as often because they have dangerous side effects in used with other medicines or if certain foods are eaten. A 2005 article called, "Treatment of Panic Disorder" by Peter Ham, M.D., David B. Waters, PH.D., and M. Norman Oliver, M.D. states that 61 percent of patients were panic-free after six to 12 weeks of treatment involving antidepressants. The theory behind this statement is that depression helps fuel negative thinking patterns, negative thinking patterns enforce fear, and fear is the driving force behind panic attacks. Another theory that explains how antidepressants work on anxiety and depression is the fact that antidepressants help nerve cells stay sensitive to glutamate. Glutamate is a nonessential amino acid. This new-gained sensitivity to Glutamate keeps it from flooding and overwhelming receptors, which results in overexcitement and panic. Tonafril, Paxil and Cymbalta are antidepressants known to combat anxiety and depression.

Benzodiazepines

• Benzodiazepines are carefully prescribed because they are habit forming. Benzodiazepines work by increasing the neurotransmitter GABA in the brain, which slows activity and electrical current in the brain. They also depress the central nervous system, slowing breathing and overstimulation in the brain caused by excitement. They create a sense of well-being, relaxation and sedation. Benzodiazepines may be used against minor depression, but they have little effect on major clinical depression. Klonopin and Xanax are two well known benzodiazepines. Klonopin usually lasts longer in the system than Xanax, but Xanax is the more potent of the two.

Antipsychotics

• Antipsychotics are not regularly prescribed for depression or anxiety. However, the presence of psychosis in a person can go with anxiety and depression. Psychosis is a term describing thought disorder, hallucinations, paranoia and delusions. These factors may very well be present with a strong depression and anxiety diagnosis. Antipsychotics slow the brain's thought patterns, improve perception problems that lead to hallucinations and help to lessen delusions, which are simply thoughts created by an individual he believes to be true but have no basis in reality. When used in conjunction with antidepressants or other prescriptions, antipsychotics can lend additional comfort and freedom from over excitation, panic or unfounded beliefs that play a huge role in depression. The drug in the antipsychotic family best known to help anxiety and depression is Sertraline. Abilify, though used in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, has also been used on depression and anxiety symptoms.

Natural Cures

• Despite the fact that the FDA has not approved any natural cure for depression and anxiety, many holistic and homeopathic drugs claim to reduce stress, depression, and anxiety. Drugs such as St. John's Wort, Bupleurum and Dong Quai are boasted to work. It is possible that minimal depression and anxiety may be treated by therapies involving natural remedies, but they will certainly not cure any full-blown psychiatric illness. Some multi-vitamins also claim to have the same effect. Again, it is possible that anxiety and depression may be caused by missing vital nutrients, but it is certainly not the same as using an FDA approved medicine for specific conditions.

Conclusion

• Treatment and success can occur, but one must be ready to try many options. Medicines that work for one person may not have the same effect on another user. It is important that each person be vocal in his treatment so he can find the right medication for himself. Otherwise treatment will simply do no good. Once something seems to work, a person will be stabilized again and be an active participant in life instead of being depressed and panicked.