Why Treat Anxiety Is Right For You?
Meds That Treat Anxiety
Anxiety affects 40 million adults 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 popular anxiety medication is selective serotonin reuptake inhibits (SSRIs) comprising citalopram, escitalopram, and fluoxetine. These medications can also be used to treat depression and relieve symptoms of anxiety disorders like obsessive compulsive disorder. They may take up to a month before they start working.
They work by increasing the amount of certain chemical transmitters in the brain. This includes serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. They're usually 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 are a bit different from SSRIs since they reduce norepinephrine, however at a lower rate than SSRIs. These medications take a long time to take effect and are more expensive than SSRIs.
Tricyclic antidepressants, like imipramine Tofranil, can be effective in treating anxiety disorders. However their drowsiness as well as other adverse effects make them less well-known. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are another kind of antidepressant that can be used to treat anxiety. Their high toxicity risk and dietary restrictions limit their use.
Benzodiazepines are often used to treat anxiety and panic attacks in the short-term for instance, when waiting for SSRIs or SNRIs to take effect. These medications can trigger dependence tolerance, sedation, and tolerance and withdrawal symptoms like a rebound anxiety, depression, and delirium. Benzodiazepines can be found in alprazolam as well as clonazepam and lorazepam.
Therapy is an important part of a treatment plan for anxiety, as it helps you discover more about the symptoms and their causes. Many people discover that both therapy and medication can help them cope with anxiety. In fact, some studies suggest that cognitive therapy works just as well as anxiety medications. Talk with your physician about your options and which could be the best choice for you.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines have a calming affect they reduce anxiety and relax muscles that are tense. They also ease symptoms of fear-related bodily stimulation (like heart rate or trembling) and encourage sleep.
The way they function is by binding to inhibitory neurotransmitters, like gamma-aminobutryic acid, or GABA, at 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 that are transmitted to the amygdala, a region of the brain that assesses threats and produces the sensation of fear.
These medicines are often used for short periods for instance, during a panic attack or severe anxiety episode. They may relieve symptoms within 30 to 60 minutes. Benzodiazepines are, in contrast to SSRIs don't stay in the body long. They're fast-acting and can work within a few hours. This makes them ideal for situations in which immediate relief is needed (such for instance, during an airplane ride or before giving a presentation in public).
Because they can be addictive, people are usually prescribed for up to four weeks at a time. They also lose effectiveness after a certain period of time.
One of the reasons why benzodiazepines became so popular is that they were effective and had minimal side effects when compared to their predecessors, like meprobamate or barbiturates. They are safe 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 are often blamed for the negative attitudes towards anxiety that developed in the 1970s and 1980s. This included the stigmatization of anxiety and the belief that benzodiazepine treatment can lead to physical dependence. However, they continue to play a crucial role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, specifically in conjunction with psychosocial interventions like cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy.
Benzos can interact with other drugs and cause undesirable side-effects like drowsiness or confusion. You should tell your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription or herbal medicines you currently use or plan to take. You can find out which medications are safe to take with benzodiazepines through the British National Formulary A-Z list of drug interactions.
Antidepressants
Antidepressants can be effective in treating anxiety and mental illnesses. 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 many antidepressants to treat other conditions as well, including eating disorders, some types of pain and bipolar disorder.
SSRIs are often prescribed as a first-line treatment of anxiety by doctors, however they may not work for everyone. If they fail doctors might look at the more traditional antidepressant known as tricyclic or tetracyclic antidepressants. These include amitriptyline or nortriptyline and Clomipramine. They're less common than newer antidepressants, yet they're still available. Your doctor can prescribe the sedating antidepressant trazodone (Desyrel) in lower doses for anxiety or sleep.
Nefazodone, a.k.a Ferdinand (Cymbalta), and duloxetine are also beneficial. These medications are also available in generic form. If they don't work, your doctor may suggest the antidepressant that is sedating, mirtazapine (Remeron) or the antipsychotics quetiapine and olanzapine.
pills to treat anxiety for other anxiety disorders include beta blockers, which reduce the blood pressure and heart rate by blocking the actions of adrenaline. These drugs are not usually used to treat anxiety by themselves however they can be effective when combined with psychotherapy.
Psychological therapy can help you change negative thoughts and behaviors that can cause anxiety. It can help you manage your anxiety and develop strategies for coping. Depending on the severity of your problem exposure therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy may be recommended. Cognitive behavioural therapy can help you overcome negative, fearful thoughts and overcome the fear of situations that cause anxiety. Exposure therapy involves increasing the intensity of anxiety-inducing situations until they are manageable. It can be performed in a group or on your own. In both cases it takes time to achieve results. A combination of medication and psychotherapy therapy is the best option for some individuals. Some people find that taking medication alone is enough to control symptoms. Tell your doctor how you manage your symptoms.
Other Medicines
Although benzodiazepines and antidepressants are the most common treatment for anxiety, other drugs can help alleviate your symptoms as well. Beta blockers, antihistamines and buspirone are all prescribed to alleviate anxiety.
These medications can help reduce your symptoms, by reducing or blocking the signals that trigger stress and fear. But, they're not an all-in-one solution. You'll still have to do other things to control anxiety, such as exercises as well as relaxation techniques and psychological therapy.
SSRIs or SNRIs are your first choice of anxiety medication that your doctor may prescribe. According to research, these drugs are the most effective for treating anxiety disorders. SSRIs are usually found in sertraline (Zoloft) and the fluoxetine, citalopram and escitalopram. These medications can cause minor side effects, such as insomnia and nausea, however these usually subside in 4-8 weeks. They are not addictive, and they do not increase the risk of suicidal thoughts.
The benzodiazepines, alprazolam, diazepoxide, and clonazepam (Valium) offer immediate relief from anxiety and panic attacks. However, they may cause adverse effects, including drowsiness and dizziness. They may also cause memory and coordination issues, and even dependence. They're not as popular over the more traditional barbiturates but are just as efficient.
Antihistamines such as Vistaril (hydroxyzine) were originally created to treat allergies. However, they are also used to ease anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine block histamine receptors within the brain and can cause a calming effect. It is not a controlled drug, so it doesn't have the same risk of addiction as benzodiazepines.
Another type of medication that can aid with anxiety is a class of medications known as anticonvulsants. They have been shown to ease anxiety by interfering with the production and release of dopamine and serotonin. These medications can be prescribed as part of an integrated therapy or to treat anxiety in the short-term. Your doctor will assess your symptoms and health history to determine whether these medications are appropriate for you. They'll also discuss the length of time you should take them for and any potential adverse effects. Anxiety medication is only available on prescription, which means that it is necessary to see a psychiatrist to prescribe it.