Meds That Treat Anxiety

Anxiety affects 40 million people in the United States. There are a variety of medications available to treat anxiety.

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. They aren't addictive, unlike benzodiazepines.

SSRIs

The most commonly used anxiety medications are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) which include citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro) and fluoxetine (Prozac). These drugs also treat depression and can alleviate the symptoms of other anxiety disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). They may take up to a month before they begin to work.

These drugs help by increasing the levels of certain chemical transmitters in the brain. This includes serotonin and norepinephrine as well as dopamine. They're typically the first treatment for anxiety symptoms option for anxiety, though doctors may also prescribe other kinds of antidepressants and benzodiazepines.

Another class of antidepressants, called serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) such as duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor), are also used to treat anxiety. They differ from SSRIs since they reduce norepinephrine but at a lower degree than SSRIs. These medications take a long time to take effect and are more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants like imipramine Tofranil can be effective in treating anxiety disorders. However their drowsiness and other adverse effects make them less popular. Another type of antidepressant, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) can be used to combat anxiety. However, their restrictions on diet and high functioning anxiety treatment risk of toxicity restrict 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 tolerance addiction, sedation, and withdrawal reactions that can cause rebound depression, anxiety and even delirium. Benzodiazepines are typically found in alprazolam as well as clonazepam and lorazepam.

Therapy is an essential component of an anxiety treatment plan because it allows you to discover more about the symptoms and their reasons. Many people find that therapy and medication both aid in coping. Certain studies have demonstrated that cognitive behavioral therapy is as effective as medication for anxiety. Talk to your doctor about your options and determine what could be the best choice for you.

Benzodiazepines

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

The way they work is through binding to inhibitory neurotransmitters such as gamma-aminobutryic acid or GABA and interacting with receptors in the central nervous system. They increase the effects of GABA by facilitating the inhibitory effect of GABA on other neurotransmitters, and reducing the number of messages sent to the amygdala. It is a part of the brain that evaluates threats and creates a sense of fear.

These medications are typically employed for short periods of time for instance, during an attack of panic or a severe anxiety attack. They may help relieve the symptoms within 30 to 90 minutes after taking them. In contrast to SSRIs which are a long-lasting medication, benzodiazepines do not stay in the body for very long. They're quick-acting and can be used in a matter of hours. This makes them ideal for situations in which quick relief is required (such for instance, on an airplane or before a presentation in public).

They can be addictive, so people are generally only prescribed them for up to 4 weeks at a time. They also lose effectiveness after that time.

One of the main reasons why benzodiazepines are so popular is that they are efficient and have minimal side effects compared to their predecessors, such as barbiturates or meprobamate. They have a rapid time to begin their action and are extremely effective as anxiolytics (anti-anxiety) as well as sedatives and anticonvulsants and as muscle relaxants.

Benzos were blamed for the negative attitudes towards anxiety that were developed during the 1970s and 80s which included the reduction of the disorder and the perception that benzodiazepine therapies result in physical dependence. Yet however, benzodiazepines still play a crucial part in the treatment of anxiety disorders, especially when they are combined with psychosocial interventions like cognitive behavioral therapy or interpersonal therapies.

Benzos can interact with other drugs and cause undesirable side-effects such as drowsiness, confusion or drowsiness. You should tell your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription, or herbal medications that you currently take or plan to take. You can determine which medications are safe to take along with benzodiazepines by looking up the British National Formulary A-Z list of medication interactions.

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 to treat other conditions, too, such as eating disorders, some types of pain, and bipolar disorder.

The majority of doctors prescribe SSRIs as a first-line treatment for anxiety, however these medications may not be effective for everyone. If the antidepressants do not work the doctor might suggest an older form of medication known as a tetracyclic or tricyclic antidepressant. These include amitriptyline or nortriptyline as well as clomipramine. These antidepressants aren't as common but still available. Your doctor may prescribe the antidepressant with a sedating effect, trazodone (Desyrel) in lower doses for sleep or anxiety.

Nefazodone, also known as Ferdinand (Cymbalta) and duloxetine are also helpful. They are also available in generic form. If they do not work, your doctor might suggest a sedating antidepressant mirtazapine (Remeron) or the antipsychotics quetiapine and olanzapine.

Treatments for other anxiety disorders include beta blockers that reduce the heart rate and blood pressure by blocking the actions of adrenaline. These drugs are not usually used to treat anxiety alone however they can be effective if coupled with psychotherapy.

Psychotherapy can help you change negative thoughts and behaviors that contribute towards your anxiety. It can help you control your anxiety and learn coping skills. Based on the severity of your situation, exposure therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy may be recommended. Cognitive behavioral therapy teaches you how to treat anxiety naturally overcome fears and thoughts that are harmful, and to overcome your aversion to situations which trigger anxiety. Exposure therapy involves gradually increasing the level of anxiety-provoking situations until you are able to handle the stressors. It can be performed either in a group, or by yourself. In both cases, it takes time to demonstrate results. Some people find that a combination of medication and psychotherapy is the best choice. Some people find that medication alone is enough to manage symptoms. Tell your doctor how to treat anxiety disorder naturally you manage your symptoms.

Other Medications

Other medications can also help relieve your symptoms. Antihistamines, beta blockers, and buspirone are all sometimes prescribed to reduce anxiety.

These medications can help alleviate your symptoms by lowering or blocking the signals that trigger anxiety and stress. They're not a panacea. You will still need to do things to manage anxiety, such as exercises as well as relaxation techniques, and psychotherapy.

Your doctor may first prescribe one of the "first choices" anxiety medications, which are SSRIs and SNRIs. These are the most effective medicines to treat anxiety disorders, according to research studies. SSRIs are usually found in sertraline (Zoloft), the fluoxetine, citalopram and escitalopram. These drugs can cause mild side effects such as insomnia and nausea, but these usually subside in 4-8 weeks. Contrary to benzodiazepines they're not addictive and don't increase the risk of suicidal thoughts.

The benzodiazepines, alprazolam, clonazepam, and diazepoxide, (Valium) are a quick relief from Separation Anxiety Treatment and panic attacks. However, they can cause side effects such as dizziness and drowsiness. They may also cause problems with coordination and memory and even dependence. They're less well-known over the more traditional barbiturates however, they're equally efficient.

Antihistamines such as Vistaril (hydroxyzine) were initially designed to help with allergies. However they can also be used to reduce anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine blocks the histamine receptors in the brain and may cause a calming effect. It is not a controlled substance and therefore does not carry the same risks of addiction as benzodiazepines.

Anticonvulsants are a different type of medication which can be used to treat anxiety. They have been found to reduce anxiety by interfering in the production and release of dopamine as well as sérotonin. They can be prescribed in combination with other medicines or as a short-term treatment for anxiety treatment herbal. Your doctor will examine your health history and symptoms to determine if these drugs are appropriate for you. They will discuss the length of time you'll need to take these medications and any negative side effects that might occur. Anxiety medications can only be purchased on prescription, so you'll need to visit an astrologer to obtain them.