Medications to Treat Anxiety

While therapy is the best treatment anxiety without medication for anxiety, there are times when an infrequent course of medication is required. The medications used to treat anxiety include tranquilizers and antidepressants.

SSRI antidepressants like citalopram, sertraline, and escitalopram are able to reduce anxiety. SNRIs that focus on the chemicals serotonin and norepinephrine can also be effective.

SSRIs

SSRIs are the first class of medication doctors prescribe to treat anxiety disorders. They block the brain's nerve cells from absorbing serotonin, an ingredient which plays a vital function in the regulation of mood. It takes time for the medication to be effective but most people begin feeling better after 4 to 6 weeks. SSRIs do not form a habit and are not addicting, therefore they can continue to be used for a lengthy time.

Another type of antidepressant, SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), also treats depression and anxiety. These SNRIs include citalopram and escitalopram and fluoxetine (Prozac), paraxetine (Paxil), and sertraline. Tricyclic antidepressants like imipramine (Tofranil) and doxepine and Anxiety Disorder stimulant are also used to treat anxiety and depression. Novel antidepressants, [Redirect Only] such as mirtazapine (Remeron) are also used to treat anxiety disorders.

Doctors aren't sure exactly how SSRIs and other SNRIs work however they do know that they boost activity of certain chemical messengers in the brain, known as neurotransmitters. They prevent the brain from reabsorbing chemicals and permit these chemicals to interact with 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 with bulimia, but it is not as common.

Atypical antipsychotics can be prescribed to patients with anxiety who don't respond to SSRIs. Examples include quetiapine (Abilify) and Aripiprazole (Risperdal). These medications reduce anxiety in people with obsessive compulsive disorder. They are often given in conjunction with an antidepressant. they are less likely of serious side effects compared to other types of antipsychotics.

Beta-blockers are also a class of medication that can be used to reduce anxiety treatment for cats and are commonly prescribed for heart ailments. Examples are propranolol (Inderal) and atenolol (Tenormin). They can ease physical symptoms of anxiety in people who suffer from social anxiety disorder. They can help in reducing anxiety, specifically before or after surgery. Benzodiazepines like lorazepam (Ativan) can be used to treat symptoms when other medicines aren't working. The use of benzodiazepines can become addictive and habit-forming.

SNRIs

SNRIs are a different type of antidepressant medications often prescribed to treat anxiety. They work similarly to SSRIs but they also increase the availability of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. This means that they are typically more effective at treating certain types of anxiety disorders, such as social anxiety disorder and panic disorder. These medications are most effective when used in conjunction with other treatment strategies and therapy.

Unlike benzodiazepines SNRIs don't cause dependence or addiction in the majority of people. However, some patients could experience withdrawal when discontinuing the medication after a lengthy period of use. It is crucial to talk with your physician prior to discontinuing any medication.

Neurotransmitters such serotonin as well as norepinephrine regulate stress and mood. Particularly, they play a significant part in the fight or flight response that a large portion of people suffering from anxiety experiences. SNRIs prevent nerve cells from quickly mopping up these neurotransmitters by blocking the process of reuptake. By doing so they hold these chemicals in the brain for longer and as a consequence, they have the potential to improve mood and reduce feelings of anxiety or even help alleviate symptoms of panic attacks.

Norepinephrine is also crucial for anxiety as it stimulates the amygdala which is a nebulous and primordial part of the brain that is linked with fear-related behavior. The SNRIs have been proven to reduce activity in this part of the brain, which can positively impact mood and anxiety and help to ease panic attacks.

Although these drugs are extremely beneficial but it is important to keep in mind that they can have the potential of causing increased suicidal thoughts for some people. Because of this, they are often only prescribed in higher doses for a short-term period. These medications may also interact with other medications and substances. If you are taking any other prescription or over-the-counter medications, be sure to discuss this with your physician and keep them up-to-date on any medical conditions that you may have particularly heart issues and bleeding diseases. Be aware that some patients report adverse reactions to SNRIs such as nausea and a dry mouth.

Benzodiazepines

Benzos, also known as benzodiazepines as they are often called are drugs that act quickly and reduce anxiety and related symptoms, including tension in the muscles and insomnia. Some people with anxiety disorders, such as panic disorder or social anxiety might find them beneficial, especially if they have not been able to respond to other treatments, such as SSRIs and psychotherapy. They can also be helpful as a short-term solution, such as while you are waiting for an antidepressant to begin working. The Benzos include diazepam and lorazepam as well as temazepam and flurazepam.

They usually start working within 30 minutes because they are fast-acting. These drugs don't last very long in the body, so it is essential to take them regularly to reap the benefits. Benzos taken for long periods of time can cause physical dependence and addiction therefore they should only be used for the shortest period possible. Benzos are not recommended for those with anxiety treatment herbal disorders or depression as they could increase the risk of these problems.

People who take benzos for an extended period of time, usually without medical supervision, could develop a condition known as sedative-use disorder, which includes withdrawal symptoms and addiction. This problem is rare in people who take benzos according to prescription. Benzo addiction usually arises from other causes like alcoholism or depression.

Tolerance to benzodiazepines can also develop when they are taken for a long time. Tolerance means that you require more medication in order to achieve the same effects. In certain cases it can result in respiratory depression, coma or death. It is crucial to take benzodiazepines in the prescribed dosage, even on a long-term basis.

Other Medications

SSRIs and SNRIs are the primary medications doctors will typically prescribe for anxiety. They impact serotonin which is responsible for mood as well as appetite and sleep. They can take as long as 12 weeks before they begin to work and may have side effects such as insomnia or nausea. SSRIs are also used to treat other mental health conditions like depression, obsessive compulsive disorder and panic disorder. In contrast to benzodiazepines they don't cause physical dependence but they may trigger withdrawal symptoms if abruptly discontinued.

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

Doctors may prescribe a class called monoamine-oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) as an antidepressant. These medications block the action of specific enzymes that break down chemicals, like serotonin and norepinephrine, and dopamine. MAOIs can take up to three or four weeks to take effect but aren't as fast-acting as SSRIs.

Another medication used to treat anxiety is clonidine. This is used to control high blood pressure. However, it is not widely used to treat anxiety. Its effectiveness is limited due to adverse effects such as hypotension and sedation. Antihistamines such as hydroxyzine can be prescribed by medical professionals to help reduce anxiety and panic attacks. They may also decrease the effectiveness of benzodiazepines in some patients.

Anxiety is typically treated with a combination of psychotherapy exercise and medication. The most effective approach is to work with someone who is specialized in treating anxiety disorders. They can assist you in working through the root causes of your anxiety and suggest strategies to manage it without medication, if necessary. Other treatment options for anxiety that aren't medications include eye movement desensitization reprocessing, mindfulness meditation and trauma-informed yoga. Talk with your therapist about which options are the best treatment for generalized anxiety for you. Psychiatrists are trained to evaluate your medical history, symptoms and formulate an anxiety treatment plan that is suitable for you. They will consider your specific medical history and preferences when developing the plan and will make adjustments as needed.