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Best Antidepressant For Chronic Fatigue

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What Do Antidepressants Do

Burn Out to Brilliance. Recovery from Chronic Fatigue | Linda Jones | TEDxBirminghamCityUniversity

The medications relieve depression by causing the brains chemical neurotransmitters to become more active.

In treating depression and anxiety, the neurotransmitters serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine are a critical part of the mix. The brain is a highly complex organ, so the exact reason these drugs work isnt entirely understood.

Most people who use these drugs often report relief from depression and anxiety symptoms. There is an even greater chance of success with these prescriptions when people use the second type of antidepressant if they do not find relief with the first one.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are a commonly prescribed class of antidepressants. Taking these drugs doesnt cause significant side effects, even at higher dosages. They can help to alleviate mild to moderate depression.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs as theyre commonly referred to, target only serotonin. These antidepressants prevent serotonin from getting absorbed back into neurons.

Consequently, this increases the brains supply of available serotonin, enhancing a persons mood and outlook on life.

The effect of SSRIs on anxiety is often described as turning down the volume on anxious thoughts.

It may have similar or higher effects to practicing mindfulness and participating in psychotherapy.

Apart from reducing physiological symptoms of depression and anxiety , SSRIs may also reduce psychological symptoms.

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Conventional Medical Treatments Doctors Use To Treat Chronic Fatigue

People who receive an early diagnosis and early treatment enjoy better health outcomes. Support from family and friends, people at school and work, and health workers who understand the potential seriousness of CFS, can make a significant difference to recovery. Find a good doctor you trust a doctor who is sympathetic to CFS and knows how to treat the problem.

The treatment goal should be enhancement towards and preservation of an individuals best functional capacity. The lifestyle restrictions associated with CFS can lead to isolation, frustration, and in turn secondary depression. Low doses of an antidepressant drug can treat depression, improve sleep quality, and relieve pain.

No one treatment has been shown to cure CFS and so symptoms are treated as needed. The most effective treatment for CFA can be an energy-management strategy called pacing knowing when enough is enough and not overdoing mental or physical exertion.

A doctor will usually treat the most disruptive symptoms first, which usually includes:

  • Fatigue and sleep problems

The most commonly used medications and supplements are:

Many people with CFS report an increased susceptibility to drug side effects, so any new medications should start with a small dose to assess tolerance. Start just one new treatment at a time to assess effectiveness. CFS symptoms reoccur so keep medications and supplement in case they are needed later on, just check the expiry date before reuse.

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Alternative Medicine For The Treatment Of Chronic Fatigue

Pain associated with chronic fatigue syndrome can be eased using alternative medical treatments that relax the musculoskeletal system, including:

  • Osteopathic treatment
  • Therapeutic massage, and
  • Yoga, Qui gong, or tai chi.

Current medical treatment for CFS cant cure the problem, but patients benefit greatly when treatments reduce the physical and emotional effects of symptoms, and extend physical and emotional capacity and resilience.

Seeing A Doctor About Depression

Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue, IBS, Depression and Anxiety All Gone ...

Big changes in your life, like bereavement, losing a job, or even having a baby, can cause symptoms of depression. Youâre also more likely to experience depression if you have a family history of depression. However, itâs also possible to become depressed without there being an obvious reason.

You can learn more about depression causes here.

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Should You Treat Your Depression With Medications

You might be asking your healthcare provider this question if you have been feeling low and your friends and family have mentioned this to you. Your provider might have mentioned medication if your mood interferes with work, family or socializing for more than two weeks. Some people with depression might even have legal troubles linked to outbursts.

Stone Age Diet For The Treatment Of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

  • Meat choose from chicken, beef, lamb, pork, turkey, duck, venison, pheasant, goose, bacon and ham, salami, liver, kidney and offal are fine too.
  • Eggs an excellent source of lecithin
  • Fish fresh or smoked salmon, mackerel, cod, haddock, shrimps, prawns, mussels, or tinned fish in brine or olive oil
  • Any green vegetables
  • All salads avocado, lettuce, tomato, cucumber, celery, peppers, onion, cress, bamboo shoots, mushrooms
  • French dressing from olive oil, lemon juice, coconut, garlic, mustard
  • Cold pressed nut and seed oils liberally, such as sunflower, coconut, olive, sesame, grape seed, hemp, linseed
  • Spices and herbs chilli, cumin, ginger, coriander, pepper, cloves, vanilla pods , sea salt

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Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Is An Organic Dysfunctional Syndrome

CFS is an organic dysfunctional syndrome that involves disturbance of the neurohumoral control mechanisms and, despite its ill-defined nature and the lack of a unifying pathogenic mechanism, is not a psychological or psychiatric illness.

Patients with CFS are an inhomogenous group with much overlap of symptoms of other disorders, in particular fibromyalgia and multiple chemical sensitivity. All display substantial fatigue problems, differing only in the degree of symptom predominance. Myalgia and painful myofascial trigger points predominate in fibromyalgia, while neurocognitive disability and chemical sensitivity reactions predominate in multiple chemical sensitivity.

