Symptoms And Causes Of Depression
Symptoms of depression can be very different from person to person. However, as a general rule, if you are depressed you feel hopeless, sad and lacking interest in things that used to make you feel happy.
Depression symptoms are bad enough to interfere with work, social life and family life, and can persist for weeks or months.
Doctors describe depression in one of three ways, depending on how serious it is:
- mild depression it has some impact on daily life
- moderate depression it has a significant impact on your daily life
- severe depression this makes it nearly impossible to get through your life day to day
A few people with severe depression may have symptoms of psychotic depression.
Below is a list of depression symptoms its unlikely that one person would have all of them.
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Drug Profile: What Is A Depressant And What Does It Do
Depressants, also called central nervous system depressants, are a type of prescription medication used for treating anxiety, acute stress reactions, or panic disorders. They work to slow down the brains activity and include sedatives, hypnotics and tranquilizers. Heres a closer look at what depressants are and how they work.
Depressants have long been a drug of choice for celebrities. Judy Garland, the 1950s film star, used barbiturates to unwind after work and died of an overdose in 1969. Elvis also famously used these drugs. More recently, Heath Ledger used these drugs as a way to control anxiety and stress. He, too, died as a result.
Sedatives like these are used by 500,000 people or more in the United States, according to a report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Understanding their impact is critical to learning about your own addiction.
What Are The Side Effects Of Alcohol And Other Depressants
When used as directed, or in limited quantities, alcohol and other depressants can provide feelings of relaxation and reduce the symptoms of anxiety. Alcohol and other depressants do lead to intoxication.
Common side effects of alcohol and other depressants include the following:
- Impaired motor skills and coordination
- Mental cloudiness and confusion
- Slowed or stopped heart rate
- Slowed or depressed breathing
- Emotional instability and severe mood swings
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Notes Comments And Feedback
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Treatment For Cns Depressants Addiction
Treatment for CNS depressants addiction begins with medical detox to rid the body of depressants and other drugs. After detox, members generally go to inpatient treatment. But, some choose outpatient treatment.
Addiction typically co-occurs with other mental health disorders such as depression. However, the treatment allows individuals struggling with substance use disorder to address all the issues with certified professionals. Even though inpatient and outpatient treatment offers the same therapy options, inpatient depressants addiction treatment is a more intense approach.
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What Do They Mean When They Call Alcohol A Depressant
- Date Published:
- alcohol addiction treatment, alcohol treatment facilities, alcoholism treatment program, outpatient treatment
Alcohol is the most widely used and consumed drug in the entire world. Alcohol is all around us, and many times our society conditions us to view alcohol as a fun party boosting activity. Unfortunately, alcohol consumption can become excessive and eventually lead people down a dark path.
With alcohol being considered a drug, it is often referred to as a depressant. But what does that mean exactly? At Go Sober, we understand the negative impact that alcohol can have on your life. If you or someone you know is struggling with excessive alcohol consumption, were here for you. Weve spent years working with top neuroscientists, medical professionals, mental health experts, and addiction specialists to create an alcohol treatment program with an extremely high success rate. Our goal is simple: to help you go sober forever.
Alcohol is classified as a depressant. This means that it slows down the vital functions which can result in slurred speech, unsteady movement, disturbed perceptions, and an inability to react quickly. Depressant drugs also affect the mind and can be best understood as a drug that reduces a persons ability to think rationally. Depressants are also known as downers and can have intense short-term and long-term effects.
Short Term Effects
Some of the short term effects can be seen as:
- Slowed brain function
- Sexual problems
How Can A Cns Depressant Overdose Be Treated
The most important step to take is to call 911 so a person who has overdosed can receive immediate medical attention. Flumazenil is a medication that medical personnel can use to treat benzodiazepine overdose and has also been shown effective in treating overdose from sleep medicines. The drug might not completely reverse slowed breathing and can lead to seizures in some patients who are taking certain antidepressants. Flumazenil is short acting, and the patient may need more of it every 20 minutes until he or she recovers. For barbiturates and nonbenzodiazepines, body temperature, pulse, breathing, and blood pressure should be monitored while waiting for the drug to be eliminated.
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Sleeping Pills: A Prescription Sedative
These CNS depressant drugs include non-benzodiazepine sleep aids or z-drugs, such as:
Z-drugs are a prescription sedative that specifically treats insomnia and other sleep disorders. These sleeping pills are chemically different than other CNS depressant drugs. For example, they stimulate GABA neurotransmitters differently.
Unlike benzos, z-drugs dont reduce anxiety. However, they have fewer side effects and a lower risk of addiction. But, long-term use can lead to dependence and addiction.
