Meds That Treat Anxiety

Anxiety affects more than 40 million adults in the United States. It is extremely treatable, and there are many types of medications available.

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. Unlike benzodiazepines, they're not addictive.

SSRIs

The most common anxiety medication is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) which include citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro) and fluoxetine (Prozac). These medications are also used to treat depression and relieve symptoms of other sex anxiety treatment disorders, such as obsessive compulsive disorder. It could take up to one month before they begin working.

These medications help by increasing the levels of certain chemical transmitters that are present in the brain. This includes serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. These drugs are usually the first choice to treat anxiety, although doctors may prescribe other forms of antidepressants and benzodiazepines.

Antidepressants, such as duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor) are also used to treat anxiety. They differ from SSRIs since they reduce norepinephrine, however at a lower level than SSRIs. These medicines may take a few days to start taking effects, and also are more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants, such as imipramine Tofranil, can be effective in treating social anxiety disorder treatment disorders. Their drowsiness, as well as other side effects make them less popular. Another type of antidepressant, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are also able to be used to combat anxiety. They are a high risk of toxicity and restrictions on diets make them unsuitable for use.

Benzodiazepines are frequently used to treat panic attacks and anxiety in the short term for instance, when waiting for SSRIs or SNRIs to take effect. These medications can cause dependence to tolerance, sedation, and dependence, as well as withdrawal symptoms such a depression, anxiety, and delirium. Benzodiazepines are typically found in alprazolam as well as clonazepam and lorazepam.

Therapy is a crucial component of any treatment plan for anxiety. It aids you in better know your symptoms and their reasons. Many people find that both therapy and medication help to manage anxiety. In fact, some studies suggest that cognitive behavior therapy is just as effective as medications for anxiety. Talk with your doctor about your options and which might be best for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines can have a calming effect that reduces anxiety and relaxes tense muscle. They also alleviate symptoms of bodily stimulation related to fear (like heart rate or trembling) and help promote sleep.

The way they function is through binding to inhibitory neurotransmitters, such as gamma-aminobutryic acid or GABA and interacting with receptors in the central nervous system. They boost the effects of GABA by facilitating the inhibitory effect 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 threats and creates a sense of anxiety.

These medications can be utilized for short durations, such as when panic attacks occur or when you experience extreme anxiety. They can relieve symptoms within 30 to 60 minutes. Benzodiazepines are different from SSRIs do not stay in the body long. They are fast-acting and often perform in just a few hours, making them suitable for situations where quick relief is needed (like during a flight or before giving an event in public).

They are addictive, and people are usually prescribed them for a maximum of 4 weeks at a time. After that period they lose their effectiveness.

One of the reasons why benzodiazepines became so popular is that they were effective and had few side effects, when compared to their predecessors, such as meprobamate and barbiturates. They are fast in the onset of action and are very useful as anxiolytics (anti-anxiety) as well as sedatives and anticonvulsants as well as as muscle relaxants.

Benzos were blamed for negative attitudes towards anxiety that developed in the 1970s and 1980s which included the reduction of the disorder, and the belief that benzodiazepine treatment result in physical dependence. Despite this, they continue to play a crucial role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, particularly when used in conjunction with psychosocial interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy.

Benzos can interact with other medications and cause unwanted side-effects, such as drowsiness or confusion. It is important to inform your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription or herbal medications that you currently use or are planning to take. You can find out which medications are safe to take with benzodiazepines through the British National Formulary A-Z list of drug interactions.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants are effective in treating anxiety and other mental conditions. 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 treatments medication disorder (GAD). The FDA has approved many antidepressants to treat other health conditions, too, such as eating disorders, certain kinds of pain and bipolar disorder.

Most doctors recommend SSRIs as the first-line alternative treatment for anxiety and panic attacks for anxiety, however these drugs may not be appropriate for all people. If these antidepressants aren't working the doctor might suggest an older version called a tetracyclic or tricyclic antidepressant. These include amitriptyline and nortriptyline and clomipramine. They're less common than newer antidepressants but are still readily available. You can also ask your doctor to prescribe the sedating antidepressant trazodone(Desyrel) in lower doses if you're having sleep problems or anxiety.

Nefazodone, also referred to as Ferdinand (Cymbalta) and duloxetine can also be helpful. They're also available in generic form. If they don't work, your doctor can try the antidepressant that is sedating, mirtazapine (Remeron) or the antipsychotics olanzapine and quetiapine.

Beta blockers are used to treat other anxiety disorders. They reduce heart rate and blood pressure by blocking adrenaline. These drugs aren't usually used to treat anxiety on their own, but can be helpful when used in conjunction with psychological therapy.

Psychotherapy can assist you to alter negative thoughts and behaviors that cause anxiety. It can help you manage your anxiety and develop how to cope. Based on the severity of your situation exposure therapy or cognitive behavior therapy may be recommended. Cognitive behavioral therapy teaches you to confront unhelpful and fearful thoughts, and to overcome your aversion to situations that trigger anxiety. The process involves increasing the intensity of anxiety-inducing situations until they are manageable. This can be done individually or in a small group. In both cases, results take time to appear. A combination of medication and psychological therapy is the best choice for some individuals. Some people discover that medications alone are sufficient to control their symptoms. It's crucial to tell your doctor about the things you're doing to control your symptoms.

Other Medical Treatments

While antidepressants and benzodiazepines are the most common medications to treat anxiety, other drugs can ease your symptoms as well. Antihistamines and beta blockers are often prescribed to alleviate anxiety.

These drugs can correct an imbalance in your brain chemicals and can help ease your symptoms by lowering or blocking the signals that can cause anxiety and stress. However, they'ren't the only solution. You'll still require a variety of methods to manage anxiety, like physical exercise relaxation techniques, relaxation techniques and psychotherapy.

Your doctor could initially prescribe one of the "first choice" anxiety medication, which includes SSRIs and SNRIs. These are the most effective drugs to treat anxiety disorders, according to research studies. SSRIs are typically found in sertraline (Zoloft), the fluoxetine, citalopram and escitalopram. These drugs can cause minor side effects, such as insomnia and nausea, but these tend to subside within 4-8 weeks. They aren't addictive, and they don't increase the risk of suicidal thoughts.

The benzodiazepines such as alprazolam diazepoxide, and clonazepam (Valium) are a quick relief from anxiety and panic attacks. However, they may cause adverse effects, including drowsiness and dizziness. They can also cause memory and coordination issues, and even dependence. These medications are less well-known than older barbiturates, however they are equally effective.

Antihistamines, such as Vistaril (hydroxyzine), were developed to relieve allergies however, they're also employed to alleviate anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine has a calming effect because it blocks histamine receptors. It's not a controlled drug, so it doesn't have the same risks of addiction like benzodiazepines.

Another kind of medication that can aid with anxiety is a class called anticonvulsants. They've been proven to reduce anxiety by interfering with the release and production of dopamine and serotonin. They might be prescribed in conjunction with other medications or as a short-term alternative treatment for Anxiety and Panic attacks for anxiety. Your doctor will assess your health history and symptoms to determine if these medicines are suitable for you. They'll also discuss how long you should be taking them and any potential negative side effects. Anxiety medication is only available on prescription, so you'll need to visit an astrologer to obtain these medications.