In this fast changing and developing world, new techniques have made life easier in a lot of ways. However, they have also left some negative effects on people’s minds. Machines have taken the place of humans, thus setting them apart. Physical distances between people have created a communication gap. Things like this have become some of the major reasons of people going into depression.

These days, money has become everything for us. We have become so used to the luxuries of life that we think we need more and more money for more and more luxuries.  Having less or no money has also become a nightmare for us. In this way, financial woes are also one of the major reasons people get depressed.  There are many, many other reasons.  In addition to the reasons, there are also many treatments for this disease.  There are several drugs available, along with a lot of different types of therapies.  However, preventing a disease is much easier than curing a disease. This is of one those diseases whose symptoms are clear from the very beginning. If it is diagnosed from the start, it can be cured very well in a short span of time.

So, what are the symptoms that appear if a person is falling into depression?  Symptoms are very clear from the beginning of the disease. There is a drastic change in behavior of the person. He starts avoiding gatherings.  He gets a very negative view point about life. He thinks that he is failing in every part of his life.  If you have someone around you-family, friend or anyone else-, this is something you should pay attention to.  Do not just avoid him and hope that he will get everything together on his own. No! This is definitely the wrong way to treat this sort of patient. Instead of helping him, it will actually increase the intensity of his depression.

What he needs at this time is total support from you. He needs a shoulder and an ear. Never leave him alone at this part of his life. Listen to whatever he says. If he talks for hours, listen to him for hours. Whether what he says is useful or not, just let him speak. This is truly the best therapy.  If you think that you’re not able to do this properly, arrange counseling sessions with a good psychiatrist. If necessary, urge him to also get proper medication.  However, do not use them for a long time or rely only on them. Your time and listening power can best heal him. It can do miracles.

How Ativan Effects

The benzodiazepines are commonly known as sedatives or mild tranquilizers. They act directly on your brain by improving the effect of gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA), a chemical present in the brain. This causes the brain to calm by lowering the pace or stopping some nerve signals that it sends out.

Ativan Dosage

There are some general guidelines to be followed in administering Ativan. In tablet form, Ativan is to be administered twice or thrice in a day, or just before bedtime. Unlike most medications, there are no limitations on whether the medicine is administered before or after food. When prescribing Ativan, the dosage is decided based on some factors like your age, other medications that you might take regularly, and any other ailment that you suffer from. You ought to follow the dosage as directed by your physician. Since it affects the brain directly, Ativan could cause grave problems if you take an overdose, or if taken for a longer period than prescribed. So you should not adjust the dosage unless recommended by your doctor.

Side Effects

Though some may develop side effects, most patients tolerate Ativan well. The side effects normally caused are very minor and may not require treatment. Ativan does not cause fatal or serious side effects. Ativan normally causes side effects such as sedation or sleepiness, dizziness, weakness and instability. Apart from these, Ativan is known to cause minor sexual side effects such as variations in sex drive (mostly reduced sex drive), impotence, and orgasm problems. You ought to discuss any symptoms you experience with your doctor, and they should suggest dosage adjustments to treat them.

There have been rumors that Ativan causes hair loss and weight gain, but these have not been proven clinically as yet. If you get any serious side effect, you ought to seek medical help at the earliest convenience. Another possibility is that Ativan tends to act against other medications that you may be taking. It has been observed that Ativan interacts with medications like anesthetics, antidepressants, antipsychotics, barbiturates, narcotics, and other benzodiazepines, so you need to discuss any medication that you may be taking with the medical practitioner who has prescribed Ativan.

Like most other benzodiazepines, it is not safe to take Ativan during pregnancy. Ativan is often associated with fetal damage. If taken by pregnant woman, it might cause serious problems like congenital malformations in the fetus. The majority of these problems occur when a pregnant woman takes Ativan during the first trimester. There is no evidence of Ativan being secreted in breast milk.

Stopping Ativan all of a sudden after using it regularly could cause problems like loss of self-worth, irritability, and sleeplessness. Stoppage after prolonged use may cause sweating, seizures, cramps, or vomiting.