What Can I Do If I Have Depression
If you have symptoms of depression, see your healthcare provider. They can give you an accurate diagnosis, refer you to a specialist or suggest treatment options.
If you or someone you know is thinking of hurting themselves or taking their own life:
- Go to the emergency department of your hospital.
- Contact a healthcare provider.
- Speak to a trusted friend, family member or spiritual leader.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Depression is a common condition that affects millions of Americans every year. Anyone can experience depression even if there doesnt seem to be a reason for it. Causes of depression include difficulties in life, brain chemistry abnormalities, some medications and physical conditions. The good news is that depression is treatable. If you have symptoms of depression, talk to your healthcare provider. The sooner you get help, the sooner you can feel better
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 12/31/2020.
References
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What Are The Dangers Of Alcohol And Other Depressants
While intoxicated, alcohol can lead to a number of damaging consequences. It causes people to lose their inhibitions, which can result in greater risk-taking and poor decision-making that a person would never make sober.
While intoxicated, people are also vulnerable to unintentional accidents and injuries.
Lack of physical and mental coordination due to alcohol intoxication can cause bodily harm to the person drinking and also people nearby.
Other implications of alcohol and other depressants are overdose and death. Alcohol overdose causes alcohol poisoning, and the results can be deadly. Because alcohol impairs ones emotions and awareness, people under the influence are known to get into fights and arguments. They may say things they do not mean, and will regret them the next day. Alcohol abuse can destroy families, marriages, friendships, and careers.
Side Effects Of The Use Of Depressant Drug Use
When people engage in the use of depressants over a long period of time or even in the short term, it creates multiple side effects some of which could be life threatening. One concern with the use of depressants is that over time the individual can develop a tolerance to them which can cause individuals to become more dependent on them and cause concerns when trying to stop the use.
Becoming addicted to these drugs can be difficult to overcome and when the individual is taking too much at once, or using depressants with alcohol or other drugs, this can slow their heart and breathing enough to cause death. Someone who is dependent on depressants can also have dangerous withdrawal symptoms when trying to quit. Depending on the type of depressant the individual is taking, the withdrawal can be life threatening, this is considered higher in an individual who is engaging in barbiturates more than benzodiazepines. However, barbiturates and benzodiazepines, both can cause symptoms that are more serious than some other types of drugs. Including seizures, tremors, psychosis, nausea, and insomnia to name a few.
Other side effects of depressant use includes
- impaired sexual function
- depression and other mental health issues
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Fhe Health Offers Treatment For Depressant Addiction
For men and women using depressants for any reason, it is critical to seek out substance use disorder care from a trusted and experienced location. Dont try to stop on your own. Instead, work with a fully skilled location for all medical and mental health needs. At FHE Health, we provide a safe place for detoxing and both short-term and long-term care. Contact us to learn more about our services.
What Illnesses Happen With Depression
Itâs common for people to have other medical or mental health problems along with depression, such as anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorder, phobias, substance use disorders, and eating disorders. If you or a loved one has symptoms of depression or another mental illness, talk to your doctor. Treatments can help.
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Therapies For Cns Depressants Addiction
Treatment centers such as Sana Lake Recovery Center tailor treatment plans to the individual needs of the member. Additionally, multiple therapies in treatment help members replace negative behaviors with healthier ones. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is particularly helpful in CNS depressants addiction.
CBT focuses on changing a members thinking, expectations, and behaviors. At the same time, members increase coping skills for various stressors. However, CNS depressant drugs are often misused alongside other medications. So, treatment plans also address polydrug misuse to increase lifelong recovery.
What Are Antidepressants
Antidepressants are a range of medications used in the treatment of depression and other mental health conditions, and are some of the most commonly prescribed medications around. They include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors , serotoninnorepinephrine reuptake inhibitors , atypical antidepressants, tricyclic antidepressants , and monoamine oxidase inhibitors .
Antidepressant medications are designed to change chemicals in the brain that affect mood and emotions. When youre suffering from the pain and anguish of depression, that can sound like a simple and convenient method of relief. Of course, its important to remember thatdespite what you may have hearddepression isnt simply caused by the balance of chemicals in the brain. Rather, its caused by a complex combination of biological, psychological, and social factors, including lifestyle, relationships, and coping skills that medication cant address.
Many people with mild to moderate depression find that therapy, exercise, and self-help strategies work just as well or even better than medicationminus the side effects. Even if you decide to take medication, its a good idea to also pursue therapy and lifestyle changes that can help you to address the underlying issues and beat depression for good.
