Anxiety and Depression Treatment Options
Although anxiety and depression are separate conditions with different triggers and symptoms, you can be both depressed and anxious at the same time. Learn methods that may serve as treatment for anxiety and depression simultaneously.
Anxiety and Depression Treatment: Medication
Antidepressant medications can be very effective for depression treatment, since they change the balance of neurotransmitter activity in the brain. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that affect mood and sleep. Also used in treatment for anxiety disorders, these medications include:
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
- Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
- Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs).
Anxiety disorders are also treated with benzodiazepines, medications that treat the physical effects of anxiety, such as muscle tension. Benzodiazepines, however, should only be used on a short-term basis in order to reduce side effects and the risk of dependence.
Anxiety and Depression Treatment: Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a type of counseling that can serve as treatment for anxiety and depression simultaneously. Psychotherapy can take on many forms, depending on your symptoms and their source. This type of anxiety and depression treatment can help to change feelings, beliefs and behaviors by addressing factors that may be contributing to symptoms. For example, if a traumatic event caused your anxiety, a mental health professional can help you to deal with your feelings and fears more effectively.
One type of psychotherapy is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which identifies irrational beliefs and negative emotions and replaces them with healthy ones. Exposure therapy may be successful treatment for anxiety, as it modifies responses to triggers. Though you can’t control every negative situation you’ll come across, psychotherapy may change how you’ll interpret and react to these situations.
Other Treatment for Anxiety and Depression
Though psychotherapy and medication are the most traditional types of anxiety and depression treatment, other treatment strategies are available. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), such as the Neuronetics NeuroStar TMS Therapy® system, generates magnetic pulses that pass through the scalp and skull and into the brain. Electrical activity stimulated by these magnetic pulses is thought to promote neurotransmitter activity, and has been shown to reduce symptoms in people who are depressed and anxious.
Exercise can also reduce depression and anxiety symptoms. Aerobic activities (such as running or walking) and yoga, which focuses on relaxation and strengthening, can reduce symptoms in depressed and anxious people. Exercise provides immediate mood boosts, as well as other long-term effects, especially in cases of mild to moderate depression. Ongoing studies aim to determine the most beneficial types of exercise, and exactly how physical activity reduces depression and anxiety symptoms.
Resources
Anxiety Disorders Association of America Staff. (n.d.). Medication. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from the Anxiety Disorders Association of America website: www.adaa.org/finding-help/treatment/medication.
Anxiety Disorders Association of America Staff. (n.d.). Therapy. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from the Anxiety Disorders Association of America website: www.adaa.org/finding-help/treatment/therapy.
Harvard Health Publications Staff. (2009). Yoga for anxiety and depression. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from the Harvard Health Publications website: www.health.harvard.edu/newsletters/Harvard_Mental_Health_Letter/2009/April/Yoga-for-anxiety-and-depression.
Mayo Clinic Staff. (n.d.). Depression and anxiety: Exercise eases symptoms. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from the Mayo Clinic website: www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression-and-exercise/mh00043.
Mayo Clinic Staff. (n.d.). Depression (major depression). Retrieved May 26, 2010, from the Mayo Clinic website: www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression/DS00175.
Mayo Clinic Staff. (n.d.). Generalized anxiety disorder. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from the Mayo Clinic website: www.mayoclinic.com/health/generalized-anxiety-disorder/DS00502.
Neuronetics Staff. (n.d.). How TMS therapy works. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from the Neuronetics website: www.neuronetics.com/Prod-How.aspx.
Painter, K. (2010). Exercise helps fight anxiety, depression. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from the USA Today website: www.usatoday.com/news/health/painter/2010-04-26-yourhealth26_ST_N.htm.