meds to treat anxiety That Treat Anxiety (M1Bar.Com)

Anxiety is among the most common mental health conditions which affects more than 40 million people in the United States. It's extremely treatable with various types of medication 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. In contrast to benzodiazepines, they're addictive.

SSRIs

The most commonly used anxiety medication is selective serotonin inhibits (SSRIs), including citalopram, escitalopram, and fluoxetine. These drugs are also used to treat depression and alleviate symptoms of anxiety disorders, such as obsessive compulsive disorder. It could take up to a month for them to start working.

These medications are effective by increasing the quantity of certain chemical transmitters within the brain. This includes serotonin, norepinephrine and meds that treat anxiety dopamine. These medications are typically the first choice for treating anxiety, but doctors can also prescribe other types of antidepressants, also known as benzodiazepines.

Another class of antidepressants, known as serotonin and norepinephrine receptor inhibitors (SNRIs) such as duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor), are also used to treat anxiety. They work a little differently from SSRIs in that they reduce the reabsorption of norepinephrine as well as serotonin, although at lower levels than SSRIs. These medicines take a long time to be effective and are more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants, such as imipramine Tofranil, can be effective in treating anxiety disorders. Their drowsiness, and other adverse effects, make them less popular. Another kind of antidepressant, monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs), can also be used to combat anxiety. They are a high risk of toxicity and the restriction on dietary intake restrict their use.

Benzodiazepines can be used to combat panic attacks and anxiety in the short-term in the meantime, while waiting for SSRIs and SNRIs. These drugs can lead to dependence to tolerance, sedation, and dependence and withdrawal symptoms such as a rebound anxiety, depression, and delirium. Benzodiazepines are commonly found in alprazolam, clonazepam, and lorazepam.

Therapy is a crucial component of any treatment plan for anxiety. It helps you to better understand your symptoms and their root causes. Many people find that medication and therapy both help them cope. In fact, some studies suggest that cognitive therapy is just as effective as medication for anxiety. Consult your physician to find out what's best for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines can have a calming effect, reduce anxiety and relax muscles that are tense. They also reduce symptoms of bodily arousal due to fear (like heart racing and trembling) and help promote sleep.

The way they function is by binding to inhibitory neurotransmitters, like gamma-aminobutryic acid, or GABA and interacting with receptors in the central nervous system. They enhance the effects of GABA by facilitating its inhibitory effect on other neurotransmitters, and reducing the amount of messages that are that are transmitted to the amygdala, a region of the brain that assesses threats and produces the sensation of fear.

These medications are sometimes used for short periods for instance, during an attack of panic or a severe anxiety episode. They may ease the symptoms within 30 to 90 minutes of taking them. Benzodiazepines, unlike SSRIs don't stay in the body long. They're quick-acting and can work within a couple of hours. This makes them ideal for situations in which immediate relief is needed (such as during an airplane ride or before a presentation in public).

As they can be addictive, people are usually only prescribed them up to four weeks at a go. They also lose effectiveness after that time.

One of the reasons benzodiazepines were so popular was that they were effective and had minimal side effects, when compared to their predecessors like barbiturates or meprobamate. They have a rapid time to begin their action and are very effective as anxiolytics (anti-anxiety) as well as sedatives and anticonvulsants and as muscle relaxants.

Benzos were blamed for the negative attitudes towards anxiety that were developed in the 1970s and 1980s and included the denial of the disorder, and the belief that benzodiazepine treatment result in physical dependence. Despite this, they continue to play a significant role in the treatment anxiety of anxiety disorders, especially in conjunction with psychosocial interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy.

Benzos can interact with other medications and trigger unwanted side effects, such as drowsiness, confusion or drowsiness. You should tell your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription, or herbal medication you currently take or plan to take. Take a look at the British National Formulary A to Z list of medication interactions to determine which medicines are safe to take with benzodiazepines.

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 eating disorders, bipolar disorder and certain kinds of pain.

SSRIs are often prescribed as a first-line treatment for anxiety by doctors, but they might not be effective for all people. If these antidepressants don't work, the doctor may try an older type known as a tetracyclic, or tricyclic antidepressant. These include amitriptyline and nortriptyline, as well as clomipramine. They're not as popular as the latest antidepressants, yet they're still accessible. You can ask your doctor to prescribe the sedating antidepressant trazodone(Desyrel), at lower doses in case you are having sleep problems or anxiety.

Other antidepressants that may aid are Nefazodone (Ferdinand) and duloxetine (Cymbalta). They're also available in generic form. If they don't help, your doctor may try the antipsychotics quetiapine and Olanzapine or the sedative antidepressant Mirtazapine.

Beta blockers are used to treat other anxiety disorders. They lower blood pressure and heart rate by blocking adrenaline. These medications aren't typically used to treat anxiety alone however they can be effective when combined with psychotherapy.

Psychological therapy can help you overcome negative thoughts and behavior patterns that contribute to your anxiety. It will help you learn to control your anxiety, and develop coping strategies. Based on the severity of your problem exposure therapy or cognitive behavior therapy might be recommended. Cognitive behavioural therapy can help you overcome negative, fearful thoughts and overcome avoidance of situations that trigger your anxiety. Exposure therapy involves increasing the anxiety-inducing situations until they can be managed. It can be done either individually or in small groups. In both cases, it takes time to show results. A combination of medications and psychological therapy is the best option for some people. However, others discover that medications alone are sufficient to control their symptoms. Inform your doctor about how you manage your symptoms.

Other Medical Treatments

Other drugs can also help alleviate your symptoms. Beta blockers and antihistamines are often prescribed to ease anxiety.

These drugs can help you alleviate your symptoms by reducing or blocking signals that cause stress and fear. But, they're not the only solution. You'll still require a variety of methods to control anxiety, such as physical exercise relaxation techniques, relaxation techniques and psychotherapy.

Your doctor might initially prescribe one of the "first first" anxiety medications, which include SSRIs and SNRIs. They are the most effective medications for treating anxiety disorders, according to research studies. SSRIs are typically found in sertraline (Zoloft), the fluoxetine, citalopram and escitalopram. These medications may cause minor side effects, such as insomnia and nausea, however these tend to subside within 4-8 weeks. In contrast to benzodiazepines, these are not addictive and do not increase your risk for suicidal thoughts.

The benzodiazepines alprazolam (Xanax) as well as Clonazepam (Klonopin) and diazepoxide (Valium) provide immediate relief for panic attacks and anxiety however they can also cause side effects, including dizziness, drowsiness and coordination issues, and dependence. These drugs are less popular than the older barbiturates, but they are equally effective.

Antihistamines, such as Vistaril (hydroxyzine) were initially created to treat allergies. However, they are also used to ease anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine blocks histamine receptors in the brain, and can trigger a calming effect. It is not a controlled drug and does not carry the same risks of addiction as benzodiazepines.

Anticonvulsants are another type of medication which can be used to treat anxiety. They have been shown to decrease anxiety by interfering in the production and release of dopamine and sérotonin. They can be prescribed in combination with other medicines or as a short-term treatment for anxiety. Your doctor will evaluate your health history and symptoms to determine if these medications are right for you. They'll also discuss how long you should take them for and any possible adverse effects. Anxiety medications are only available through prescription, so you'll need a psychiatrist to prescribe it.