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Risk Factors For Drug
The effects of a drug, and how long they last, depend on a number of factors:
- the type and strength of drugs that you use
- how the drug was made — substances manufactured in home labs may contain bacteria, dangerous chemicals and other unsafe substances, and have an unknown strength. Even one dose may cause an overdose that leads to brain damage or death
- your physical characteristics
- the dose that you take
- how often and for how long you have been using drugs
- how you ingest the drug . Compared with swallowing a drug, inhalation and injection are more likely to lead to overdose and dependence. If you are injecting drugs, sharing injecting equipment will increase your risk of contracting serious diseases such as hepatitis and HIV. It will also increase your risk of serious infection
- your mental health, mood and environment can affect the experience you have when taking drugs. If you have a mental health condition, drugs may exacerbate or complicate the symptoms of that condition
- whether you mix drugs, including alcohol. In particular, alcohol use may lead to high risk behaviour which can result in the serious injury or death of yourself or others.
What Is A Depressant
Depressant drugs include sedatives, tranquilizers, and hypnotics.
They used to go by the name central nervous system depressants, which pretty neatly describes what they do. They dont make you depressed they calm down activity in your CNS.
For this reason, doctors often prescribe sedatives to treat insomnia and other sleep disorders, while hypnotics can induce sleep. Tranquilizers are more often used to treat anxiety, panic attacks, and acute stress, or relieve muscle spasms.
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Exactly What Are Depressants
Technically, a depressant is any substance that depresses the CNS, or central nervous system of the body. In fact, some depressants are designed specifically to treat conditions like anxiety or insomnia. However, other depressants are used recreationally.
One thing that virtually all depressants have in common is their ability to become addictive. While depressants are widely used in America and around the world, responsibility is needed. Moreover, in the cases of prescription-strength depressants, we recommend medical supervision.
Do Depressants Make You Feel Depressed
Mostly due to the name, many people believe depressants cause people to feel depressed. While depressants depress the central nervous system, they do not make a person become sad while under the influence.
Depressants can initially make a person feel quite pleasant alcohol relaxes its users and puts them at ease. However, depressants are rarely used in limited form. When alcohol is misused, the consequences add up and can become emotionally depressing and even life-threatening. Alcohol is extremely addictive, and when abused long-term, the drug can eventually lead to symptoms of depression.
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What Does A Depressant Drug Do To The Brain And Nervous System
Central nervous system depressants are drugs that slow down brain activity, making them effective for treating many conditions. These drugs operate by affecting the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid , which leads to side effects such as drowsiness, relaxation, and decreased inhibition.
How do depressants affect dopamine?
Alters the effects of the neurotransmitters glutamate and GABA. Probably increases activity in the dopamine system involved in motivation and learning. Develops due to increased processing in the liver and changes to receptors in the brain.
Do depressants have a quieting effect on the brain?
Because GABA has a quieting effect on the brain, GABA agonists also have a quieting effect these types of drugs are often prescribed to treat both anxiety and insomnia.
So Is Alcohol Really A Depressant
Alcohol is a fickle mistress. When you start drinking, booze acts like a stimulant, making you excited and energetic. But when the high starts to wear off the buzz can quickly give way to fatigue, confusion and depression more like the effects of a depressant drug.
Its later in the evening that people usually get that drunken negative vibe, says Dr. John Mendelson, chief medical officer at Ria Health. Some people may not get the positive rush at all they just go right into the negative.
While alcohol is considered a depressant, its unique in the sense that it gives the consumer a momentary boost of stimulation when consumption first occurs, says Sean Duane, an addiction treatment expert at Ambrosia Treatment Center in West Palm Beach, Florida.
This is that euphoric sense thats often associated with drug and alcohol use, however, after that temporary jolt of enjoyment, most of us feel some sort of slow slide into regret or depressing tendencies.
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Questions To Ask Yourself And Your Doctor
- Is my depression adversely affecting my life enough to require drug treatment?
- Is medication the best option for treating my depression?
- Am I willing to tolerate unwanted side effects?
- What non-drug treatments might help my depression?
- Do I have the time and motivation to pursue other treatments such as therapy and self-help?
- What self-help strategies might reduce my depression?
- If I decide to take medication, should I pursue therapy and alternative treatments as well?
How Depressants Affect Your Body
Depressants are drugs that inhibit the function of the central nervous system and are among the most widely used drugs in the world. These drugs operate by affecting neurons in the CNS, which leads to symptoms such as drowsiness, relaxation, decreased inhibition, anesthesia, sleep, coma, and even death. Many depressant medications also have the potential to be addictive.
While CNS depressants all share an ability to reduce activity in the central nervous system and lower levels of awareness in the brain, there are significant differences among substances within this drug class. Some are safer than others and several are routinely prescribed for medicinal purposes.
This article discusses the different types of depressants and how they are used. It also explores how these medications work, when they should be taken, and potential risks.
Drugs that are classed as depressants include:
- Benzodiazepines
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