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Depression and anxiety

Student name

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What diagnosis do you believe may apply to this individual?

Major depression is the diagnosis that may apply to this individual. Major depression is

associated with symptoms consistent with those shown by the patient. The patient is troubled by

headaches and fatigue. She reports having problems sleeping and frequent headaches. Major

depression is associated with a lack of interest in usual activities, as in the patient's case.

Additionally, the patient reports frequent crying spells, loss of appetite, and weight loss. These

symptoms show the patient will likely suffer from a major depressive disorder.

What classifications of medications can be used to treat this disorder? Which drug do you

recommend and why?

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a significant classification of

medication used to manage depression. Drugs in this category are fluoxetine (Prozac),

citalopram, paroxetine (Paxil), and escitalopram (Lexapro).other classifications are

Serotonin/Norepinephrine Reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), serotonin modulators, antidepressants,

and Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs).

While antidepressants may be the drug of choice for depression, they are not approved by the

FDA for the treatment of depression. However, they are approved by FDA for treatments of

other medical disorders. For example, antidepressants are approved and recommended for treat \

ing obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, social phobia, and general anxiety disorder.

Antidepressants are also supported and recommended for managing Post-traumatic stress

disorder (PTSD). According to Zachari et al. (2023), "Antidepressants also have non-FDA-

approved, off-label indications’.

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I would recommend using SSRIs instead of antidepressants because SSRIs are relatively safer

and have fewer side effects on the patient. SSRIs are prescribed as the first-line choice of

medicine for depression because of the few side effects associated with the medication. I would

recommend SSRI medication due to its nature of causing minimum side effects. Tricyclic

antidepressants are also recommended to treat moderate to severe depression.

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Reference

Zachary M., Shefler, Patel P., Abdijadid S., (20203, May 26). Antidepressants. Retrieved June

5, 2023, from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538182