Because there is a strong link between depression and COPD exacerbation, depression medication can be a true lifeline for the COPD patient. According to Chest, the prevalence of anxiety and depression in COPD patients is generally higher than those reported in other chronic illnesses. Left untreated, anxiety and depression can cause an increase in physical disability and a worsening of overall health.
The following lists several classes of depression medication which have also been successful in treating some anxiety disorders:
1. Trycyclics
Tbe oldest class of antidepressant drugs, tricyclics work by blocking the reuptake of two important chemical messengers -- serotonin and norepinephrine. These neurotransmitters are involved in the regulation of mood.2. Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs)
Two of the neurotransmitters in the brain that are responsible for mood regulation, norepinephrine and serotonin, are in the chemical class monoamines. Monoamine oxidase is an enzyme that breaks down these substances, causing them to be depleted in the brain. Low levels of these neurotransmitters are known to cause depression. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), the second oldest class of antidepressants, work by inhibiting the enzyme monoamine oxidase to allow for more norepinephrine and serotonin to remain available in the brain.3. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a newer class of antidepressants that work by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin in the brain, subsequently causing a greater amount to be available for the brain to use. Low levels of serotonin have been linked to anxiety and depression.4. Newer Antidepressants
A few newer antidepressants don't fall into any of the above categories:For more information about depression, visit About.com's Guide to Depression.
Source:
Chest. Anxiety and Depression in COPD. CHEST October 2008 vol. 134 no. 4 suppl 43S-56S.
