Medication For Depression Anxiety And Anger

Luxury Anger Management Facilities

Inpatient treatment doesnt have to mean sterile, inhuman conditions. Many luxury facilities exist and are dedicated to inpatient anger management therapy. Comfortable and serene accommodations have a positive effect on mental health and mood, so its wise to consider treatment facilities carefully.

If you want to learn more about what to look for in a treatment facility, contact us at .

Electroconvulsive Therapy Electric Shock Treatment

If you have severe depression and other treatments, like medication, haven’t worked, ECT might be recommended for you.

When receiving ECT, you will be given an anaesthetic and medication that relaxes your muscles to begin with. Electrodes will be placed on your head that give an electrical “shock” to your brain.

ECT is given over a series of sessions, normally twice a week for three to six weeks.

ECT can cause side effects including nausea, headaches, aches in the muscles and memory problems.

Most people find that ECT is good for relieving severe depression, but the beneficial effects tend to wear off when several months have passed.

Treatment For Depression & Anger

Lifestyle changes may be the first step toward lessening or eliminating symptoms of anger and depression. First, consider reflecting on your daily routine. Do you take adequate time to care for your physical and emotional well-being? Are you getting enough sleep and exercising regularly? If not, focusing on optimizing your routine may be the first step.

Dont forget about self-care. Self-care is an essential component of emotional regulation and distress tolerance. Even carving out twenty minutes for an invigorating walk or calling a friend may make a significant difference in how you feel.

Remember that even the best lifestyle habits might not be enough to ward off depression and anger. Working with a professional therapist can help you learn more about your mental health triggers and develop healthier coping tools to manage distress. When searching for a therapist, consider searching for a provider who specializes in cognitive-behavioral therapy . CBT focuses on examining the relationship between problematic thoughts and behaviors. Learning how to challenge and change these thoughts can improve how you feel.

Medication can also help reduce the severity of your symptoms. SSRIs such as Zoloft, Paxil, Celexa, and Prozac help balance the neurotransmitters impacting your emotions and mood. As a result, these antidepressants may boost your overall mood and help you feel less reactive to stressful situations.

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Connection Between Depression & Anger

Research suggests that anger may play an influential role in depression. In fact, some clinicians postulate that depression is simply anger directed inwards. Today, many theorists and mental health professionals argue that subsequent challenges associated with coping with anger may trigger the onset and maintenance of depression.3

Anger typically arises in response to a real or perceived threat. Whether its being rejected, disrespected, or betrayed, these experiences trigger a sense of powerlessness that can quickly spiral into anger. Experiencing multiple episodes without learning how to cope appropriately may reinforce depression.

Likewise, people with depression symptoms often exhibit symptoms of overt or suppressed anger.4 For one, their depression may make them feel upset with themselves. In addition, depression can make it challenging to cope and reconcile anger. If you lack the energy or motivation to use healthy coping skills, difficult emotions can quickly compound and become overwhelming.

Finally, there might be gender differences explaining some of this connection between depression and anger. For instance, in many cases, its more socially acceptable for a man to be aggressive vs. tearful. As we know, young men are praised to act tough and be strong.5

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Still, people with depression can have a hard time recognizing this in their own lives.

When I called up the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance to ask about anger, I reached its communications person, Kevin Einbinder. He initially thought to himself, “I’m sure somebody else certainly deals with anger, but I don’t have anger issues associated with depression.”

Then he started reflecting on his life with depression over the past three decades. “I thought of all the people in my life who have interacted with me my family, the counselors, psychiatrists, even employers, significant others,” he says, “and I realized that anger was an underlying factor in all those relationships.”

For example, he used to use caustic, sarcastic humor to put people down. “This really drove people away,” says Einbinder. He also recalls sending angry emails late at night after lying awake and ruminating about things that had happened during the day. A counselor helped him see why this wasn’t such a good way to handle problems.

Overall, though, he and his caregivers never focused on anger.

In hindsight, he says, he really wishes they had.

“I think that would have provided a tremendous amount of context for what’s adding to my depression and in helping me, early on in my life, with more effective coping mechanisms,” Einbinder says.

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Special Benzodiazepine Risk Factors

Anyone who takes benzodiazepines can experience unpleasant or dangerous side effects. But certain individuals are at a higher risk:

People over 65. Older adults are more sensitive to the sedating effects of benzodiazepines. Even small doses can cause confusion, amnesia, loss of balance, and cognitive impairment that looks like dementia. Benzodiazepine use in the elderly is associated with an increased risk of falls, broken hips and legs, and car accidents. Long-term benzodiazepine use also increases the risk of Alzheimers disease and dementia.

People with a history of substance abuse. Because theyre physically addicting and on their own and dangerous when combined with alcohol and other drugs, anyone with a current or former substance abuse problem should use benzodiazepines only with extreme caution.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women. Benzodiazepine use during pregnancy can lead to dependence in the developing baby, with withdrawal following birth. Benzodiazepines are also excreted in breast milk. Therefore, pregnant women need to have a thorough discussion about the risks and benefits of these medications with their prescribing doctor. If medication is necessary, the goal is the smallest effective dose.

