According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 19 million Americans suffer from depression while four million Americans suffer from generalized anxiety disorder. It is not uncommon for these illnesses to go hand-in-hand; many who are diagnosed with one are often diagnosed with the other. The symptoms tend to overlap each other, which is why it is imperative for you to be completely honest with your doctor. This ensures you receive the proper diagnosis and the proper treatment.
Significance
GAD and depression are serious health conditions. Medications exist to treat each illness separately, while medications are prescribed to help treat both simultaneously. You should know, however, that the effectiveness of these medications is not guaranteed; what works for one person may not work for another.
Combination Diagnosis Medications
If you suffer from GAD and depression, your doctor may choose to place you on an antidepressant, which can relieve the symptoms of depression while helping control your panic attacks. Imipramine is one such antidepressant with a sedative effect, as are MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors) such as Nardil and Parnate. All of these medications treat panic, GAD and depression.
Depression Medications
Many in the medical community assert that depression is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. The main theory is that when a shortage of the chemical serotonin occurs, depression takes place. This is when your doctor may prescribe an anitdepressant such as Prozac, which has been shown to increase serotonin levels.
According to Jeanne Segal, psychologist, sociologist, author and managing editor of Helpguide.org, Prozac may not be a cure all for depression. Though it has been agreed upon by researchers that antidepressants can help you if you suffer from severe depression. Segal notes that a government study conducted in 2006 showed fewer than 50 percent of patients taking an antidepressant failed to be relieved of their depressive symptoms and that even those who became symptom-free while remaining on medication, relapsed.
The most commonly prescribed medications for depression are known as SSRIs or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. This group includes Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Lexapro and Celexa.
Anxiety Medications
There are a variety of anti-anxiety drugs available to treat GAD, however the most commonly prescribed are tranquilizers. They help relieve anxiety by slowing down the central nervous system and typically bring relief within 30 minutes. The most widely prescribed anti-anxiety medications are Xanax, Klonopin, Valium and Ativan.
In some cases, antidepressants are used to treat GAD as well. The most common antidepressants used are the SSRIs such as Celexa, Prozac, Zoloft and Lexapro.
Side Effects
Every medication has its own set of side effects, some more severe than others. In the case of tricyclic antidepressants and MAOIs, which are used on occasion to treat a combination of GAD and depression, the side effects are severe. These drugs are prescribed as a last resort when other medications have failed.
The most common side effects of antipressants include drowsiness, nausea, problems with sexual performance and difficulty sleeping. In many cases, these subside within a few weeks of taking the medication. Other antidepressants such as Wellbutrin, Cymbalta and Serzone can cause weight gain, nervousness, fatigue and nausea.
Common side effects of anti-anxiety drugs include blurred vision, sleepiness, slow reflexes, memory loss, nausea and confusion.
