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Medications to Treat Anxiety

Therapy is the most effective treatment for anxiety, sometimes an infrequent course of medication is necessary. Antidepressants and tranquilizers are two of the medications that can be utilized to treat anxiety.

SSRI antidepressants like citalopram, sertraline, and escitalopram can reduce anxiety. SNRIs, which are aimed at the chemicals norepinephrine and serotonin, can also be effective.

SSRIs

SSRIs are the first line of treatment doctors prescribe to treat anxiety disorders. They stop nerve cells from re-absorption of serotonin in the brain, a chemical which is important for mood regulation. The drugs take a while to work, but most people are better after 4 to 6 weeks. SSRIs do not develop a habit and aren't addictive, which is why they can continue to be used for a long time.

Another type of antidepressant, SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), also treats depression and anxiety. Examples of SNRIs include citalopram (Celexa), Escitalopram (Lexapro) as well as the fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil) and sertraline (Zoloft). Tricyclic antidepressants such as imipramine (Tofranil) and doxepine (Anxiety Disorder Stimulant) also treat depression and anxiety. Mirtazapine, an antidepressant that is novel is often used to treat anxiety disorders.

Doctors don't know how SNRIs or SSRIs work, but they know that they increase the activity of certain chemical messengers called neurotransmitters within the brain. They prevent the brain from absorbing chemicals and allow these substances to bind to receptors.

SSRIs are used to treat generalized anxiety disorder, GAD; obsessive-compulsive disorder, OCD; panic disorder/agoraphobia; and posttraumatic stress disorder, PTSD. They can also be helpful for bulimia, though it is not as common.

People suffering from anxiety who do not respond to SSRIs might be prescribed an atypical antipsychotic medication. Examples include quetiapine (Abilify), and aripiprazole (Risperdal). These medications ease anxiety for people suffering from obsessive compulsive disorders. They are typically prescribed together with an antidepressant. They also have a lower risk of serious adverse reactions than other forms of antipsychotics.

Beta-blockers are also prescribed to treat anxiety, and heart issues. Examples are propranolol (Inderal) and atenolol (Tenormin). They can ease physical symptoms of anxiety in people suffering from social anxiety disorders. They can also assist in reducing anxiety before or following surgery and also for some chronic pain conditions. The benzodiazepines, such as lorazepam (Ativan) can be used to manage symptoms when other medications aren't working. Benzodiazepines can be addictive and habit-forming.

SNRIs

SNRIs are another type of antidepressant medications that are often prescribed to treat anxiety. They function similarly as SSRIs but they also increase the availability norepinephrine, and serotonin. This means that they are usually more effective in treating certain types of anxiety disorders, including social anxiety disorder and panic disorder. These medications work best when used in conjunction with other treatments and talk therapy.

Contrary to benzodiazepines, SNRIs aren't a dependence or addiction for most people. However, some patients may be prone to withdrawal after stopping the medication after a long period of use. It is essential to speak with your physician prior to stopping any medication.

Serotonin and norepinephrine are neurotransmitters responsible for stress and mood responses. They play a key part in the fight or flight response that a lot of sufferers of anxiety feel. I Am Psychiatry from rapidly soaking up these neurotransmitters, by preventing the process of reuptake. They help keep these chemicals in the body for longer, and can improve mood, reduce anxiety, and even help with panic attacks.

Norepinephrine is also essential in anxiety due to its ability to activate the amygdala, which is a deep and primal part of the brain that is associated with fear-related behaviour. SNRIs can reduce activity in this part of the brain. This can boost mood, anxiety and reduce panic attacks.

Although these drugs are extremely beneficial however, it is important to keep in mind that they carry a risk of increased suicidal ideas in certain individuals. Due to this, they're usually prescribed in higher doses and for a shorter time. These medications may also interact with other medications and substances. If you are on any other prescription or non-prescription medications, be sure to discuss this with your doctor and keep them up-to-date on any medical conditions that you may have, especially heart problems and bleeding disorders. Be aware that some patients report adverse reactions to SNRIs like nausea and a dry mouth.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines -- or benzos, as they're often called -- are quick-acting medications that can help ease anxiety and anxiety-related symptoms such as muscle tension and insomnia. Some people with anxiety disorders, such as panic disorder or social anxiety might find them beneficial particularly if they have not responded to other treatments, such as SSRIs and psychotherapy. They can be employed as a temporary remedy until you can wait for your antidepressant medication begin to work. Benzos include diazepam, temazepam, and flurazepam.

Because they're fast-acting, they usually begin to work within 30 minutes. These meds don't stay in the body very long, therefore they should be taken on a regular basis to reap the maximum benefits. Using benzos for long durations of time can cause addiction and physical dependence, so they should only be used for the shortest time possible. Benzos should not be used by those suffering from anxiety or depression as they may increase the risk.

People who use benzos for long periods of period of time, usually without medical supervision, may develop a condition called sedative-use disorders, which can include addiction and withdrawal symptoms. This problem is rare in people who use benzos as prescribed. Benzo abuse is typically a result of other factors like alcohol abuse or depression.

The tolerance to benzodiazepines may develop if they are taken for a long period of time. As you get used to them, it takes more and more of the medication to have the same effect. In some cases it can result in respiratory depression, coma or death. Even if you are taking benzodiazepines for a long period of time, it is essential to follow the prescribed dosage.

Other Medicines

SSRIs and SNRIs are among the first drugs doctors will usually prescribe to treat anxiety. They affect serotonin which affects the mood, sleep, appetite and appetite. They may take a long time to show results, up to 12 weeks, and may cause some adverse effects such as insomnia or nausea. SSRIs can also be used to treat mental disorders, such as depression, panic disorder, and obsessive compulsive disorder. In contrast to benzodiazepines they don't cause physical dependence, but they can cause withdrawal symptoms if abruptly stopped.

Sertraline (Zoloft), Prozac (Prozac), and Celexa (Citalopram) are the three medications that fall under this class. They can be used on their own or in combination with therapy. Antidepressants may be prescribed by a psychologist, psychiatrist or family physician with specialized training in the field of medication management.

Doctors can prescribe a specific class of antidepressants referred to as monoamine oxidase inhibitors or MAOIs. They block the actions of enzymes that break chemical down, such as serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. MAOIs can take as long as four weeks to start working, but they are not as quick-acting as SSRIs.

Clonidine is another medication that can be used to control anxiety. It is often used to treat anxiety, but is also used to control blood pressure. Its effectiveness is limited by side effects such as hypotension and sedation. Doctors may prescribe antihistamines, such as hydroxyzine to reduce symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks. Some patients might also experience a decrease in the effectiveness of benzodiazepines.

Anxiety is typically treated by the combination of medication, psychotherapy and exercise. The most effective approach is working with an expert therapist who is skilled in treating anxiety disorders. They can help you work through the root causes of your anxiety and suggest strategies to manage it without medication, in the event that it is necessary. Other treatment options for anxiety that do not require medication include eye movement desensitization, mindfulness meditation, reprocessing, and yoga based on trauma. Talk with your therapist about what options are best for you. Psychiatrists are trained to analyze your symptoms and medical history and formulate a treatment plan that is suited to you. They will consider your individual diagnosis, lifestyle, medical history and preferences when developing this plan, and will make changes to it as they go along.