The connection between benzodiazepines and accidents

Treatment For Anxiety & Anger

If your symptoms are interfering with your life or spiraling out of control, reach out to a medical professional. You can start by discussing your symptoms with a primary care doctor or seeking individual therapy through an online directory. This resource allows you to filter your preferences and particular needs to choose a therapist who can provide you with the appropriate treatment for your anxiety and anger management issues.

Sometimes, especially in chronic cases, medication in combination with therapy can be necessary. There arent any specific medications for anger, but since it usually co-occurs with other mental conditions like anxiety, anxiety medication may be appropriate. Talk to your doctor or psychiatrist to determine your options.4

The most widely used therapeutic approach is cognitive behavioral therapy . It works under the assumption that unhealthy thought patterns exacerbate anger and anxiety. Working with a mental health professional who is well-versed in CBT can help you identify your triggers, develop self-awareness, and notice distorting/negative thoughts that you can then reframe.4,5,9

Here are several other ways to manage your symptoms on your own:4,5,6,9

• Get proper sleep

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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Treatment For Anger Disorders

One of the most common types of psychotherapy is cognitive behavioral therapy. The purpose of the treatment is to help an angry person recognize the self-defeating negative thoughts that lie behind anger flare-ups. Patients work with a mental health professional to learn how to manage stressful life circumstances more successfully.

The cognitive behavioral approach has many benefits. Patients learn to:

• Cope better with difficult life situations
• Positively resolve conflicts in relationships
• Deal with grief more effectively
• Mentally handle emotional stress caused by illness, abuse or physical trauma
• Overcome chronic pain, fatigue and other physical symptoms

Cognitive therapies are structured and may offer quicker results than other approaches. Better yet, the results are lasting, with patients showing significantly decreased relapse rates.

This sort of treatment tends to focus on specific problems and personal triggers. Youll learn how to deal with your particular issues using conscious, goal-centered strategies.The specific steps in cognitive behavioral therapy include:

• Identification of situations or circumstances in your life that lead to trouble
• Awareness of your thoughts and emotions surrounding anger triggers
• Acknowledgement of inaccurate, negative thought patterns
• Relearning of healthier, positive thought patterns

Depression And Drugs And Alcohol

“Drowning your sorrows” is actually a bad idea when it comes to depression. Alcohol is categorised as a “strong depressant” which can make depression worse, and drinking or taking drugs to cope can lead to a downward spiral by having a negative affect on other parts of your life.

There’s evidence that cannabis can cause depression, particularly in teenagers, even if it helps you relax.

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Got Anger Try Naming It To Tame It

If you pick up what is often called the “bible of psychiatry,” the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, you’ll find that the list of core symptoms for major depression doesn’t include anger.

“It’s not included at all in the adult classification of depression,” says Dr. Maurizio Fava, a psychiatrist at Massachusetts General Hospital and a professor at Harvard Medical School.

This story is part of a series from NPR’s Science desk called “The Other Side of Anger.” There’s no question we are in angry times. It’s in our politics, our schools and homes. Anger can be a destructive emotion but it can also be a positive force.

Join NPR in our exploration of anger and what we can learn from this powerful emotion. Read and listen to stories in the series here.

But he points out that irritability a reduced control over one’s temper that results in angry outbursts is listed as a core symptom of depression for children and adolescents. It has never made sense to him that it’s not included for adults. “Why would someone who happens to be irritable and angry when depressed as an adolescent suddenly stop being angry at age 18?” he asks.

Anger is an emotional and physical feeling that makes people want to warn, intimidate or attack a person who is perceived as threatening. Fava says a depressed adult with lots of anger is often assumed to have bipolar disorder or a personality disorder.

What Are The Different Antidepressants And How Do They Work

The most commonly prescribed cause changes in brain chemistry that affect how neurons communicate. Exactly how this improves mood remains somewhat of a mystery, but the fact that they do often work is well-established.

• SSRIs This category of drug includes Prozac , Celexa , and Zoloft and targets , a neurotransmitter that helps control mood, appetite, and sleep.
• SNRIs SNRIs include drugs like Cymbalta , Pristiq , and Effexor XR , which block the reabsorption of both serotonin and another neurotransmitter, .
• NDRIs This class of medications includes bupropion.
• TCAs include such drugs as Tofranil and Pamelor . These drugs were among the earliest antidepressants to come on the market. These days, doctors generally only turn to them when treatment with SSRIs, SNRIs, and NDRIs has failed.
• MAOIs MAOIs, including Nardil and , were the first antidepressants developed. Theyre rarely used today, in part because people who take them require careful monitoring to prevent negative interactions with certain foods and other medications.

All antidepressants can have side effects, but some may be more problematic than others. You may need to try several different medications, or a combination, guided by your doctor, before you find what works best for you.

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What Are The Symptoms Of Common Mood Disorders

Symptoms depend on the type of mood disorder that is present.

