Can Lexapro Help You Stop or Relieve Depression

Are you depressed? Are you looking for a solution to your depression? Would you like to know what you can do to start getting some relief from the terrible low feeling that keeps bugging you and rendering you ineffective and lethargic? Have you tried all sorts of treatment options with little or no avail? Depression is a pretty strong mental condition that can literally keep you down for months and in extreme cases, years. Research has shown that three in every ten Americans suffer from some form of depression. For some, the depression can be mild and situational (caused by circumstances and will pass), while for others it can be clinical and extreme sometimes leading to what is known as bipolar disorder.

If you have such depression, then one sure treatment option to consider is the generic Lexapro. Being one of the popularly known drugs prescribed by doctors for depression and general anxiety orders, it is a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) which works by blocking the re-absorption or reuptake of serotonin. Lexapro is made up of escitalopram oxalate and is a second generation drug from the drug known earlier on as Celexa. It is more popular now, because it doesn’t have the extreme side effects that Celexa used to have on patients.

Lexapro is effective because unlike its predecessor – Celexa which is still sold as Cipramil – it can help patients go about their normal activities without fear of being hit by anxiety disorders and depression. Research has shown that most patients who buy Lexapro online start showing signs of recovery within 72 hours of treatment with the drug. Patients become more motivated and feel more alive after the beginning to treatment. Not just that, extended use often results in the prevention of a relapse which many depression patients suffer most times.

Lexapro like most drugs has its side effects. These include:

  • Headaches
  • Tiredness
  • Emotional Numbness
  • Nausea
  • Reduced Sexual Drive
  • Inability to Orgasm
  • Delayed Ejaculation in Men
  • Insomnia
  • Drowsiness

Apart from all these, Lexapro helps many people get their lives back on track. Before taking Lexapro however, ensure that you inform your doctor of about any drugs you are currently taking. If you drink alcohol, intend to get pregnant or are already pregnant, are breastfeeding a baby, are diabetic, have cardiovascular conditions, let your doctor know. This is important to help forestall any negative drug interactions that may further harm you or your baby.

Lexapro is quite pricey; but if you want a cheaper but also very effective variation, you can buy the Indian manufactured brand. This is in no way less effective than Lexapro which is produced for the American populace. It’s the same thing, just packaged for the different geographic territories.

Lexapro is available in most commonwealth countries, AustraliaCanadaUK and the US and you can easily buy escitalopram over the counter at any chemist or online pharmacy. In some countries (India) You can buy lexapro online without a prescription in generic form of escitalopram oxalate.

Lexapro Video Explained

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Anxiety is both an emotional feeling and a disorder

Anxiety is both an emotional feeling and a disorder. Anxiety is a normal feeling and can be brought about by changes, uncertain situations, the knowledge that something is about to change, or an experience of uncertainty. However, when anxiety interferes with a person’s ability to function in everyday situations or to participate in the daily activities of life, anxiety is then considered a disorder.

Anxiety disorders may bring on symptoms such as restlessness, fatigue, a chronic feeling of being edgy, a lump in the throat, difficulty concentrating, being easily distracted, irritability, insomnia, impatience, excessive sweating, shortness of breath, stomach aches, diarrhea, headaches, muscle tension, and anxiety attacks, which can feel very much like heart attacks. Anxiety disorders may be constant or may come in periods of dysfunction. In some people anxiety is always there but at varying degrees. Chronic anxiety disorders do not typically improve without professional intervention.

Though doctors and researcher have tried to understand why some people have stronger anxiety emotions than others, they haven’t been able to determine the cause of anxiety disorders. When anxiety arises in an otherwise emotionally healthy person, this causes hormones to be released that indicate to the body it may need to flee or fight. This is known as the flight or fight response. It is a primitive yet intricate part of the human make up. The anxiety is response is normal when threatened or when the perception of being threatened arises, however, chronic anxiety is not.

Possible causes of anxiety disorders include chronic illnesses, specific illnesses such as hyperactive thyroid, severe stress or chronic stress, a reaction to trauma, heredity factors, and personality traits. Post traumatic stress disorder can often mimic anxiety disorders and it can be very difficult to tell the two apart in some cases.