However, there are differences between these illnesses. Fibromyalgia patients usually have elevated levels of substance P in the spinal fluid, with impaired serotonin metabolism and reduced pain thresholds, but CFS patients usually do not. Fibromyalgia patients experience fatigue secondary to pain-related chronic sleep disruption, whilst in CFS patients, fatigue is due to primary neuronal dysfunction. In the clinical setting careful, individual patient assessment is necessary for a correct diagnosis and treatment, in order to achieve optimal patients outcomes.

What May Have Caused My Specific Case Of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Persistent Fatigue

If I wanted, I couldve easily been diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome, but knew that most of the medications used to treat the condition, I had already tried . I didnt see a point in having another diagnostic label tacked on what was already: major depression, severe anxiety, and premorbid schizophrenia . Below are some hindsight speculations as to what may have contributed to my antidepressant-induced chronic fatigue.

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Neurophysiological Abnormalities Associated With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Neurophysiological abnormalities occur more frequently in CFS patients than in other control groups, and often includes:

  • Autonomic nervous system dysfunction with resultant dysregulation of circulatory control and vascular tone
  • Neuroendocrine disorder, particularly reduced activity of the Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal pathway, but also involving depressed anabolic hormone production
  • Impaired central nervous system function as demonstrated by reduced cerebral perfusion on SPECT and PET scanning, particularly evident during cognitive task performance, and
  • Patchy neuronal damage as demonstrated by diffuse abnormalities on MRI scans.

Side Effects Of Antidepressant Medications

All medications can have side-effects. Some people experience no side-effects. Others may find the side-effects distressing. In most cases, side-effects lessen as treatment continues.

Treatment is usually started at a low dose, to minimize side-effects, and then slowly increased until the ideal dose is found. The ideal dose is one that provides the greatest benefit with minimum side-effects.

If you are experiencing side effects, check the information given to you by your doctor or pharmacist on the specific effects of any drug you have been prescribed. If side-effects are not mild and tolerable, it is best to continue taking your medication as prescribed but let your doctor know as soon as possible. Your doctor may:

  • encourage you to wait a little longer for the side-effects to fade
  • adjust your dose
  • suggest you take the medication at a different time of day
  • prescribe other medications to help control side-effects
  • change your medication
  • stop medication treatment and suggest a different type of treatment approach.

Side-effects vary depending on the type of medication. More information on side-effects is included for each type of types of antidepressant.

You can help to control possible side-effects on your own by:

Do antidepressants increase the risk of suicide?

Before starting treatment, prepare for the possibility of feeling worse before you feel better. Know what supports are available to you and who you can call.

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Stopping And Changing Antidepressants

Be sure not to stop taking your antidepressant without discussing with your healthcare provider. Abruptly discontinuing your antidepressant can make your symptoms of depression reappear or become worse. Additionally, you may experience other symptoms like headaches, pain, or insomnia and other flu-like symptoms. It is very important to continue to take your antidepressant as prescribed until advised to stop taking it by your healthcare provider.

If you are experiencing annoying side effects with one medication, your health care provider can recommend other medications that may be better tolerated. Additionally, if you are finishing your medication therapy for depression because you are in recovery, your healthcare will most likely taper your medication slowly, for instance you might take your medication every other day for a while to avoid the symptoms mentioned above that occur after abrupt withdrawal. Keep your health care provider in the loop about your symptoms, so they can help you manage your health even better.

When To See A Doctor

Alternative Treatments for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

If your depression symptoms return for more than a few days, itâs time to see your doctor. But even if you feel like your antidepressant isnât working, itâs important to keep taking it until your doctor advises otherwise. You may need a dosage increase or a slow tapering off process. With many antidepressant medications, stopping their use too quickly can cause withdrawal effects such as:

  • Greater anxiety
  • Suicidal thoughts

Early warning signs of breakthrough depression are the symptoms you typically experience when an episode of depression is coming on, says Nestadt. Depression symptoms vary from person to person, but signs include:

  • Changes in sleep or appetite
  • Loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities

If your symptoms return, donât worry adjusting the dose or switching to another antidepressant often solves the problem.

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What To Expect At Your Provider’s Office

There is no laboratory test for chronic fatigue syndrome. But your health care provider may use tests to rule out other illnesses. Your provider will go over your symptoms, check your medical history, and do a physical examination.

If you have CFS, your provider may prescribe drugs to treat your symptoms, or suggest herbs, vitamins, or dietary changes to help you. Get plenty of rest, exercise regularly, and learn to pace yourself. Often this combination of treatments will help you get better.

If the usual treatments do not work, your provider may check for other conditions that can cause symptoms similar to those of CFS.

Mild Pain Relievers And Nsaids

CFS/ME patients may benefit from NSAIDs, which are commonly used to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. In this context, the NSAIDs include ibuprofen and naproxen. They sometimes relieve frequent or severe joint and muscle pain, headaches, and fevers .

Other prescription medicines include anticonvulsants, also called antiseizure medicines. These drugs are sometimes prescribed for pain and sleep problems. They seem to work best when used for nerve pain. Antidepressant medicine is also prescribed to ease depression and anxiety, to enhance the ability to concentrate and to improve sleep quality . For their part, narcotic medicines are sometimes prescribed for pain that is not relieved by overthecounter drugs. Narcotics are generally reserved for the most severe cases because of the risk of addiction, and are used only for a short time .