Anti-depressants may Aggravate Depression

Many studies in this area have shown that a small group of people who are mostly younger than 25 take antidepressants regularly for minor disorders experience aggravated depression, mood swings, or suicidal attempts. This makes it important to talk about the risks and benefits of antidepressant medication with your doctor. And this discussion should happen even if the treatment is not for a mental problem. If you start with anti depressants and experience a worsening condition, you should let your doctor know of it. The symptoms you would face in this situation are sleeplessness, tiredness, nausea, irritability, anger and mood swings. The panic attacks for which you started on medication in the first place may also worsen. You need to be watchful if you notice any of these aggravated symptoms soon after you start taking an antidepressant, or if the dosage of a certain medication is changed. Bring this fact to your doctor’s notice.

How it Works

Zoloft is another medication in the group named as selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor or SSRI. Zoloft helps improvement of your mood, sleep, hunger, as well as energy level and helps in the restoration of the interest you lost in life. You would also feel reduced fear, reduction in anxiety and less frequent panic attacks. Zoloft works by aiding the restoration of the balance of neurotransmitters (serotonin) in the human brain.

Dosage

You should look at the leaflet available with Zoloft carefully for dosage before you actually begin using it. If you see that your doctor has prescribed a stronger dose than suggested in the leaflet, please consult your doctor. Zoloft is available in the form of tablets and can be taken once every day. Zoloft may bring about different effects in different patients. It may make some more sleepy, and others more alert. Let your physician know of this, and the doctor should suggest you take the medication in the morning or at bed time. The tablet is usually taken after food. Similarly, depending on the reason why you resort to medication, the dosage and when you take it would differ.

To keep the side effects at a minimum, your doctor would put you onto a low dose first, and gradually increase it. So, the first dose you take would not be more than 200 mg. But take care to follow the doctor’s prescription carefully. Do not take an overdose or a dose lesser than prescribed. Also, try and take the medication at the same time every day, and take care not to stop the medication abruptly. This is because some of the disorders get worse when the medication is stopped suddenly. The medicine takes at least a month to show effects. Keep track of how you feel, and consult your physician regularly.

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Valium belongs to the family of benzodiazepines. The medicine is manufactured by Roche and brought to market under the following brand names: Valium, Seduxen and Apozepam. Valium can be used as an anxiolytic, and an anticonvulsant. It can help to relax the skeletal muscles. It can also be used as a sedative. Due to these properties Valium is used to treat sleeplessness and anxiety, muscular cramps and even epilepsy. Valium is being increasingly used before medical procedures like endoscopies because of its property to lessen tension. Valium is also used in the treatment of amnesia.

Dosage

Dosage of Valium administered should be based on various factors like the medical state of the patient and the age of the individual. This would ensure providing the maximum efficiency. The dosage of Valium administered to adults for insomnia would be about 30 milligrams a day as tablets. These tablets would be taken just before bed time. At the same time, to treat anxiety or panic attacks, Valium could be taken as tablets or as injective. For children of 12 years or below, the Valium dose is kept at a minimum to start with, based on the child’s body weight. It could also be given in the form of a rectal suppository. But children below six months of age should not use Valium.

Side Effects

The side effects of Valium are not too serious or fatal. Common side effects are drowsiness, muscle pain, lack of coordination, instability, tiredness, depression, and difficulty with reflexes. Most of the benzodiazepines cause similar side effects as these, and they do not require any treatment.

Other side effects like nervousness, irritation, stomach trouble, headache, sexual problems, and violence may also be caused in some patients. If these symptoms occur it means that the Valium dosage might have to be altered. Valium interacts with drugs like barbiturates and antidepressants. So if the patient has been administering any of these drugs the medical practitioner should know of it. Valium is not advised if the patient has an alcoholic history or if he had been on drugs in the past. This is because Valium can effectively aggravate the depressive results of alcohol and other sedatives. As such it could lead to dangerous situations if an alcoholic was to be treated with Valium.

There are a few more medicines and drugs that may interact with Valium, like anti-psychotics, ranitidine, and tobacco. Food stuffs that cause acidity and acidification of the urine might cause quicker absorption of Valium, thus eliminating it. This causes a drop in Valium levels and so the treatment might not be as effective as it should be. Food items that are alkaline could cause also your urine to become alkaline the result of which means that a slower absorption of Valium occurs, and the valium drug levels and effect on the body increases beyond control.

Withdrawal

If Valium is taken for more than six weeks at a time physical dependence could result. This would lead to withdrawal syndrome when Valium is discontinued. To stop Valium medication, the drug is slowly weaned and is not abruptly stopped. It takes two weeks or so to slowly reduce the dosage and come off the drug.

