Depression : Depression is a state of low mood and aversion to activity that can affect a person's thoughts, behavior, feelings and sense of well-being In general the type of treatment includepsychotherapy and/or antidepressants, alternative therapies, or active intervention. The most important classes of antidepressants are the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Other drugs used or proposed for the treatment of depression include buprenorphine,tryptophan,low-dose antipsychotics,and St John's wort.


Anxiety Disorder : DEFINITION Anxiety can be described as an uncomfortable feeling of vague fear or apprehension accompanied by characteristic physical sensations. It is a normal and often beneficial response to situations that humans perceive as threatening, frightful, or otherwise disturbing. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY A neurocircuit arising from the output pathways of the central nucleus of the amygdala is thought to mediate fear and anxiety responses in humans.Dysregulated or exaggerated output through various amygdala-related circuits may be a common element underlying the different anxiety disorders, but the specific type of dysfunction probably differs among the various disorders. Several neurotransmitter systems have been linked to the neurobiology of anxiety: the inhibitory amino acid, ?-aminobutyric acid (GABA); the monoamine neurotransmitters, serotonin and norepinephrine; the excitatory amino acid, glutamate; and the neuropeptides, cholecystokinin (CCK), corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF), neuropeptide Y (NPY), and substance P.2,3 Much of the evidence for these biologic processes has come from research on drugs that are used either to treat anxiety or to induce anxiety. Discovery of the anxiolytic effects of benzodiazepines in the early 1960s marked the beginning of this era of research. However, the anxiety-reducing properties of alcohol and barbiturates were recognized long before that time.


Social Anxiety Disorder (social phobia) : Social anxiety disorder, also called social phobia, is an anxiety disorder in which a person has an excessive and unreasonable fear of social situations. Anxiety (intense nervousness) and self-consciousness arise from a fear of being closely watched, judged, and criticized by others. A person with social anxiety disorder is afraid that he or she will make mistakes, look bad, and be embarrassed or humiliated in front of others. The fear may be made worse by a lack of social skills or experience in social situations. The anxiety can build into a panic attack. As a result of the fear, the person endures certain social situations in extreme distress or may avoid them altogether. In addition, people with social anxiety disorder often suffer "anticipatory" anxiety -- the fear of a situation before it even happens -- for days or weeks before the event. In many cases, the person is aware that the fear is unreasonable, yet is unable to overcome it. People with social anxiety disorder suffer from distorted thinking, including false beliefs about social situations and the negative opinions of others. Without treatment, social anxiety disorder can negatively interfere with the person's normal daily routine, including school, work, social activities, and relationships. People with social anxiety disorder may be afraid of a specific situation, such as speaking in public. However, most people with social anxiety disorder fear more than one social situation. Other situations that commonly provoke anxiety include: • Eating or drinking in front of others. • Writing or working in front of others. • Being the center of attention. • Interacting with people, including dating or going to parties. • Asking questions or giving reports in groups. • Using public toilets. • Talking on the telephone. Medication Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a class of antidepressants, are first choice medication for generalized social phobia but a second line treatment. Compared to older forms of medication, there is less risk of tolerability and drug dependency associated with SSRIs. Benzodiazepines such as clonazepam are an alternative to SSRIs. The novel antidepressant mirtazapine has been studied for the treatment of social anxiety disorder, and rendered mixed results. Another atypical antidepressant,bupropion, has shown success in an open trial.