Treat Anxiety 101 Your Ultimate Guide For Beginners
Meds That Treat Anxiety
Anxiety is among the most frequent mental health problems which affects more than 40 million people in the United States. It's highly treatable, with many types of medications available.
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. They aren't addictive, unlike benzodiazepines.
SSRIs
The most common anxiety medications are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro) and fluoxetine (Prozac). These medications also treat depression, and they can alleviate symptoms associated with other anxiety disorders, like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It could take up to a month before they begin working.
These drugs increase the amount of certain chemical messengers within the brain, such as serotonin and norepinephrine. They're typically the first treatment option for anxiety, though doctors may also prescribe other kinds of antidepressants and benzodiazepines.
Antidepressants like duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine, (Effexor) are also used to treat anxiety. They differ from SSRIs because they decrease norepinephrine, but at a lower rate than SSRIs. These medications can take a while to start taking effects, and also are more expensive than SSRIs.
Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) such as imipramine (Tofranil), are effective in treating certain anxiety disorders, including GAD. Their drowsiness, along with other side effects, make them less popular. Another form of antidepressant is monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are also able to be used to treat anxiety. Their high toxicity risk and dietary restrictions make them unsuitable for use.
Benzodiazepines can be used to treat anxiety and panic attacks in the short-term while waiting for SSRIs and SNRIs. These medications can cause tolerance, sedation and addiction as well as withdrawal reactions that may cause anxiety, depression and even delirium. Common benzodiazepines include alprazolam (Xanax), Clonazepam (Klonopin) and lorazepam (Ativan).
Therapy is a crucial component of an anxiety treatment plan, as it helps you understand your symptoms and their reasons. Many people find that both therapy and medication help them manage their anxiety. Certain studies have proven that cognitive behavioral therapy can be just as effective as medications for anxiety. Speak to your doctor to determine what is the best option for you.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines have a calming effect, reduce anxiety and relax muscles that are tense. They also ease symptoms of fear-related bodily arousal (like heart rate, trembling and shaking) and promote sleep.
The way they work is through binding to inhibitory neurotransmitters like gamma-aminobutryic acids or GABA which is a receptor in the central nervous system. They enhance the effects of GABA by activating its inhibitory effect on other neurotransmitters, and reducing the number of messages that are transmitted to the amygdala, an area of the brain that assesses threats and produces the sensation of fear.
These medicines are often taken for short durations like an attack of panic or a severe anxiety episodes. They can relieve symptoms within 30 to 60 minutes. Benzodiazepines, unlike SSRIs aren't able to remain in the body for long. They're fast-acting and usually take effect in just a couple of hours, which makes them ideal for situations in which immediate relief is required (like during a flight or before an event in public).
They can be addictive, so people are generally only prescribed them for up to four weeks at one time. They also lose effectiveness after a certain period of time.
One of the main reasons benzodiazepines became so popular is they were efficient and had a few adverse effects, when compared to their predecessors like barbiturates or meprobamate. They are effective and have a rapid start, and can be employed as anxiolytics to decrease anxiety. They can also be employed as sedatives, anticonvulsants and muscle relaxants.
Benzos were blamed for the negative attitudes towards anxiety that developed during the 1970s and 80s, including the minimization of the disorder, and the belief that benzodiazepine treatment result in physical dependence. However, they continue to play a significant role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, specifically when used in conjunction with psychosocial interventions like cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy.
Benzos can interact with other medications, causing undesirable side effects, like drowsiness or confusion. It is important to inform your doctor know about any other prescription, non-prescription, or herbal medicines you are contemplating or are taking. You can find out which medications are safe to use with benzodiazepines by looking up the British National Formulary A-Z list of drug interactions.
Antidepressants
Antidepressants can help ease anxiety and other mental health conditions. 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). The FDA has approved antidepressants for other health conditions, such as eating disorders, bipolar disorder and certain kinds of pain.
Most doctors prescribe SSRIs as the first line treatment for anxiety, however these medications may not be appropriate for everyone. If the antidepressants do not work doctors may suggest an older version known as a tetracyclic or tricyclic antidepressant. This includes amitriptyline, nortriptyline, clomipramine, trimipramine, dothiepin, doxepin or imipramine. They're less common than newer antidepressants, but still accessible. You may also ask your doctor to prescribe the sedating antidepressant, trazodone(Desyrel) in lower doses in case you are experiencing anxiety or sleep problems.
Other antidepressants that can help are Nefazodone (Ferdinand) and duloxetine (Cymbalta). They're also available in generic forms. If they do not work, your doctor might suggest a tranquilizing antidepressant mirtazapine (Remeron) or the antipsychotics quetiapine and olanzapine.
Beta blockers are used to treat anxiety disorders. They lower heart rate and blood pressure by blocking adrenaline. These medications are not typically used to treat anxiety alone, but they can be effective if coupled with psychotherapy.
Psychotherapy can help you change negative thoughts and behavior that contribute towards your anxiety. It can help you manage your anxiety and develop strategies for coping. Based on your specific health condition, you could receive cognitive behavioural therapy or exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy teaches you to challenge negative and fearful thoughts and overcome your avoidance of situations which trigger anxiety. Exposure therapy involves increasing the level of anxiety-inducing situations until they become manageable. It can be done either individually or in a small group. In both instances, the results can take a while to show. A combination of medication and psychological therapy is the best option for some people. However, others discover that medications alone are sufficient to treat their symptoms. It's crucial to tell your doctor what you're doing to manage your symptoms.
Other Medicines
While benzodiazepines and antidepressants are the most common medications to treat anxiety, other medications can ease your symptoms too. Antihistamines and beta blockers are often prescribed to alleviate anxiety.
These medications correct an imbalance in your brain's chemical balance and can help ease your symptoms by lowering or blocking signals that can cause stress and fear. However, they'ren't the only solution. You will still require a variety of methods to manage anxiety, like exercises as well as relaxation techniques, and psychological therapy.
SSRIs or SNRIs are the first choice of anxiety medication that your doctor might prescribe. According to studies, these medications are the most effective in treating anxiety disorders. The most common SSRIs include sertraline (Zoloft), the fluoxetine (Prozac) and citalopram (Celexa), and escitalopram (Lexapro). These medications can cause mild side effects like nausea and insomnia, but they usually disappear within 4-8 weeks. Unlike the benzodiazepines, they're not addictive and won't increase your risk for suicidal thoughts.
The benzodiazepines alprazolam (Xanax) as well as Clonazepam (Klonopin), and diazepoxide (Valium) provide immediate relief for anxiety and panic attacks however they can also cause adverse effects, such as drowsiness, dizziness, memory and coordination issues, and dependence. They're a less popular choice than the barbiturates of the past, however, they're equally effective.
Antihistamines, such as Vistaril (hydroxyzine) were initially developed to relieve allergies. However they also serve to reduce anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine can have a calming affect by blocking histamine receptors. It is not a controlled substance, so it does not carry the same risks of addiction as benzodiazepines.
Anticonvulsants are another kind of medication that can be used to treat anxiety. They have been shown to reduce anxiety by interfering in the production and release of dopamine and sérotonin. They may be prescribed in combination with other drugs or as a temporary treatment for anxiety. Your doctor will review your health history and symptoms to determine if these drugs are appropriate for you. treatment anxiety will also discuss the duration of time you'll need to take these medications as well as any possible side effects that may occur. Anxiety medications are only available on prescription, which means you'll have to see a psychiatrist before you can get them.