7 Secrets About Meds To Treat Anxiety That Nobody Will Share With You
Medications to Treat Anxiety
Although therapy is the best treatment for anxiety, sometimes an infrequent course of medication is required. Medications to treat anxiety include tranquilizers and antidepressants.
SSRI antidepressants such as citalopram (Celexa), the escitalopram (Lexapro) and sertraline (Zoloft) enhance communication between nerve cells in the brain and reduce anxiety. SNRIs that target the chemical serotonin as well as norepinephrine could be effective.
SSRIs
SSRIs are the first line of treatment doctors prescribe to treat anxiety disorders. They block the brain's nerve cells from absorbing serotonin, an ingredient that plays a key function in the regulation of mood. The drugs take a while to work, but most people experience improvement within 4 to 6 weeks. SSRIs aren't habit-forming and will not cause addiction, which means they are safe to use for longer periods of time.
Another type of antidepressant, SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), also treats depression and anxiety. These SNRIs include citalopram and escitalopram, fluoxetine (Prozac), paraxetine (Paxil) and sertraline. Tricyclic antidepressants such as imipramine (Tofranil) and Doxepine (Anxiety Disorder Stimulant) also treat anxiety and depression. New antidepressants like mirtazapine (Remeron) are also used to treat anxiety disorders.
Doctors aren't sure how SSRIs or SNRIs function but they do are aware that they enhance the activity of chemical messengers known as neurotransmitters in the brain. They stop the brain from absorbing these chemicals, and permit them to bind with their 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 aid in bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder, but it is less frequent.
People suffering from anxiety who do not respond to SSRIs might be prescribed an antipsychotic atypical medication. Examples include quetiapine, (Abilify), and aripiprazole, (Risperdal). These drugs decrease anxiety in people with obsessive compulsive disorder. They are usually given together with an antidepressant. They are less likely to cause serious adverse reactions than other forms of antipsychotics.
Beta-blockers are also prescribed to treat anxiety, and heart problems. Examples include propranolol (Inderal) and atenolol (Tenormin). They can reduce the physical symptoms of anxiety, particularly for those with social anxiety disorder. They can also assist in reducing anxiety before or following surgery and also for certain chronic pain conditions. Benzodiazepines such as lorazepam (Ativan) can be used to control symptoms when other medication aren't working. However, benzodiazepines are habit-forming and can lead to addiction.
SNRIs
SNRIs are a different type of antidepressant medications that are often prescribed to combat anxiety. They function similarly to SSRIs but they also increase the amount of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. As a result, they are typically more effective in treating specific types of anxiety disorders, including social anxiety disorder and panic disorder. Similar to other medications, they work best when they are combined with therapy for talk and other treatment strategies.
Unlike benzodiazepines, SNRIs do not create dependence or addiction in most people. Some sufferers might experience withdrawal symptoms after stopping a medication after long-term use. It is crucial to talk with your physician prior to discontinuing any medication.
Neurotransmitters such as serotonin and norepinephrine are responsible for regulating mood and stress. Specifically, they play an important role in the fight-or-flight reaction that a lot of people suffering from anxiety experience. The SNRIs hinder nerve cells from rapidly soaking up these neurotransmitters by blocking the process of reuptake. They help keep these chemicals in the body for longer periods of time and can boost mood, decrease anxiety, or even alleviate panic attacks.
Norepinephrine is also involved in anxiety as it activates the Amygdala. This is a deep and primitive part of the brain that is linked to fearful behavior. It has been demonstrated that SNRIs reduce activity in this part of the brain, which could positively impact anxiety and mood and help to ease anxiety attacks.
While these medications are extremely beneficial, it is important to keep in mind that they can carry a risk of increased suicidal thoughts in some individuals. This is why they are typically prescribed in higher doses for a short time. In addition, these medications may interact with other drugs and other substances. It is important to inform your doctor if you are taking any other prescriptions or over-the counter medicines. Also, keep them informed of any medical conditions that may be underlying like heart issues and bleeding disorders. Also, be aware that certain patients have reported adverse reactions to SNRIs including nausea and dry mouth.
Benzodiazepines
Benzos, also known as benzodiazepines as they are often called are a class of drugs that reduce anxiety and anxiety related symptoms, like muscle tension and insomnia. treatments for anxiety disorders suffering from anxiety disorders like social anxiety or panic disorder may find them useful, especially if they have not been able to respond to other treatments such as SSRIs and psychotherapy. They can be utilized as a temporary solution as you wait for your antidepressant medication to kick in. The medications diazepam (Valium) and lorazepam (Ativan) are the most common benzos, although other benzos include Clonazepam (Rivotril), temazepam (Restoril) and flurazepam (Dalmane).
They usually start working within 30 minutes because they're rapid-acting. The meds don't last in the body for long, which is why they must be consumed regularly to reap the maximum benefits. Benzos should not be taken for prolonged periods of time as they can lead to physical dependence and addiction. Benzos are not recommended for those with depression or other anxiety disorders, as they can increase the risk of those issues.
People who use benzos for a long period of time, often without medical supervision, could develop a condition called sedative-use disorders, which can include withdrawal symptoms and addiction. It is not common for those who use benzos according to their prescription to develop this disorder, however. Benzo addiction usually arises from other factors such as alcoholism or depression.
The tolerance to benzodiazepines may develop when they are taken for a long period of time. When you become tolerant to the effects, you require more of the medication to have the same effect. This can sometimes lead to respiratory depression or even death. It is essential to take benzodiazepines according to the prescription, even on a long-term basis.
Other Medical Treatments
SSRIs and SNRIs are the first medications doctors will usually prescribe to treat anxiety. They impact serotonin which is responsible for mood appetite, sleep, and mood. They may take a long time to show results, up to 12 weeks, and have some side effects like nausea or insomnia. SSRIs can also be used to treat mental disorders such as panic disorder, depression and obsessive compulsive disorder. Antidepressants, unlike benzodiazepines, do not cause physical dependence. However, they could cause withdrawal symptoms when abruptly stopped.
Sertraline (Zoloft), Prozac (Prozac) Prozac (Zoloft), and Celexa (Citalopram) are the three medications that fall under this class. They can be used alone or in combination with therapy. Antidepressants are prescribed by psychiatrists, psychologists or family doctors with specialized expertise in the field of medication management.
Doctors can prescribe a class of monoamine-oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) as an antidepressant. They block the actions of certain enzymes that break down chemicals, such as serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. MAOIs can take three or four weeks to begin working but they're not as fast-acting as SSRIs.
Another medication used to treat anxiety is clonidine, which is used to manage blood pressure, but has limited use in treating anxiety. Its effectiveness is limited because of adverse effects such as hypotension and sedation. Antihistamines like hydroxyzine may be prescribed by doctors to reduce anxiety and panic attacks. They also can reduce the effectiveness of benzodiazepines for certain patients.
The treatment for anxiety is usually using medication, psychotherapy and exercise. The most effective method is to consult an expert therapist who is skilled in treating anxiety disorders. They can assist you in identifying the root cause of your anxiety, and suggest strategies to manage it, without medication if required. Other options for treating anxiety that do not require medication include eye movement desensitization mindfulness meditation, reprocessing and yoga based on trauma. Talk to your therapist about what options are the best for you. Psychiatrists are trained to analyze your medical history and symptoms and formulate a treatment plan that works for you. When preparing the plan, they take into consideration your lifestyle, diagnosis medical background, lifestyle, and personal preferences. They may also make adjustments over time.