How do I Choose the Best Antidepressant for Anxiety?

When trying to choose an antidepressant for anxiety, you may need to evaluate a wide range of criteria before reaching the decision that is best for you. The goal of the selection process is to determine which antidepressant will be most effective for your symptoms and cause the mildest and lowest number of side effects. If you take an antidepressant that does not suit your needs, it could worsen symptoms or create unnecessary health issues.

The first step is to consult a doctor or other licensed medical professional. By discussing your specific needs with a physician, you can gain a greater knowledge of what antidepressant may be best for you. Including a doctor or other medical practitioner in your decision-making process is wise because they have access to pertinent information about the drugs as well as your medical history and possible allergies.

Existing medical conditions that could worsen with the use of anxiety medications is a major concern. Many antidepressants for anxiety have adverse side effects when consumed by individuals with pre-existing health problems. It is also important to discover potentially dangerous drug interactions if you currently take other medications.

It is also a good idea to perform your own research. You may gain a greater understanding of an antidepressant for anxiety by examining consumer guides and books. Utilizing the Internet may also be useful for finding testimonials, satisfaction rates, and other pertinent information from people who have taken specific anxiety remedies.

One factor that deserves consideration is the number of side effects associated with anxiety medications. Some types of antidepressants have a higher instance of unwanted secondary effects than similar treatment alternatives. If one medication has too many potential side effects or negative aspects that seem too hard to manage, you may want consider other options.

One frequent side effect of antidepressants is sexual dysfunction, which is an important factor for many people. Many antidepressants are also capable of causing weight gain. Additionally, most antidepressants prohibit rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, which may cause tiredness and general feelings of lethargy. Some medications have milder side effects than others, but it may be difficult to completely avoid these issues.

You may wish to consider your future plans when choosing an antidepressant for anxiety. If you are or may become pregnant, taking an antidepressant for anxiety may be unwise. Thinking about how long you will take the drug is also significant because the benefits of antidepressants typically are greater with short-term use. You also should be aware of the severity of possible withdrawal symptoms and the potential difficulty of ceasing a drug’s use, because an antidepressant for anxiety could be addictive.