Risk factors for a chronic anxiety disorder are somewhat vague, although they may include a stressful lifestyle, a familial anxiety disorder, poor nutrition, a long term build up of stress, a personality disorder that is more likely to lead to anxiety disorders, and a serious or long term illness or injury. Chronic anxiety disorders tend to happen much more frequently in people with chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, lupus, and osteoarthritis.

Diagnosing chronic anxiety usually entails an office visit with either a physician or a mental health professional. A psychological evaluation can help determine whether a patient is suffering from chronic anxiety or a lesser degree of anxiety. A physical examination is recommended to rule out any physical causes for intense anxiety. Most physicians and mental health professionals will not diagnose a chronic anxiety disorder unless the patient presents with life affecting symptoms for at least six months or more. Short term chronic anxiety is not the same as chronic anxiety disorder. Short term anxiety is usually diagnosed through an evaluation, and often the patient can determine the cause of their anxiety.

Treatment for anxiety is determined by the severity of the anxiety, and whether it is considered chronic or short term. Medications such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety medication may be prescribed to help the patient relax in order to deal with the cause of the anxiety. In short term anxiety, anti-anxiety medications usually work well enough. In chronic anxiety, antidepressants may be used along with anti-anxiety medications. Medication is not always the first choice when dealing with anxiety. It may seem like the easiest, but unless the cause of the anxiety is determined, the patient will never recover and live with only a normal or moderate amount of anxiety. Psychotherapy or talking therapy is a more direct method of dealing with the anxiety, whether it is long term or short term. Psychotherapy can often help alleviate the anxiety through discovering the root of the problem or by teaching the patient new coping skills.

People who suffer from anxiety are more likely to develop other health problems. Anxiety sufferers tend to be less healthy overall, even catch more colds than those with average levels of anxiety. Those with anxiety disorders may not be able to function normally, enjoy a day at the beach or even take their dog for a walk. Daily activities can cause too much anxiety for serious cases.

Dealing with anxiety is difficult, and the patient needs to learn to take one day at a time in order to develop better coping skills slowly. Celebrating the small achievements is likely to lead to larger ones.

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Depression and its causes

Depression can strike anyone. Often a case of the “blues” can lead to depression. There are various types of depression, elderly depression, post partum depression, situation depression, and depression caused by chemical imbalances in the brain.

The symptoms of depression include new sleeping habits, new eating habits, a sense of hopelessness, disillusionment, pessimism, worthlessness, changes in behavior, changes in mood patterns, or a sullen and withdrawn attitude. The patient needs to express 5 or more of these symptoms for at least two weeks to be considered to have major depressive disorder, but having any two symptoms for a week or more may be a sign of mild to moderate depression. Severe depression can lead to irrational thoughts and behavior, including thoughts of hurting oneself or suicide.

Depression can be brought on by a multitude of causes. A chemical imbalance in the brain is responsible for less than 25% of depression. Situational depression, depression caused by the death of a loved one, an unhealthy living environment, a loss, a change, or other variable factors. Depression can be brought on by some medications. The long term use of pain relieving narcotics such as morphine can lead to severe depression as can the long term use of other medications. Hormonal changes, particularly those after giving birth, can bring on post partum depression. Heredity may play a factor in depression, but it is not necessarily a determining factor.

There are few risk factors for depression, as anyone can experience depression if the circumstances are right. Women are more likely to be depressed than men, and depression can sometimes run in families. People who come from disruptive or abusive homes or have experienced abuse in their past are more likely to become depressed. People who have experienced a severe depression once are more likely to experience it again.

Depression is typically diagnosed through a visit with either a family doctor or a mental health professional. A series of questions can be asked and answered in order to determine the severity of depression. Most people know when they are depressed, or others can recognize it for them. Medical causes that can show some signs of depression should be ruled out prior to diagnosing an individual as depressed. The Beck’s Depression Scale Inventory test and other tests and screening questions may be used in determining whether or not someone is depressed.

Untreated depression can lead to serious consequences, such as the loss of a job, illness, the loss of family, and in some cases self inflicted death. Even treated depression can lead to self inflicted wounds and in the worst case scenario, death. Depression is serious and needs to be remedied as early as possible. Post partum depression can lead to the mother harming herself or her baby.

