SSRI’S: A solution for bad days

"I was having racing random thoughts; I was worried about everything. It was as if I needed something to worry about even if nothing was wrong in my life," said 27-year-old Malinda Ramirez about her struggle with anxiety and depression.  "I made up something to worry about. I was crying a lot as the worrying was taking over my daily thoughts and I was becoming withdrawn."

It could be that you are just having a bad day.  However, you are noticing that these days are happening more and more.  You are not the only one experiencing these feelings.  Problems with depression and anxiety are more common than the general public may realize.  As a matter of fact, according to Anxiety Disorders Association of America, anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the United States.  They affect over 40 million adults, which accounts for 18% of the U.S. population.  Even more shocking is that only 1 out of 3 people suffering from anxiety and depression is currently being treated.  That means that almost 70% of 40 million adults are suffering from symptoms daily.  That is a significant number that shouldn't be ignored.

Treatment for anxiety and depression can be approached in several different ways.  There is therapy available to help cope with the feelings that may be causing the depression.  Other unorthodox remedies have included acupuncture, yoga and even dance.  However, the most common treatment is prescription medication.

There are different types of prescription medications available to help with anxiety and depression.  The most commonly prescribed of these is a SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor).  

The medication controls the amount of serotonin that is absorbed by the brain.  This can help to balance mood and increase feelings of happiness.  Anxiety and depression are different disorders, but they can present with similar symptoms.  Often a patient who is experiencing symptoms of anxiety is also experiencing symptoms of depression and vice versa.  A little over half of patients that have an anxiety disorder are also dealing with depression.

Symptoms can go unnoticed at first, but after time have the potential of taking over your life.   

Malinda said about her symptoms, "I was always worried about something, and I never felt relaxed. Looking back, I think I have been dealing with anxiety for a very long time.  It just got to the point that I could not tolerate it on my own anymore."  

At the time, Malinda was seeing a therapist who suggested she contact her doctor about a possible medication to help ease her anxious feelings.  After she started taking Lexapro, it was only a few weeks before she started to notice improvements in her mood.  

When asked about the differences she noticed in her mood she said, "I felt relaxed, and I was not as antsy. I was able to sit down and relax.Before, I could never sit still.  In the past, I had to have something to do or something to think about.  After starting medication,  I was able to take things in stride.  It wasn't always go, go, go!"

Symptoms can vary in severity and any person who feels like they might be experiencing any depression-like symptoms should talk with their doctor.  There will be different questions your doctor will ask you to help determine which medication, if any, is right for you.  The most commonly used medications are Celexa, Lexapro, Prozac, Sarafem, Paxil, Zoloft and Symbyax.  All have different degrees of strength and should be carefully chosen by a good physician.  What is most important when talking with your doctor is to be forth-coming with all of your feelings.  

Dr. Peggy Jones practices family medicine and has prescribed SSRI's to over 100 patients over the last few years.  Dr. Jones said, "I would encourage an open conversation with your physician about your symptoms.  If there isn't a candid conversation, then your physician won't be able to effectively help you."Side effects should be discussed with your doctor prior to beginning treatment.  Most patients who experience side effects find that they do not last more than a few weeks.  Ramirez experienced some nausea and some dizziness.  In her case it only lasted  three days.  However, if side effects do not subside after a few weeks, it may be necessary for a change in the type and/or dosage of the drug you are taking.  In the case of 45-year-old Joe Connel, the side effects were far too intense and warranted a change in prescription.

"After I started taking my prescription, I was sleepy all the time.," Joe said.  "I had sensitivity to light, dizziness and could hear a constant strange buzzing sensation in my head."  He also mentioned that he had a lack of ambition and was having weird dreams.

In the case that the side effects are this prominent, it is important to bring to the attention of your doctor so you can change your medication plan.      

There isn't any conclusive scientific evidence available for what specifically causes anxiety and depression.  However, mood disorders seem to be more common in a person whose family has a history of any type of mood disorder.  Traumatic experiences can sometimes cause the problems, as well as an increased amount of stress or change in a person's life.  A number of different things can trigger symptoms.  The key is in knowing when you are no longer able to cope with these feelings on your own.