Symptoms of major depression may include:

• Feeling sad most of the time or nearly every day
• Lack of energy or feeling sluggish
• Feeling worthless or hopeless
• Loss of appetite or overeating
• Gaining weight or losing weight
• Loss of interest in activities that formerly brought enjoyment
• Sleeping too much or not enough
• Frequent thoughts about death or suicide
• Difficulty concentrating or focusing

Symptoms of bipolar disorder may include both depression and mania. Symptoms of hypomanic or manic episodes include:

• Feeling extremely energized or elated
• Rapid speech or movement
• Risk-taking behavior, such as spending too much money or driving recklessly
• Unusual increase in activity or trying to do too many things at once
• Racing thoughts
• Feeling jumpy or on edge for no apparent reason

The Most Commonly Prescribed Ones Include:

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are the most prescribed type of antidepressant and include:

• Fluoxetine
• Paroxetine
• Escitalopram

Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors are similar to SSRIs. Common ones include venlafaxine and duloxetine.

Bupropion works differently than SSRIs or SNRIs. It also treats seasonal affective disorder and helps people stop smoking.

Older antidepressant medications include tricyclics, tetracyclics, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors . They are prescribed less often than other medications because they tend to cause more side effects. However, they work better for some people.

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Types Of Antidepressant Medications

There are several classes of antidepressants within each class there are many individual medications. While all antidepressants work well overall, no drug or type of drug works equally well for everyone who takes it. You may be advised to try more than one type of antidepressant or to use a combination of antidepressants to seek relief from your distress.

The different types of antidepressants are listed in the order in which they are most commonly prescribed. Medications are referred to in two ways: by their generic name and by their brand or trade names. Brand names available in Canada appear in brackets.

SSRIs

This group of drugs, including fluoxetine , paroxetine , fluvoxamine , citalopram , escitalopram and sertraline , is usually the first choice for treatment of depression and anxiety disorders. These medications are known to have milder side-effects than some other antidepressants. Buspirone is similar to SSRIs and has been found to help with anxiety but not depression.

Common side-effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weight gain, dry mouth, headaches, anxiety, sedation and a decrease in sexual desire and response. This group of drugs may also cause a jittery or restless feeling and sleep difficulties, such as problems falling asleep, waking in the night, vivid dreams or nightmares.

SNRIs

NDRIs

Common side-effects are jitteriness and insomnia.

NaSSAs

Common side-effects are drowsiness and weight gain.

Nonselective cyclics

MAOIs

What Does Antidepressant Medications Do

Antidepressant medications increase the activity of chemicals called neurotransmitters in the brain. Increasing the activity of the neurotransmitters serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine seems to help lessen the symptoms of depression and anxiety. However, the brain is a very complex organ and the reasons why these drugs work are not yet fully understood.

We do know that these drugs help to relieve symptoms of depression and anxiety in up to 70 per cent of people who try them. This rate is even higher when people who dont get relief with one type of antidepressant try a second type.

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Moving From Maladaptive Anger To Adaptive Emotions

Emotionally focused therapy involves transforming your maladaptive emotions by addressing their root cause. One way to do this is by verbalizing your critical inner voice. For example, in the case of gaining weight, the critical inner voice might sound something like this.

“Look at how much weight you’ve gained. You have no self-control and you’ll never be able to lose it now. You might as well accept that it’s hopeless and you’ll be overweight forever. Nothing you try ever works and you just don’t have any willpower.”

Thus, the idea is to put the critical inner voice into words as though they are being spoken by someone outside of your head. This involves expressing feelings behind thoughts and making sure to use “you” statements so it sounds as though the critical inner voice is coming from someone else. This allows you to separate yourself from those thoughts and see them as coming from outside of yourself.

Once you are able to step outside of your thoughts and view them as an external critical voice, the next step is to develop insights into where that critical voice might have developed. This is the process of transforming the maladaptive emotion.

The next step involves responding to the critical inner voice and answering back against the criticisms. In this way, you are essentially “taking your own side.”

For example, in the case of the critical inner voice that talks about your weight gain, you might respond to that voice in the following ways.

Stand Up To Your Inner Critic

As discussed in the section on emotionally focused therapy, being able to stand up to your inner critic will help to alleviate your depression and possibly also reduce your anger. This requires you to acknowledge your anger and emotions, rather than avoiding your feelings.

This is best done with the help of a therapist however, you can also engage in this process by writing about your feelings in a journal, identifying your critical inner voice, writing responses to your critical inner voice

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Using Awareness Of Anger To Understand Panic

• What does anger look like to you?
• Did you grow up being able to experience and express it?
• Are you able to express it now? How, when, with whom?
• Whats the relationship between when you feel angry , and your struggles with anxiety?

They aren’t easy questions to ask, or answer.

There’s a great deal we don’t know about how an anxious mind processes anger but I do know not dealing with it, denying it, increases the chances it’ll wreak havoc with your life, maybe even stop you finding ways to treat anxiety.