How it works

Xanax works on the brain, directly. It improves the effect of the chemical receptors (GABA) that helps in calming the brain. GABA is a chemical that can help to reduce the pace of certain signals from the brain. So, in the presence of Xanax, GABA becomes more effective in soothing the brain cells. Thus it succeeds as a tranquilizer and depressant.

Xanax is generally available in the form of tablets, and can be taken twice a day, or thrice. There are no restrictions on food intake while administering Xanax. For best results, Xanax is to be taken as per prescription. Variances from prescriptions, especially in terms of higher doses may cause serious consequences. The dosage is decided by the medical practitioner based on the medical condition, age of the patient, and other medications of the patient.

Side Effects

Xanax interacts with alcohol and increases its effects. It may cause minor side effects in most patients, and most of these do not require treatment. Drowsiness, tiredness and lack of coordination are the common side effects of Xanax. In some, Xanax may act in a way opposite to how it is intended to be. It might cause irritability, agitation and disturbance. In this case, the doctors ought to be consulted to get the dosage adjusted. Some patients may also experience small sexual problems like erectile dysfunction and orgasm problems. Xanax might cause addiction and the dosage should be monitored and controlled by proper medical practitioners. Xanax may cause severe breathlessness and drowsiness in some patients, and these conditions call for urgent medical help.

Your doctor should know of the following medical conditions that you may have before prescribing Xanax:

●              Glaucoma

●              Use of drugs (in the past or currently)

●              Alcoholism (Xanax can cause serious reactions in the presence of alcohol)

●              Depression

●              Liver diseases

●              Kidney related troubles

●              Lung or breathing issues

●              Allergies of any sort that you may have

Further, Xanax is not advised in pregnant women. It could cause fetal deformities and other troubles, and so it is better to discontinue the use of Xanax during pregnancy, especially during the first three months. Similarly, Xanax might excrete into human breast milk, and cause reactions to the feeding infant. As such it is recommended that breast feeding women do not use the drug. Tell your doctor of any vitamins or supplements that you may be taking.

Controlled Usage

Xanax is considered a controlled substance. This requires special rules, recommendations and regulations to be present regarding the use of the drug. The rules need to be obeyed in prescribing as well as dispensing Xanax. This medication can also cause physical as well as psychological dependence. The risk of dependence is proportional to the period of using Xanax. Stopping Xanax all of a sudden may cause serious withdrawal problems, and as such a slow weaning is recommended. Patients are advised to not stop Xanax without consulting their medical practitioner first.

How It Works

The SSRI drugs act upon the neurotransmitters in the brain. The neurotransmitters are chemicals that act as the messengers that help the nerves used to communicate with each other. The neurotransmitters are created and released by the nerves. These neurotransmitters then move to the other nearby nerves. They attach themselves to the receptors on the nerves. All of these neurotransmitters that are released from a nerve do not bind to receptors. These are then taken up by the nerves that created them. This process where a nerve takes back the neurotransmitter that it creates is referred to as re-uptake. It is believed that imbalances of neurotransmitters caused in this way leads to depression. Lexapro acts by preventing the re-uptake of a serotonin, a particular neurotransmitter. This results in the availability of more serotonin to attach to other receptors. Lexapro was approved by FDA in August 2002

Side Effects

Most of the drugs and medications cause side effects. The side effects do not occur to all patients who use the Lexapro medication. A vast majority of the patients are tolerant to the Lexapro drug. In some cases, minor side effects caused by Lexapro may be seen. Most of them do not require treatment; they disappear on their own. Some of the side effects that Lexapro causes are vomiting, sleeplessness, fatigue and tiredness, sweating, and drowsiness. In pediatric patients, the following side effects have been experienced: body ache and back pain, vomiting, chest and nasal congestion, and rarely urinary infection. Sometimes side effects like constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, dry mouth, instability, loss of hunger and tiredness may be experienced.

Lexapro does not cause fatal or serious side effects in most patients. But if any other side effects other that these are experienced, you need to consult your medical practitioner. Lexapro may sometimes cause confusion, loss of memory, hallucination, irritability, skin problems, unusual bleeding, mood swings and suicidal thoughts.

The safety of Lexapro during pregnancy has not yet been established. It is better not to use the drug during pregnancy. Lexapro is excreted in human milk, and so is not advised in breastfeeding mothers.

