Anxiety Treatment Medicines: A Simple Definition
Anxiety Treatment Medications
Psychotherapy and medication can help those suffering from anxiety disorders. Benzodiazepines, such as Xanax, Klonopin, and Valium are used to treat anxiety.
Antidepressants are also used to treat anxiety. SSRIs such as fluoxetine and citalopram are effective in preventing neurons in the brain from reabsorbing serotonin. This chemical affects mood.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines (benzos) are powerful medications that treat anxiety very well, and they work very quickly. They are also physically addictive and pose serious safety risks if used for a long time. This is why they should always be prescribed and administered under the supervision of a doctor. They are an "as-needed" treatment for panic attacks and other anxiety-related episodes that are severe. Benzos can be used in combination with psychotherapy, antidepressants and other medicines to treat anxiety disorders.
Benzos are extremely effective for short-term anxiety relief, and they can assist you in getting the best night's sleep. They can be hazardous when used in excess and are not recommended to be used alongside other drugs. When benzodiazepines are combined with sedatives, such as alcohol and opioid pain medications, the risk of death or overdose increases. They also interact with antidepressants, which can cause severe and life-threatening withdrawal symptoms.
When prescribed by your doctor, benzodiazepines can be effective and safe when treating anxiety disorders. A lot of doctors are cautious when prescribing them as they can trigger addiction and adverse side effects, like memory loss. Long-term use can trigger an extreme withdrawal reaction and those who become dependent on them are often unable to stop taking them without experiencing serious symptoms like depression and seizures. The main thing to remember about long-term use of benzos is to use them only for patients who could benefit from them; use them in situations in which they could improve anxiety symptoms; stay away from prolonged use or abrupt discontinuation; reduce the possibility of abuse, particularly among children; and pair them with effective psychological treatments.
Anxiety medication like benzodiazepines are a great way to alleviate anxiety. They accomplish this by blocking certain nerve signals and thus preventing their brains from firing. These medications can help you sleep more comfortably and feel less stressed, but they won't solve the root issue that's causing you anxious (like increasing bills or an unhealthy relationship).
There are some natural ways to lessen anxiety such as exercise, meditation and yoga. Other treatments include cognitive behavior therapy, in which you learn to confront your irrational fears and anxieties.
Antidepressants
SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are a great option for anxiety because they work on the brain to control mood. However, they can take between four and six weeks or more to start working. If someone does not feel better during the time frame it is recommended to talk with their doctor about changing their medication.
Antidepressants such as mirtazapine or nefazodone are also effective in treating anxiety. They may be more effective than older medications like venlafaxine and XR. It's important to remember that these drugs can cause severe reactions in certain people. If someone experiences this reaction you should seek immediate medical attention or contact healthdirect at 1800 022 222 to speak to an experienced nurse (known as NURSE-ON CALL in Victoria).
Monoamine Oxase Inhibitors, also known as MAOIs, are a different kind of antidepressant that can be used for anxiety. They block enzymes that break chemicals in the brain down to noradrenaline, among others. This causes levels of these chemicals, which can have a a positive impact on mood, to rise. MAOIs tend to be reserved for patients who don't respond well to other antidepressants. However they can be extremely effective in treating anxiety.
Among the most effective antidepressants for anxiety are the tricyclic antidepressants. These drugs help with mental and anxiety disorders in a similar manner to SSRIs but with less adverse effects. These medications start at a lower dose and their effectiveness improves as the dose is increased. Tricyclics are effective in treating panic, anxiety disorders and obsessive compulsive disorder. However, they may not be as effective when treating generalized anxiety disorder.
Buspirone, a more recent antidepressant is also used for anxiety. It is an a mild tranquilizer, however it doesn't cause the same adverse effects as benzodiazepines. It doesn't affect coordination or memory. It increases serotonin in the brain and decreasing dopamine. About 70% of those who take the drug find it effective. The side effects tend to decrease when the medication is used for longer durations. Talk therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy and/or exposure therapy, can be incorporated with these medications to improve their effect.
Buspirone
Buspirone is a generic medicine used to treat anxiety disorders. It is taken orally, usually twice daily. It's not a controlled drug however, it has potential for abuse.
Doctors aren't certain of the exact way it operates, but they believe that buspirone can reduce the amount and action of a chemical known as serotonin that is found in certain areas of the brain. This makes the nervous systems less sensitive to anxiety and stress.
In general, doctors believe that buspirone is to be a safe medication for the majority of people. It is generally believed to be less toxic and has a lower risk of addiction than benzodiazepines and barbiturates. However, just like other drugs there are side effects. The most common side effects are nausea and dizziness. Buspirone can interact with other medicines, supplements, and ingredients. Tell your doctor if taking any of these prior to beginning the medication.
Your doctor may recommend a lower dose if you are over 65. This is because people who are older tend to react to drugs differently than younger people do. This is particularly true for drugs that affect the nervous system.
Inform your doctor whether any of these medications are being taken by you. These include isocarboxazid linezolid, phenelzine, selegiline, Emsam, Zelapar, and tranylcypromine. Buspirone can increase the levels of these drugs within your body, which can lead to serious side effects.
Tell your doctor whether you suffer from kidney or liver diseases stomach problems, breastfeeding or pregnant. In these circumstances, some medications, such as SSRIs might not be appropriate for you.
Your doctor could prescribe an alternative treatment if buspirone doesn't work or when you are unable take it due to a medical condition, or due to an interaction with another medication. It could be a new kind of antidepressant like Lexapro, Prozac, a beta-blocker such as propranolol, or a benzodiazepine like Xanax. The PIL will give more details about how to take the drug and any possible adverse reactions.
Other Medicines
There are other treatments available to help ease anxiety. Psychotherapy or talk therapy is a possibility. Psychotherapy can help you change the way you think about anxiety and help you develop strategies to manage it. Other options include learning relaxation techniques and maintaining a regular workout routine, and abstaining from using alcohol and drugs. Some people experience relief from anxiety-related symptoms by taking herbal medicines. If you've tried these alternatives and they don't help consult your physician.
Antidepressants andbenzodiazepines are the two main types of drugs used to treat anxiety. Benzodiazepines such as Ativan, or lorazepam, boost the activity of GABA in your brain, which increases tranquility. They can help you feel better quickly, but they can also become addictive when used long-term. Antidepressants take longer to work but they can balance the levels of certain chemicals in your brain, called neurotransmitters, which affect your mood.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors(SSRIs), or SSRIs are the most common type of antidepressant for anxiety. They increase the level of the chemical messenger serotonin in your brain, which can boost your mood and help you feel less anxious. Another antidepressant class, serotonin norepinephrine-reuptake inhibitors or SNRIs, stop the reabsorption of serotonin and norepinephrine within your brain, increasing levels of these chemicals and causing you to feel more energetic. Monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs) are another antidepressant class that is sometimes used by those who do not respond to SSRIs to combat anxiety.
There are a variety of other medicines that are frequently used to treat anxiety, such as azapirones (such as buspirone), alpha- and beta-blockers, antihistamines (such as hydroxyzine), and Clonidine. anxiety depression treatment have a lower percentage of success than SSRIs or benzodiazepines.
Although medication is a very effective anxiety treatment but it shouldn't be the only treatment you use. If you have an underlying reason for your anxiety, such as debt, a poor diet, or a bad relationship, non-medicative treatments could be more efficient. Other options include cognitive behavioral therapy, also known as CBT; biofeedback, which helps you to manage your brain waves by using a monitor device; and mindfulness meditation, a kind of meditation that is focused on the present moment.