Be On The Lookout For: How Anxiety Treatment Medicines Is Taking Over And How To Stop It
Anxiety Treatment Medications
People with anxiety disorders usually improve with psychotherapy and medication. Benzodiazepines like Xanax, Klonopin, and Valium are used to treat anxiety.
Antidepressants also help treat anxiety. SSRIs such as fluoxetine and citalopram work by preventing nerve cells in the brain from reabsorbing serotonin. This chemical affects mood.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines (benzos) are powerful medicines that treat anxiety very well, and they work very quickly. They can also be physically addictive and pose significant safety risks when used for long periods. They should only be used under the supervision of a doctor. They can be useful as an "as required" treatment for panic attacks and other severe anxiety episodes. Benzos can be used in conjunction with antidepressants, psychotherapy and other medications to treat anxiety disorders.
Benzos are extremely effective for short-term anxiety treatment and can aid in getting the best night's sleep. However, they can be dangerous when used in excess, and are not recommended for use with some other medications. When mixed with sedative drugs like alcohol or pain medication, benzodiazepines could increase the risk of an overdose and even death. They can also interact with antidepressants, which can cause severe and life-threatening withdrawal symptoms.
When prescribed by treatment for anxiety attacks When prescribed by your doctor, benzodiazepines can be very effective and safe in treating anxiety disorders. However, many doctors are cautious when it comes to taking them because they can be addictive and cause negative side effects, such as memory loss. Long-term use can trigger severe withdrawal reactions, and people who become dependent are typically unable to stop taking them without experiencing severe symptoms such as depression and seizures. The main thing to remember about long-term use of benzos is to: prescribe them only to patients who could benefit from them; use them in clinical situations that are likely to ameliorate anxiety symptoms; avoid long-term use or abrupt discontinuation; minimize the possibility of abuse, especially by children; and pair them with effective psychological interventions.
Anxiety medication like benzodiazepines are a great way to ease anxiety. They accomplish this by blocking certain nerve signals and thus preventing their transmission to the brain. These drugs can aid in sleeping better and feel less anxious, but they won't solve the underlying problem that's making you feel anxious (like increasing costs or a relationship that isn't working).
There are some natural ways to reduce anxiety, such as exercise, meditation and yoga. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a different treatment. You can learn to overcome anxiety and worries that are not rational.
Antidepressants
SSRIs which are also known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, are a good choice for anxiety, because they help the brain manage mood. It could take up four weeks for them to start working. If a person doesn't feel better in that time it is recommended to talk to their physician about changing their medication.
Antidepressants like mirtazapine or Nefazodone are effective in treating anxiety. They can be more effective in comparison to older drugs like venlafaxine XR. It is important to be aware that these drugs can cause severe reactions in some people. If they have this reaction you should seek immediate medical attention or call healthdirect at 1800 022 222 to speak to an experienced nurse (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria).
MAOIs are another type of antidepressant that can be used to treat anxiety. They block the action of enzymes that breakdown brain chemicals which include dopamine and noradrenaline. This allows the levels these chemicals to rise which has a positive effect on mood. MAOIs are generally reserved for patients who are not improving on other antidepressants however they can be very effective in treating anxiety.
The most effective antidepressants to treat anxiety are the tricyclic antidepressants. These drugs treat mental and anxiety disorders in a way similar as SSRIs however, with fewer adverse effects. They are effective in low doses, but their effectiveness increases with increasing dosage. Tricyclics are effective in treating panic, anxiety disorders and obsessive compulsive disorder. However, they may not be as effective in treating generalized anxiety disorder.
Buspirone, a more recent antidepressant is also used for anxiety. It acts as a mild tranquilizer but it doesn't have the same negative side effects as benzodiazepines. It also doesn't hinder memory or coordination. It works by boosting the serotonin levels in the brain and reducing dopamine levels. About 70% of people who try the drug will find it to be effective. The adverse effects are likely to decrease when the medication is taken for longer durations. Talk therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and/or exposure therapy, can be incorporated with these medications to enhance their effectiveness.
Buspirone
Buspirone is a medication used to treat anxiety disorders. It's taken by mouth, usually twice a day. It is not a controlled drug however there is a chance of abuse.
Doctors aren't sure exactly how it works, but they think that buspirone reduces the amount and actions of a chemical referred to as serotonin that is found in certain areas of the brain. This makes the nervous systems less sensitive to anxiety and stress.
Buspirone is generally considered safe by doctors for the majority of people. It's generally thought as having a lower degree of toxicity and a smaller risk of addiction than barbiturates and benzodiazepines. Like other medicines they can cause adverse effects. Most common are nausea and dizziness. It is essential to inform your doctor about all medicines, supplements and other ingredients you are taking prior to starting buspirone because it could interact with them.
If you're older than 65, your doctor might prescribe a lower dose of buspirone. This is because older people tend to respond to drugs differently than younger people do. This is especially true for drugs that affect the nervous system.
It's also important to tell your doctor if taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, such as isocarboxazid (Marplan) or linezolid (Zyvox) and Phenelzine (Nardil) or selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar) or tranylcypromine (Parnate). Buspirone can cause serious side effects by increasing the concentrations of these drugs.
Inform your doctor to consult your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease stomach issues, are breastfeeding or pregnant. Certain medicines, like SSRIs are not appropriate for you in these situations.
Your doctor might prescribe an alternative treatment in the event that buspirone isn't working or when you are unable take it due to a medical condition, or because of an interaction with another medication. This could be a different type of antidepressant such as Lexapro or Prozac or a beta blocker, such as propranolol or a benzodiazepine drug, such as Xanax. The PIL will provide more information on how to take the drug and any possible adverse effects.
Other Medications
In addition to medications There are other options to help alleviate anxiety. Psychotherapy or talk therapy is a possibility. Psychotherapy can teach you how to deal with anxiety and change your way of thinking. Other options include acquiring relaxation techniques, maintaining a regular workout routine, and abstaining from using alcohol and drugs. Some people get relief from anxiety-related symptoms by taking herbal medication. If none of these options work, consult your doctor.
Medications used as an anxiety treatment usually fall into two broad categories: benzodiazepines and antidepressants. Benzodiazepines, such as Ativan (lorazepam), enhance the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid or GABA which is found in your brain, which helps to increase tranquility. They can help you feel better quickly however they can become addictive if used for a long time. Antidepressants take longer to kick in but they balance the levels of certain chemicals in your brain, called neurotransmitters. They affect your mood.
SSRIs are the most common antidepressants for anxiety. They increase the amount serotonin which is a chemical messenger in your brain. This can improve your mood or cause you to feel less anxious. Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are a different antidepressant that stops the reabsorption of serotonin and norepinephrine from your brain. This raises levels of these chemicals in your body, which makes you feel more energetic. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are another antidepressant class that is often prescribed by people who don't respond to SSRIs to combat anxiety.
There are numerous other medications that can be used to combat anxiety. These include azapirones alpha- and Beta-blockers, Antihistamines, such as Clonidine and hydroxyzine. These medicines have a lower chance of success than SSRIs or benzodiazepines.
Although medication is an effective treatment for anxiety but it shouldn't be the only treatment you use. Alternative treatments are more effective if there is an underlying cause for your anxiety, such as eating disorders, debt or a bad relationship. Other options include cognitive behavioral therapy, also known as biofeedback, which teaches you to manage your brain waves with a monitoring device and mindfulness meditation, which is a form of meditation that focuses on the present moment.