Certain side effects may accompany the sudden stoppage of Lexapro. Some of the stopping symptoms are sleeping disorders, nervousness, stomach upset, feeling of shock in the arms and dizziness. These severe stopping side effects can be minimized by the slow weaning off of Lexapro, rather than stopping it suddenly.  The stopping symptoms may be visible from day one to the tenth day of stopping the dose. Though none of these symptoms are life threatening, seek medical help if you experience any of them.

How it Works

Klonopin is a prescription medicine and acts on the brain of the patient. The human brain consists of a chemical named gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA), and the nerve cells make use of this chemical to communicate with each other (neurotransmitter). GABA inhibits the brain’s activity. Benzodiazepines like Klonopin act on GABA, and try to slow down the signals that the brain sends out. This results in relaxation of the nerves, and thus calming down the brain.

Dosage

The dosage of the Klonopin drug is arrived at, based on the patient’s requirements. When used to treat seizures in adults, the dosage starts at 1.5 mg every day, and is administered two or three times. The dosage may be increased till the seizures are under control. Dosage may be increased by 0.5 to 1 mg once in three days. 20 mg a day is the maximum dosage that can be given. When used to treat panic disorders, the initial dose is 0.25 mg, a couple of times daily.

Side Effects

Like all other benzodiazepines, Klonopin may interact with other medications that slow the brain’s processes. It affects the effects caused by alcohol and narcotics and it also leads to increased sedation. Klonopin and other benzodiazepines may affect the fetal health, and so, pregnant women are not advised to take them, especially during the first trimester. It is deemed better to not use the medication during the entire pregnancy. Though very clear evidence is not yet available, Klonopin may get secreted through breast milk. Hence, if possible, it is better that breastfeeding mothers do not use this medicine.

Minor side effects may be caused by Klonopin. The side effects that occur frequently are sedation, dizziness, weakness, and instability. Sedation is experienced by at least half the patients and at least one-third of them experience dizziness. Klonopin may also bring about depression, lack of coordination, headache, and sleep disorders.

Another side effect that Klonopin can cause is physical dependence. Stopping the use of Klonopin suddenly after regular use might trigger problems. This could cause troubles such as a feeling that self-worth is lost, irritability, and sleeplessness. If Klonopin treatment is stopped after using it continuously for a few months, it may lead to sudden seizures, shivers, cramps in the muscles, vomiting, and profuse sweating (Most of these are similar to symptoms of a panic disorder). So it is advised not to stop the dosage all of a sudden. Rather, you would need to reduce the dosage little by little, so as to not trigger side effects.

There are several natural alternatives available for Klonopin. Researchers have suggested several herbs that help to treat anxiety in the same way as Klonopin. But you should consult with your medical practitioner before using any of them. Chamomile, Kava, Valerian and Passion flower are some herbs that are alternatives to Klonopin.

If you go to any practicing doctor or psychiatrist, they will recommend that you take anti- depressants, sleeping pills, tranquilizers or other drugs. They help you to come out of the trauma, but only for a short period of time. In long run, they can affect a person’s health adversely. In fact, according to new research, mood-altering drugs should be used as a last resort, instead of as a method of treatment.

There are plenty alternative treatments that can be taken in to account before going on medication.  They are also thought to be as or more helpful than medication by different studies. Medicines not only affect the physical health, but also the mental health of a person.

As far as tranquilizers or sleeping pills are concerned, if they are taken for a long time in order to escape from depression, some side effects will probably occur. For example, there is a high risk of a person getting used to the drug, or developing dependence. He might then be unable to sleep without the drugs, and weaning off them is difficult… Dependence on drugs is the first and foremost thing that must be avoided.

ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS FOR DEPRESSION

So what are some alternative treatments for depression?

First of all, self-examination is very important if you want to get out of the situation. See what the real reasons are which are causing you to think negatively. List them and talk about them to your peers and family.

Have counseling sessions. They can be with psychiatrists, your best friend, your spouse, or anyone else you can depend on.

Pamper yourself and spoil yourself. Have a soothing and relaxing massage, go for aroma therapy, go to the spa, have a new haircut or get a makeover. Look fresh, and you will feel fresh for sure.

Exercise! It’s often said that exercise is great for physical health, but it’s great for mental health as well.  Give it a try!

Have a proper meal. Get a good diet chart from your dietician that includes vitamins and other important nutrients. Do not starve yourself. Eat properly and eat well!