There is a multitude of option when treating depression. Depression can be treated with counseling, medication, in-patient therapy, interventions to allow for normal sleep patterns, and image related therapies. Though quite controversial, many clinics and inpatient facilities still perform electric shock therapy on severely depressed patients. However, more progressive psychologists and psychiatrists are attempting more progressive forms of alternative therapies such as stimulative therapies.

Because there are so many treatment options not every mental health professional treats depression in the same manner. That means that while his or her techniques may be appropriate for some, they may not be appropriate for all. Considering that most people in a depressive state are not thinking as clearly as they normally would, it may be a good idea to have a significant other involved in the treatment plan.

Depression as well as treatment for depression has their share of side effects and risks. Careful monitoring is required in order to successfully treat and “cure” depression. While depression can in fact be cured, those with a history of depression are likely to experience some form of depression again in the future. It is vital that patients understand their treatment, their risk factors, and learn to monitor their own depression in order to successfully win against depression. Regular exercise, healthy sleep and eating habits, and managing stress are all methods of managing and combating depression. Knowing when depression is no longer managageable and knowing when to ask for help is vital for all depression sufferers.

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Lexapro (Escitalopram Oxalate) Drug Information

Lexapro, which is generically prescribed as escitalopram, is commonly used to treat anxiety and depression. Lexapro is a member of the family of drugs known as SSRIs, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor.

Lexapro is not appropriate for everyone. A thorough medical history should be assessed prior to prescribing this medication. Patients with a medical history that includes liver disease, kidney disease, bipolar disorder, seizures, epilepsy, or a history of self harm or suicidal thoughts should not take Lexapro or may require careful monitoring while undergoing drug therapy with Lexapro, depending on the condition and the severity of the condition.

The American Food and Drug Administration has rated Lexapro as a pregnancy risk category C. This medication has been known to cause serious harm or birth defects to newborns that have been exposed to Lexapro while in the uterus, especially life threatening lung problems. Lexapro has been proven to pass through the mother’s breast milk and can cause harm to a nursing baby. The prescribing physician should avoid prescribing this medication to pregnant or nursing women, or women who are likely to become pregnant.

There is a risk of side effects associated with Lexapro, some of which are severe. A patient who is experiencing a serious side effect or an allergic reaction should seek immediate emergency medical intervention. An allergic reaction will present with symptoms that include facial swelling, including swelling of the lips, mouth, throat, or tongue. Other serious side effects which require emergency medical attention include symptoms such as convulsions, tremors, shivering, muscle stiffness, twitching, lack of balance or coordination, agitation, confusion, or fast and uneven heart rate.

Some patients develop suicidal or self destructive behaviors while taking Lexapro. Patients who exhibit behavior like mood changes, anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, irritation, agitation, aggressiveness, severe restlessness, mania, or thoughts of self harm or suicidal ideation should seek immediate medical treatment.

Other less serious side effects typically do not require emergency medical attention, but should be reported to the prescribing physician. Patients should be encouraged to report all side effects. Less serious side effects include symptoms such as nervousness, anxiety, restlessness, headaches, trouble concentrating, drowsiness, dizziness, insomnia, nausea, diarrhea, heartburn, dry mouth, ringing in the ears, changes in weight, or sexual dysfunction. Less serious side effects can often be reduced to a tolerable level by reducing the dosage of Lexapro.

Lexapro should be taken as it has been prescribed by the physician. If the patient misses a dose, the dose should be taken as soon as it is remembered. However, if it is close to the next scheduled dose, the missed dose should be skipped to avoid the potential for an overdose. The patient should never take a double dose of this medication. If an overdose is suspected, the patient should seek immediate emergency medical intervention. An overdose will present with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, tremor, sweating, rapid heart rate, confusion, dizziness, seizures, coma, and death.

There is a risk of negative drug interactions associated with Lexapro. Patients should be urged to inquire with the prescribing physician before taking any new medications, including over the counter medications and herbal remedies. Medications that have known interactions with Lexapro include carbamazepine, cimetidine, lithium, blood thinners, other antidepressants, and almotriptan. Patients who have taken an MAOI within 14 days prior to starting Lexapro run the risk of serious drug interactions that may cause death.

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