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Quick Brain Fog Fix: Natural Treatments & Remedies

Often, quick treatment for brain fog and mental fatigue is required when youre at work, at school, or just trying to be a more productive human. Lifestyle changes are always the best long-term route to maintain a clear mind. These changes include getting more restful natural sleep, eating healthier, and following a regular exercise routine.

With that said, sometimes life gets in the way. When youre always on the go, its common to grab fast food and a sugary drink in a pinch. Mix that with staying up too late the night before, and you have a recipe for cognitive disaster. Time constraints are the reason treating brain fog with herbal supplements is a convenient and efficient natural remedy for most people. Next time you need a quick cure for brain fog, give one of these supplements a try.

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What Did This Study Do

New research into chronic fatigue syndrome

This systematic review and network meta-analysis compared 21 antidepressants with placebo or each other, directly within trials and indirectly across trials. They included 522 double-blind randomised controlled trials of 116,477 adults with moderate to severe depression.

More than 100 trials were previously unpublished. As well as publication databases, international trial registers and drug approval websites, the researchers had contacted all pharmaceutical companies marketing antidepressants to ask for unpublished studies.

The antidepressants were compared for effectiveness and acceptability . They found 380 trials at possible risk of bias due mainly to lack of reporting of randomisation methods, and 46 at high risk. However, the trials were all placebo controlled.

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Why A Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Diagnosis Stemming From Antidepressants Can Be Problematic

Assuming the antidepressant you were taking was the root cause of your chronic fatigue, there are some problems with getting formally diagnosed. In most cases a formal diagnosis is viewed as requiring lifelong treatment medical professionals will always view you as suffering from a chronic condition on top of your depression.

The professionals often fail to realize that the antidepressant medications were the root cause of the newly developed fatigue, but instead they assume its just another new development. Though the fatigue is real, we know it stemmed from the antidepressant. Its almost comparable to getting misdiagnosed with Bipolar 2 disorder after going through an array of psychotropics its a temporary phase resulting from using medications.

Herbal Remedies For Depression And Anxiety

Herbal remedies have been used to treat depression and anxiety for centuries around the globe. Western societies, in particular, have moved away from traditional herbal treatments towards prescription medications. There are some proven herbal options that may be worth a try.

One in four women in the United States now takes a psychiatric medication.

According to a report from the National Center for Health Statistics , the rate of antidepressant use in this country among teens and adults increased by almost 400% between 19881994 and 20052008.

The federal governments health statisticians figure that about one in every 10 Americans takes an antidepressant. And by their reckoning, antidepressants were the third most common prescription medication taken by Americans in 20052008, the latest period during which the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey collected data on prescription drug use.

Here are a few other stand-out statistics from the report on antidepressants:

So is it a good thing that so many more Americans are taking antidepressants? Many mental health professionals would say, yes, because depression has been undertreated and because antidepressants are effective.

But there are also plenty of critics, as shown by this review in the New York Review of Books, who say the benefits have been overstated and that pharmaceutical company marketing is responsible for the surge in prescriptions.

2. SAM-e

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The Severity Of Side Effects

During a consultation with your doctor, you will be asked whether you experienced any side effects while using antidepressants in the past.

A doctor also strives to select one with the fewest side effects if you take any other medicine with side effects that you cant stand. You may have to try a few before finding the right one.

Coenzyme Q10 Plus Nadh And Mitochondrial Dysfunction

Antidepressant Discontinuation Syndrome

Coenzyme Q10 and NADH are common antioxidant supplements that have been used for several decades as dietary supplements for general maintenanceof health. The benefits of their administration have been extensively evaluated in several conditions . However, several studies have shown that there is a mitochondrial dysfunction, which reduces the ATP production, as an immediate effect primary or secondary to symptoms in most CFS/ME patients .

In the UK, Myhill et al. highlighted the power and usefulness of the ATP profile test as a diagnostic tool for differentiating between patients who have CFS/ME and other symptoms as a result of energy wastage due to stress and psychological factors and those who have insufficient energy due to cellular respiration dysfunction. The biochemical tests should be performed in CFS/ME patients before and after appropriate interventions, and possibly in other disabling fatigue conditions as well .

Relatively few pharmacological or other therapies for CFS/ME have been tested in large RCTs. Overall, a report commissioned by the AHRQ based on a systematic review for a US NIH Pathways to Prevention Workshop concluded that no available pharmacotherapy is of proven benefit in CFS/ME. Table 1 summarizes the current drug therapeutic strategies for CFS/ME.

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The Best Antidepressants For Irritability

Antidepressant medications are prescribed for irritability when a chemical imbalance is suspected as being the etiology of the unwanted mood disturbance. Many medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that are intended for the treatment of depressive disorder have positive effects on anxiety levels as well. Irritability is often seen as a secondary symptom of a condition presenting on the anxiety spectrum. For this reason, certain antidepressants tend to be on the front line of treatment across many psychiatric practices.

If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.

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