How to Know When Depression or Anxiety Requires Medication

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”  This ancient Chinese proverb holds true today, especially when it comes to mental health.

Board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner Bosede Iwuamadi, DNP, PMHNP, helps patients experiencing depression and anxiety, or other mental health issues, through therapy and medication management via telehealth at Newstone Behavioral Health in Garland, Texas.

Symptoms of depression

Everyone feels sad from time to time. When these feelings linger for two weeks or longer, you may be clinically depressed. Signs include:

• Overwhelming feelings of sadness
• Feeling frustrated or anxious much of the time
• Sleeping too little or too much
• Losing your appetite for extended periods
• Overeating to keep emotions at bay
• Using drugs or alcohol to block your feelings
• Low self-esteem
• Trouble concentrating
• Thoughts about self-harm

Anxiety, on the other hand, may cause constant worry and panic attacks, making you avoid many activities out of fear. Dr. Iwuamadi decides whether your depression and/or anxiety would benefit from medication in addition to therapy.

Medications for depression and anxiety

As many as 31% of adults in the United States face an anxiety disorder over the course of their lives. Nearly half of those experiencing depression also deal with anxiety.

Antidepressants and other medications help by changing the way your brain utilizes certain chemicals that influence your mood, such as:

Serotonin

When it’s too low or too high, it may create problems with sleep, mood, digestion, bone health, blood clotting, sexual desire, and more.

Norepinephrine

Both a neurotransmitter and a hormone, norepinephrine triggers your “fight-or-flight” response. Low levels may contribute to depression, while too much may cause anxiety.

Dopamine

This “feel-good” hormone encourages your brain to communicate with your nerve cells. You might feel fatigued or depressed if it sinks below a certain level. Too much, on the other hand, makes you overstimulated and anxious.

Some anti-anxiety medications, such as beta-blockers, may be used in the short term to address unwanted symptoms.

It’s crucial to monitor your reactions to any medication. Dr. Iwuamadi offers these and other medications to improve your depression or anxiety, altering the dosage and type as needed.  

Will medication help?

When symptoms, such as hopelessness, low energy, sadness, or anxiety, overwhelm your life for weeks at a time, Dr. Iwuamadi may diagnose you with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) or major depressive disorder (MDD). The doctor may prescribe medication in addition to therapy for more severe cases.

It’s important to give mental health prescriptions time to work. Antidepressants, for instance, may take up to two months to influence your mood. If one type doesn’t work, Dr. Iwuamadi could combine it with a different one or try another medication entirely.

This is why medication management is so important. When combined with psychotherapy, it helps keep you on track. Our team oversees your medication, adjusting it as needed so you feel more balanced.

The many faces of depression and anxiety

Depression and anxiety affect everyone differently, especially during different stages of life.  

Young children may act clingy and anxious, wanting to stay home from school by pretending to be sick. 

Young adults might feel their future holds little promise, using food or alcohol to block out their pain. 

Older adults, who often deal with myriad physical ailments that worsen their condition, may feel too little emotion.

Symptoms may also reveal themselves physically. When anxious or depressed, you may experience:

• Chronic headaches
• A tight chest
• Racing heartbeat
• Digestive problems

Dr. Iwuamadi helps you understand whether your physical issues stem from mental health conditions or should be treated separately.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and beyond

Dr. Iwuamadi may recomment therapy, such as CBT, to help you transform unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. In addition to therapy and/or medication, the doctor recommends certain lifestyle adjustments, such as:

• Keep your sleep pattern as regular as possible
• Engage in physical activities to trigger feel-good hormones
• Try to connect more with caring friends and family
• Eat more healthy foods, such as fruits, veggies, and lean proteins such as fish
• Consume less sugar and saturated fat

Studies have shown a correlation between anxiety, sugar, and saturated fats. These may also worsen depression.

It’s crucial not to mix drugs or alcohol with prescribed medications. This may cause unwanted side effects, such as dizziness or drowsiness, or decrease the drug’s effectiveness.

Remember, you’re not alone

Talking to a counselor lets you explore coping strategies together, while medication further stabilizes your mood. One or both of these paths usually work better than trying to overcome these issues on your own.

Dr. Iwuamadi provides compassionate care, as well as medication management, for depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues through telehealth. If you or a family member suffers from depression or other mental health issues, contact us at Newstone Behavioral Health in Garland, Texas, today.