Barnettlorenzen5317

Meds That Treat Anxiety

Anxiety is among the most prevalent mental health problems which affects more than 40 million people in the United States. A variety of medications are available to treat it.

SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), like Zoloft, Prozac, Lexapro and Effexor, work to alleviate anxiety by raising levels of the chemical serotonin in the brain. In contrast to benzodiazepines, they're addictive.

SSRIs

The most common anxiety medication is selective serotonin reuptake inhibits (SSRIs), including citalopram, escitalopram, and fluoxetine. These medications are also used to treat depression as well as relieve symptoms of other anxiety disorders, such as obsessive compulsive disorder. It can take up one month before they begin working.

These drugs increase the amount of certain chemical messengers in the brain, including serotonin and norepinephrine. These drugs are usually the first choice to treat anxiety, though doctors may also prescribe other types of antidepressants or benzodiazepines.

Another class of antidepressants known as serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) such as duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor), are also used to treat anxiety. They operate a bit differently than SSRIs, as they also reduce the reabsorption of norepinephrine and serotonin, but at lower levels than SSRIs. They may take a few days to start taking effects, and they tend to be more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants, like imipramine Tofranil are effective in treating anxiety disorders. However, their drowsiness and other adverse effects are what make them less popular. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are another type of antidepressant used to treat anxiety. However, their restrictions on diet and the risk of toxicity limit their use.

Benzodiazepines are used to combat panic attacks and anxiety in the short-term, while waiting for SSRIs and SNRIs. These medications can cause addiction to tolerance, sedation, and dependence as well as withdrawal symptoms like a depression, anxiety, and delirium. Benzodiazepines are typically found in alprazolam, clonazepam, and lorazepam.

Therapy is a vital part of any anxiety treatment plan. It aids you in better understand your symptoms and their causes. Many people discover that medication and therapy both aid in coping. Certain studies have demonstrated that cognitive behavioral therapy is as effective as medication for anxiety. Speak to your doctor to determine what is the best option for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines have a calming effect they reduce anxiety and relax muscles that are tense. They also alleviate symptoms of fear-related bodily stimulation (like heart rate, trembling or shaking), and promote sleep.

They function by binding to inhibitory neurons, such as GABA or gamma aminobutryic acid and bind to receptors in the central nervous system. They enhance GABA's effects by facilitating the inhibitory effects of GABA on other neurotransmitters, and by reducing the volume of messages that are sent to the amygdala. This is a region of the brain that is able to detect the threat and triggers a feeling of fear.

anxiety treatment strategies are often employed for short periods of time for instance, during an attack of panic or a severe anxiety episodes. They can help relieve symptoms in 30 to 60 minutes. In contrast to SSRIs they don't stay in the body for long. They're quick-acting and typically take effect in just a couple of hours, making them suitable for situations where you require quick relief (like during a flight or before an event in public).

Since they can be addictive, people are usually only prescribed them up to four weeks at a time. After that period they also become less effective.

One of the reasons why the benzodiazepines became so well-known is that they worked and had few side effects when compared to their predecessors like meprobamate and barbiturates. They have a rapid onset of action and are very effective as anxiolytics (anti-anxiety), sedatives and anticonvulsants and as muscle relaxants.

Benzos were blamed for negative attitudes towards anxiety that were developed in the 1970s and 80s which included the reduction of the disorder and the belief that benzodiazepine treatment result in physical dependence. Yet, benzodiazepines continue to play a crucial role in the treatment for anxiety disorders, especially when they are combined with psychosocial interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy and other interpersonal therapies.

Benzos can interact with other medications and trigger unwanted side effects, such as drowsiness or confusion. It is important to inform your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription or herbal medicines you are currently taking or are planning to take. Go through the British National Formulary A to Z list of medication interactions to find out which medications are safe when taken with benzodiazepines.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants can ease anxiety and other mental health problems. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, antidepressants -- like SSRIs and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) -- can help reduce chronic anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorders and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The FDA has approved many antidepressants for other health ailments, too, such as eating disorders, certain kinds of pain, and bipolar disorder.

SSRIs are typically prescribed as a first-line treatment option for anxiety by doctors, however they might not be effective for everyone. If they aren't working doctors might try the older type of antidepressant known as tricyclic or tetracyclic antidepressants. These include amitriptyline, nortriptyline, clomipramine, trimipramine, doxepin and dothiepin or imipramine. These antidepressants aren't as common but are still readily available. You may also ask your physician to prescribe the sedating antidepressant, trazodone(Desyrel) at lower doses if you're experiencing sleep issues or anxiety.

Nefazodone, also referred to as Ferdinand (Cymbalta) and duloxetine may also be beneficial. They're also available in generic forms. If they do not work, your doctor may suggest the sedating antidepressant mirtazapine (Remeron) or the antipsychotics quetiapine or olanzapine.

Beta blockers are used to treat other anxiety disorders. They lower blood pressure and heart rate by blocking adrenaline. These medications are not typically used to treat anxiety alone however they can be effective when used in conjunction with psychotherapy.





Psychological therapy can help you to change negative thoughts and behaviours that cause anxiety. It can help you control your anxiety and learn strategies for coping. Based on your specific health condition, you could receive cognitive behavioural therapy or exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioural therapy helps you learn to challenge unhelpful, fearful thoughts and overcome avoidance of situations that trigger your anxiety. The process involves increasing the anxiety provoking situations until they become manageable. This can be done individually or in small groups. In both instances it takes time to demonstrate results. Some people believe that a combination of medication and psychotherapy is the best choice. Some people find that taking medication alone is sufficient to treat symptoms. It's crucial to tell your doctor what you're doing to control your symptoms.

Other Medical Treatments

While benzodiazepines and antidepressants are the most common treatment for anxiety, other drugs can ease your symptoms too. Beta blockers and antihistamines are often prescribed to ease anxiety.

These medications correct an imbalance in your brain's chemical balance and can alleviate symptoms by reducing or blocking the signals that can cause stress and fear. However, they're not a cure all. You'll still need to do other things to manage anxiety, such as exercises or relaxation techniques, as well as psychological therapy.

Your doctor may initially prescribe one of the "first choice" anxiety medications, which include SSRIs and SNRIs. According to research, these drugs are the most effective in treating anxiety disorders. Common SSRIs include sertraline (Zoloft) and the fluoxetine (Prozac) and citalopram (Celexa), and escitalopram (Lexapro). These drugs can cause mild side effects like nausea and insomnia, but these usually subside in 4-8 weeks. Contrary to benzodiazepines they're not addictive and won't increase your risk of having suicidal ideas.

The benzodiazepines alprazolam (Xanax) and clonazepam (Klonopin), and diazepoxide (Valium) offer immediate relief from anxiety and panic attacks however they can also cause negative effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, memory and coordination issues, as well as dependence. These drugs are less popular than the older barbiturates, but they are equally effective.

Antihistamines such as Vistaril (hydroxyzine) were initially designed to help with allergies. However they can also be used to reduce anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine can have a calming effect because it blocks histamine receptors. It's not a controlled drug which means it doesn't carry the same dangers of addiction like benzodiazepines.

Another type of medication that may help with anxiety is a class called anticonvulsants. They've been shown to relieve anxiety by inhibiting the production and release of dopamine and serotonin. These medications can be prescribed as a part of a combination therapy or to treat anxiety in the short term. Your doctor will assess your health history and symptoms to determine if these medications are suitable for you. They will also discuss the duration of time you'll need these medications as well as any possible negative side effects that might occur. Anxiety medication is only available on prescription, so you'll need a psychiatrist to prescribe it.