The medicines listed on this website are only there to give you knowledge. Just because they are on the list doesn’t mean that anyone will be given them; in the end, treatment decisions are up to the healthcare workers. The medicines on this list are not all of them. Doctors may recommend other drugs, even ones that don’t contain stimulants, depending on the patient’s specific health needs and circumstances.
Anxiety and depression are two of the most frequent mental health concerns in the United States right now. Despite the fact that they are two distinct conditions, persons who do not manage their symptoms often develop severe depression.
Because of the complexities of these problems, people with anxiety disorders are three to five times more likely to be hospitalized for mental disorders than those without them. The good news is that these disorders are highly curable with treatment and medication. For example, Prozac, which was created in the 1980s, has shown to be an effective first-line therapy for both illnesses.
Prozac is an SSRI medicine, commonly known as fluoxetine. The FDA has authorized this medication for treating obsessive-compulsive disorder[1*] and panic disorder, in addition to its original usage as an antidepressant.
Although Prozac has been used for nearly three decades, experts have recently learned that it works far better when combined with other drugs or treatments.
Fluoxetine is a prescription medicine. To purchase Prozac, you must talk with a qualified doctor.
Mental Health Concerns in the United States
An estimated 44 million individuals in the United States suffer from one or more mental health disorders. That is larger than the combined populations of New York and Florida. Unfortunately, despite these astonishing figures, only around 40% of those persons get treated.
Fortunately, the stigma traditionally linked to people diagnosed with a mental illness has shifted considerably, and the number of patients seeking care is increasing.
Although there are different sorts of diseases, the majority of mental health difficulties were classed as psychosis in the early 1900s, and as a consequence, many individuals were hospitalized. In the 1950s and 1960s, there was a drive for mental health reform, which included advances in treatment and medicine.
New antipsychotic medications have significantly improved symptom management for various psychiatric illnesses[2*] .
Since then, further advancements have enabled many practitioners to tailor therapies to each patient’s specific requirements.
Anxiety Treatment
Anxiety is described as a state of concern, uneasiness, or discomfort triggered by an impending event or anything with an unclear consequence.
It may cause excessive anxiety, apprehension, or concern, as well as change one’s emotional and behavioral processing.
Although worry may be a natural and healthy feeling, people who experience it on a regular basis may notice how it impacts their daily lives and may suffer from an anxiety disorder.
Anxiety disorder is severe and excessive. It may be accompanied by other debilitating symptoms such as trouble breathing, excessive sweating, and palpitations.
While low and moderate anxiety may be treated with therapy, breathing techniques, meditation, exercise, or aromatherapy, severe anxiety is usually treated with drugs such as Prozac, also known as fluoxetine.
How Does Prozac Work to Treat Anxiety?
Prozac works by changing the natural chemicals in the brain that regulate how we feel. Our bodies create four key chemicals that regulate mood and behavior: serotonin, endorphins, oxytocin, and dopamine.
Serotonin is also known as the happy hormone because it promotes feelings of safety, relaxation, contentment, and self-confidence. Deficiencies in this hormone may result in increased anxiety, poor self-esteem, obsessive thinking, compulsive behavior, impulsivity, and aggression. The peaceful, confident sensation we sometimes get is closely tied to a normal serotonin level.
Prozac inhibits the reabsorption of serotonin. Patients who take fluoxetine often report less symptoms and a greater sense of relaxation. They often report improved sleep, appetite, interest in life, vitality, and capacity to concentrate.
Although the advantages of Prozac may take up to 12 weeks to completely manifest, most patients report feeling more like themselves after taking the medication for a short time.
Depression Treatment
Major depressive disorder, or depression, is a common but dangerous medical ailment that affects about one in every fifteen persons each year. Although this condition may strike at any age, it most often emerges in the late teens to mid-20s.
Although depression affects both men and women, women are more prone to suffer it. Approximately one-third of all women in the United States have a significant depressive episode at some point throughout their lives.
Depression is marked by melancholy and a lack of interest in previously loved activities, and it may impair a person’s ability to operate on a daily basis. Depression, like anxiety, may be mild, moderate, or severe, affecting both the mind and the body. Changes in appetite, which impact weight, and changes in sleeping patterns are often associated with depression.
To be diagnosed with a major depressive illness, a person must exhibit symptoms for two or more weeks. Unfortunately, many people with depression wait weeks or even months before seeking help. This habit of waiting before seeking medical treatment is particularly concerning since other medical disorders may sometimes mirror depressed symptoms. Thyroid problems, brain tumors, and vitamin insufficiency are all frequent medical conditions that may induce depression. Once these physical concerns are resolved, the symptoms of sadness fade or disappear entirely.
Depression, like anxiety, is a curable condition. Eighty to ninety percent of those identified will react well to therapy.
This disorder’s evaluation consists of many steps. A diagnostic examination, which involves an interview as well as blood testing to rule out other medical disorders, will be performed. During the first examination, the practitioner will detect symptoms and examine the patient’s family history, as well as cultural and environmental issues.
Following a comprehensive assessment, a diagnosis is determined and a plan of action is developed.
Getting A Prozac Prescription
Prozac is often used to treat moderate to severe depression and is thought to be quite effective. For milder types of this condition, non-medical therapy may be recommended before seeking medical attention. Some self-help tactics may also be beneficial, but you should always contact with an anxiety doctor first.