What Is The Reason? Treat Anxiety Is Fast Becoming The Most Popular Trend In 2023?
Meds That Treat Anxiety
Anxiety affects 40 million people in the United States. Many types of medications are 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. Unlike benzodiazepines, they're not addictive.
SSRIs
The most popular anxiety medication is selective serotonin inhibits (SSRIs) which include citalopram, escitalopram, and fluoxetine. These drugs also treat depression and can ease symptoms associated with other anxiety disorders, like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It could take up to a month before they start working.
These drugs are effective by increasing the quantity of certain chemical transmitters within the brain. This includes serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. They are usually the first option for anxiety, but doctors also employ other kinds of antidepressants and benzodiazepines.
Antidepressants like duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine, (Effexor) are also used for anxiety. They differ from SSRIs as they reduce norepinephrine but at a lower degree than SSRIs. They may take a few days to begin taking effects, and they tend to be more expensive than SSRIs.
Tricyclic antidepressants like imipramine Tofranil can be effective for treating anxiety disorders. However their drowsiness and other adverse reactions make them less popular. Monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs) are another type of antidepressant used to combat anxiety. Iampsychiatry are a high risk of toxicity and the restriction on dietary intake limit their use.
Benzodiazepines can be used to treat anxiety and panic attacks in the short-term, while waiting for SSRIs and SNRIs. These drugs can lead to addiction, tolerance, and sedation, as well as withdrawal symptoms like a rebound anxiety, depression, and delirium. Benzodiazepines can be found in alprazolam as well as clonazepam and lorazepam.
Therapy is a crucial component of a treatment plan for anxiety as it can help you learn more about your symptoms and their reasons. Many people find that therapy and medication both help them cope. Certain studies have demonstrated that cognitive behavioral therapy is just as effective as medications for anxiety. Talk to your doctor to determine what is the best option for you.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines can have a calming effect they reduce anxiety and relax muscles that are tight. They also alleviate symptoms of fear-related bodily stimulation (like heart rate or trembling), and promote sleep.
They work by binding inhibitory neurons, such as GABA or gamma aminobutryic acids, at receptors within the central nervous system. They increase the effects of GABA by increasing its inhibitory effects on other neurotransmitters while reducing the amount of messages that are sent to the amygdala, which is the brain's region that assesses threats and produces the sensation of fear.
These medicines are often taken for short durations, such as during an attack of panic or a severe anxiety attack. They may relieve symptoms within 30 to 60 minutes. Benzodiazepines, unlike SSRIs don't stay in the body long. They are fast acting and can be used within a few hours. This makes them perfect for situations where rapid relief is required (such for instance, on an airplane or prior to presenting in public).
Since they can be addictive, people are usually only prescribed them for a period of up to four weeks at a go. They also lose their effectiveness after a period of time.
One of the reasons why benzodiazepines were so popular was they were efficient and had a few adverse effects, when compared to their predecessors, such as meprobamate or barbiturates. They are effective and have a rapid onset and can be used as anxiolytics to reduce anxiety. They can also be used as sedatives, anticonvulsants and muscle relaxants.
Benzos are often blamed for the negative attitudes toward anxiety that developed in the 1970s and 1980s, including the stigmatization of anxiety and the perception that benzodiazepine treatment leads to physical dependence. However, they continue to play a crucial role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, particularly when used in conjunction with psychosocial interventions like cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy.
Benzos may interact with other medications and trigger unwanted side effects, such as drowsiness and disorientation. It's important to let your doctor be aware of any other prescription, non-prescription or herbal medications you are considering or taking. You can find out which medications are safe to take with benzodiazepines through the British National Formulary A-Z list for medication interactions.
Antidepressants
Antidepressants are 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). The FDA has approved antidepressants to treat other health issues, such as bipolar disorder, eating disorders, and certain types of pain.
SSRIs are often prescribed as a first-line treatment for anxiety by doctors, but they might not work for all people. If they aren't working doctors might look at the more traditional antidepressant, known as tricyclic or tetracyclic antidepressants. This includes amitriptyline, nortriptyline, clomipramine and trimipramine, dothiepin, doxepin or imipramine. They're less popular than the newer antidepressants, but still available. Your doctor may also prescribe the sedating antidepressant trazodone (Desyrel) at lower doses to treat anxiety or insomnia.
Other antidepressants that can aid are Nefazodone (Ferdinand) and duloxetine (Cymbalta). These medications are also available in generic forms. If they don't work, your doctor may suggest the antidepressant that is sedating, mirtazapine (Remeron) or the antipsychotics quetiapine and olanzapine.
Beta blockers are used to treat other anxiety disorders. They reduce heart rate and blood pressure by blocking adrenaline. These drugs aren't commonly used for anxiety alone, but can be helpful when used in conjunction with psychotherapy.
Psychological therapy can help you change negative thoughts and behaviors that cause anxiety. It will help you learn to control your anxiety, and build coping skills. Depending on the severity of your condition, exposure therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy could be suggested. Cognitive behavioural therapy helps you overcome negative, fearful thoughts and overcome the fear of situations that cause anxiety. Exposure therapy involves increasing the intensity of anxiety provoking situations until they are manageable. It can be performed in a group or individually. In both cases, results can take a while to show. A combination of medications and psychological therapy is the best option for some individuals. However, others find that meds alone are sufficient to control their symptoms. Inform your doctor about how you manage your symptoms.
Other Medications
Although benzodiazepines and antidepressants are the most frequently prescribed treatment for anxiety, other drugs can help alleviate your symptoms too. Antihistamines and beta blockers are sometimes prescribed to relieve anxiety.
These drugs correct an imbalance in your brain's chemical balance and can help alleviate symptoms by reducing or blocking the signals that can cause stress and fear. They're not a panacea. You will still have to take steps to control anxiety, like physical exercise, relaxation techniques and psychotherapy.
SSRIs or SNRIs are your first choice of anxiety medications that your doctor may prescribe. According to studies, these medications are the most effective in treating anxiety disorders. SSRIs are typically found in sertraline (Zoloft) and Citropram, fluoxetine, and escitalopram. These medications might have minor side effects, such as insomnia or nausea, however they typically disappear within 4-8 weeks. They are not addictive, and they do not increase the risk of suicidal thoughts.
The benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam, clonazepam, and diazepoxide, (Valium), provide immediate relief from anxiety and panic attacks. However, they can cause adverse effects, including drowsiness and dizziness. They may also cause memory and coordination issues, and even dependence. These are less popular than older barbiturates but are equally effective.
Antihistamines, such as Vistaril (hydroxyzine) were initially created to treat allergies. However, they are also used to reduce anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine blocks the histamine receptors in the brain and may cause the body to relax. It is not a controlled substance and therefore does not have the same addiction risks as benzodiazepines.
Anticonvulsants are an additional type of medication which can help with anxiety. They have been found to decrease anxiety by inhibiting the production of and release of dopamine as well as sérotonin. These medications may be prescribed as a part of a combination therapy or used to treat anxiety in the short term. Your doctor will examine your health history and symptoms to determine if these medicines are appropriate for you. They'll also talk about how long you should be taking them and any possible adverse effects. Anxiety medication is only available on prescription, so you'll need to visit a psychiatrist to get them.