How To Tell If You're Set For Treat Anxiety
Meds That Treat Anxiety
Anxiety is one of the most frequent mental health conditions that affects 40 million adults in the United States. There are a variety of medications available to treat it.
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. Contrary to benzodiazepines they're not addictive.
SSRIs
The most common anxiety medications are selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro) and fluoxetine (Prozac). These medications also treat depression and can ease the symptoms of other anxiety disorders, like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It could take up to a month before they start working.
These drugs increase the levels of certain chemical messengers within the brain, including serotonin and norepinephrine. These drugs are usually the first choice to treat anxiety, although doctors may prescribe other forms of antidepressants or benzodiazepines.
Antidepressants like duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine, (Effexor) are also used to treat anxiety. They are a bit different from SSRIs because they decrease norepinephrine but at a lower level than SSRIs. These medicines may take a few days to take effect, and they also are more expensive than SSRIs.
Tricyclic antidepressants like imipramine Tofranil are effective for treating anxiety disorders. Their drowsiness, as well as other side effects make them less popular. Monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs) are a different kind of antidepressant that can be used to treat anxiety. However, their restrictions on diet and the high risk of toxicity restrict their use.
Benzodiazepines can be used to treat panic attacks and anxiety in the short-term in the meantime, while waiting for SSRIs and SNRIs. These medications can trigger addiction tolerance, sedation, and tolerance, as well as withdrawal symptoms like a depression, anxiety, and delirium. Benzodiazepines can be found in alprazolam, clonazepam, as well as lorazepam.
Therapy is a vital part of any treatment plan for anxiety. It helps you to better know your symptoms and their root causes. Many people discover that medication and therapy both aid in coping. Certain studies have demonstrated that cognitive behavioral therapy is just as effective as medications for anxiety. Talk to your doctor to find out what's right for you.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines create an calming effect, which can reduce anxiety and relax muscles that are tense. They also relieve symptoms of fear-related bodily stimulation (like heart rate, trembling or trembling), and promote sleep.
They work by binding to inhibitory neurons, such as GABA or gamma aminobutryic acids and bind to receptors in the central nervous system. They enhance the effects of GABA by activating its inhibitory effect on other neurotransmitters while reducing the number of messages sent to the amygdala, which is the brain's region which detects threats and gives the feeling of fear.
These medications can be utilized for short durations like when you experience a panic attack or if you are experiencing extreme anxiety. They may relieve symptoms within 30 to 60 minutes. Benzodiazepines are, in contrast to SSRIs do not stay in the body for long. They are fast-acting and often perform in just a few hours, which makes them ideal for situations where you require quick relief (like on a plane flight or prior to giving an event in public).
They are addictive, and people are generally only prescribed them for up to 4 weeks at one time. After that period, they also cease to be effective.
One of the reasons why benzodiazepines are so well-known is that they are safe and have fewer negative effects compared to predecessors, such as barbiturates or meprobamate. They are safe and have a rapid onset, and can be used as anxiolytics in order to reduce anxiety. They can also be used as sedatives, anticonvulsants, and muscle relaxants.
Benzos are often blamed for the negative perceptions of anxiety that emerged in the 1970s and 1980s, including the stigmatization of anxiety and the perception that benzodiazepine treatment leads to physical dependence. Despite this they play a significant role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, particularly in combination with psychosocial interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy.
Benzos may interact with other medications, causing undesirable side effects such as drowsiness and confusion. It is recommended to inform your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription or herbal medicines you currently take or plan to take. You can find out which medications are safe to take along with benzodiazepines by checking the British National Formulary A-Z list of medication interactions.
Antidepressants
Antidepressants can be effective in treating anxiety and other mental disorders. 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). meds that treat anxiety has approved many antidepressants for other health ailments, too, such as eating disorders, certain types of pain and bipolar disorder.
SSRIs are usually prescribed as a first-line treatment of anxiety by doctors, but they might not work for all people. If they fail doctors might look at the more traditional antidepressant, known as a tricyclic or tetracyclic antidepressant. These include amitriptyline and nortriptyline and clomipramine. They're less popular than the newer antidepressants, but still readily available. Your doctor may prescribe the antidepressant with a sedating effect, trazodone (Desyrel) in lower doses for anxiety or sleep.
Other antidepressants that may help are nefazodone (Ferdinand) and duloxetine (Cymbalta). These drugs are also available in generic forms. If they don't work, your doctor can try the sedating antidepressant mirtazapine (Remeron) or the antipsychotics quetiapine or olanzapine.
Beta blockers are used to treat anxiety disorders. They lower heart rate and blood pressure by blocking adrenaline. These drugs aren't usually used to treat anxiety by themselves, but can be helpful when paired with psychological therapy.
Psychotherapy can help you change negative thoughts and behavior that cause anxiety. It can help you learn to control your anxiety, and develop coping skills. Based on the severity of your situation exposure therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy might be recommended. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps you to confront negative and fearful thoughts and overcome your fear of situations which trigger anxiety. Exposure therapy involves gradually increasing the intensity of anxiety-inducing situations until you can cope with them. It can be done either individually or in small groups. In both instances, the results can take a while to show. A combination of medications and psychological therapy is the best option for certain people. Some people find that medication alone is enough to control symptoms. Inform your doctor about how you manage your symptoms.
Other Medicines
Although benzodiazepines and antidepressants are the most frequently prescribed treatment for anxiety, other medications can help ease your symptoms too. Beta blockers, antihistamines, and buspirone are all sometimes prescribed to alleviate anxiety.
These medications can help ease your symptoms, by reducing or blocking the signals that trigger stress and fear. They're not a panacea. You'll still need to do other things to manage your anxiety, like exercises as well as relaxation techniques and psychotherapy.
Your doctor could initially prescribe one of the "first first" anxiety medications, which include SSRIs and SNRIs. They are the most effective medicines to treat anxiety disorders, according to research studies. SSRIs are typically found in sertraline (Zoloft) as well as the fluoxetine, citalopram and escitalopram. These drugs can cause minor side effects, such as nausea and insomnia, but these usually subside in 4-8 weeks. They aren't addictive and they don't increase the risk of suicidal thoughts.
The benzodiazepines alprazolam (Xanax), Clonazepam (Klonopin) and diazepoxide (Valium) offer immediate relief from panic attacks and anxiety however they can also cause negative effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, memory and coordination issues, as well as dependence. They're a less popular choice over the more traditional barbiturates but are just as effective.
Antihistamines, like Vistaril (hydroxyzine) are developed to relieve allergies, but they're also sometimes used to ease anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine may have a relaxing affect by blocking histamine receptors. It is not a controlled drug and therefore does not have the same risks of addiction as benzodiazepines.
Another type of medication that may help with anxiety is a group of medications called anticonvulsants. They've been shown to relieve anxiety by affecting the production and release of dopamine and serotonin. These medications may be prescribed as a part of a combination therapy or to treat anxiety in the short-term. Your doctor will examine your medical history and symptoms to determine if these medications are suitable for you. They'll also discuss how long you should be taking them and any possible adverse effects. Anxiety medication is only available on prescription, and you'll need a psychiatrist to prescribe it.