Try yoga. It is the best exercise that you can have. It will relax your mind and will also make you tension-free.

Enjoy music. Music is also considered good treatment for depression. Music can help you to relax your mind and your body. Listen to soft and classical music. It will relax your nerves.

There is a long list that can be given to do in order to avoid depression. But the important thing is to do what you enjoy. It will help you the most. And remember, life is beautiful, enjoy it!

During pregnancy

Studies have been conducted on the effect of Ambien on animals. Studies point out that the drug or medication is not safe to be used during pregnancy. If you are pregnant or trying for a baby, you must check with your physician before taking Ambien. The US FDA has devised a pregnancy category technology to study the risk of administering Ambien to pregnant women. The study results clearly indicate that Ambien might not be safe, as it could cause deformities to the fetus.

Side Effects

The side effects of Ambien may not be experienced by every patient who uses the medicine. Most patients have taken it well. There could be small discomforts and side effects caused by Ambien, but they may not require treatment. Studies point to the fact that about 3.5% of total users have stopped taking Ambien because of the side effects it causes. This indicates that it is advised to start Ambien at very small doses and keep increasing little by little. Most common side effects from Ambien are drowsiness during day time, dizziness and headaches. It could also cause instability, tiredness, depression, hallucination, disorientation, nausea and muscle cramps. The majority of drugs used to treat sleeplessness may cause similar side effects to these, and they do not require any treatment.

Precautions

Very rarely Ambien can result in very severe side effects like short-time memory loss, irritation and anger, violence, or in the worst cases insomnia may come back. So to avoid any of these somber scenarios, it is required you let your physician know of your habits. For instance, if you take alcohol, if you are an addict, if you might have conceived, or if you are nursing, you should let your physician know of it.

The following are some of the precautions to use with Ambien medication:

• There are a number of other medicines that Ambien reacts with.
• Drinkers could develop serious side effects while they use Ambien. So, let your doctor know of your habits.
• Ambien is a Category C medicine, and is not suitable to be taken during pregnancy.
• Ambien is a medicine that can secrete into human breast milk. So, if you are a breast-feeding mother, let your doctor know.
• Do not do any task that requires alertness for a few days after you start Ambien.
• Ambien might cause amnesia, and so it is not advised to travel alone while you take Ambien.
• If your sleep disorder persists even after 10 days of taking Ambien, consult your physician.
• Elderly people are not advised to take Ambien.

The emotional symptoms caused by anxiety can be quite intense. They can start affecting you drastically, if you do not seek help with them. The emotional symptoms of anxiety can include feeling apprehensive, a feeling of unexplainable dread, difficulty concentrating, tension, stress, feeling on edge or jumpy, general pessimism, irritability, restlessness, hyper-alertness, and feeling of going blank as if under constant pressure.

Anxiety may pose a number of physical symptoms as well. Some of these symptoms are profuse sweating, lethargy and fatigue, dizziness, breathlessness or difficulty breathing, sleeplessness, upset stomach, frequent urination, muscle aches, cramps, and headaches. Often, people mistake some of these signs for other ailments as intense as a heart attack. These can be quite frightening at times and may cause problems at work or other relationships.

It is always better to treat your anxiety disorder symptoms as soon as they occur. Otherwise they may become so intense that it becomes difficult to control and relieve the symptoms. A person who suffers from such a disorder may feel the need to avoid tension and stress as much as possible in everyday life. Some may even confine themselves to their homes, as they may find it difficult to carry on with their lives. However, it is not advised to ignore the symptoms of anxiety. Ignoring the symptoms may cause them to grow to the point where the sufferer may find it difficult to breathe or ask for help from others. These panic attacks further increase the anxiety that sufferers face.

There are two ways to treat anxiety. First, it is very important to spend time for oneself. Consider yourself important, and take care of your mental and physical needs. Make time for yourself, even if your life is fast-paced. It is necessary to take on daily meditation and exercises, so that you are relaxed, and have a clear state of mind. Exercises are also very helpful to relieve the tension in the body. Meditation and relaxation in some form should be made a part of your daily routine. Moreover, it is very important to make good friends and seek their support. Your family also ought to spend time with you, and help to alleviate your tension.

If these tips and tricks to carry on with your life have not been helpful, you should certainly seek professional help. These are the cases where medication and psychological help can heal more efficiently and quickly. Medication, as well as behavioral therapy, can help to change your way of thinking and behaving.