Meds That Treat Anxiety

Anxiety is among the most common mental health issues which affects more than 40 million people in the United States. A variety 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 commonly used anxiety medication is selective serotonin inhibits (SSRIs), including citalopram, escitalopram, and fluoxetine. These medications also treat depression, and they can ease symptoms associated with other anxiety disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). They may take up to a month for them to begin working.

These drugs increase the levels of certain chemical messengers within the brain, such as serotonin and norepinephrine. They're typically the first treatment resistant anxiety (Www.alonegocio.net.br) option for anxiety, but doctors may also prescribe other kinds of antidepressants and benzodiazepines.

Antidepressants, such as duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine, (Effexor) are also used to treat anxiety. They function a bit differently from SSRIs in that they reduce the reabsorption rate of norepinephrine and serotonin, although at lower levels than SSRIs. They can take a while to begin taking effects, and they tend to be more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) like imipramine (Tofranil), can be effective in treating some anxiety disorders, particularly GAD. Their drowsiness, and other side effects make them less popular. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are a different kind of antidepressant used to treat anxiety. Their high risk of toxicity and the restriction on dietary intake limit their use.

Benzodiazepines can be used treat anxiety and panic attacks in the short-term while waiting for SSRIs and SNRIs. These medications can cause tolerance addiction, sedation as well as withdrawal reactions that may cause depression, anxiety, and even delusions. Common benzodiazepines include alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin) and lorazepam (Ativan).

Therapy is an essential part of any treatment plan for anxiety. It assists you to better understand your symptoms and their reasons. Many people discover that medication and therapy help them to cope. Some studies suggest that cognitive behavior therapy is just as effective as medication for anxiety. Talk with your physician about your options and what could be the best choice for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines can have a calming effect, reduce anxiety and relax muscles that are tight. They also ease symptoms of fear-related bodily stimulation (like heart racing or trembling) and help promote sleep.

They function by binding to inhibitory neurons, like GABA or gamma aminobutryic acid and bind to receptors in the central nervous system. They increase the effects of GABA by facilitating 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 employed for short periods of time, such as during a panic attack or severe anxiety attack. They can relieve symptoms within 30 to 60 minutes. In contrast to SSRIs, benzodiazepines don't remain in the body for long. They're quick-acting and can be effective in a matter of hours. This makes them perfect for situations when immediate relief is needed (such as on an airplane or before giving a presentation in public).

They are addictive, which is why it is recommended to only prescribe them for a maximum of 4 weeks at each time. They also lose effectiveness after a certain period of time.

One of the main reasons why benzodiazepines are so popular is that they are effective and have few side effects compared to their predecessors like barbiturates and meprobamate. 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 perceptions of anxiety that developed in the 1970s and 1980s, including the trivialization of the disorder and the perception that benzodiazepine treatment can lead to physical dependence. However, they continue to play a crucial role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, particularly in combination with psychosocial interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy.

Benzos can interact with other drugs and cause unwanted side-effects, like drowsiness or confusion. It is essential to inform your doctor know about any other prescription, non-prescription or herbal medication you are taking or thinking about 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 can help ease anxiety and other mental health problems. 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 treatment anxiety disorder (GAD). The FDA has approved several antidepressants for other health conditions as well, including eating disorders, certain types of pain, and bipolar disorder.

Most doctors prescribe SSRIs as a first-line treatment for anxiety, but these drugs may not be suitable for all people. If the antidepressants do not work the doctor might suggest an older form of medication known as a tetracyclic or tricyclic antidepressant. This includes amitriptyline, nortriptyline, clomipramine and trimipramine, dothiepin, doxepin or imipramine. These antidepressants are not as popular but they are still accessible. Your doctor may prescribe the antidepressant that sedates, trazodone (Desyrel) at lower doses to treat anxiety or insomnia.

Other antidepressants that could help include nefazodone (Ferdinand) and duloxetine (Cymbalta). These medications are also available in generic form. If they don't help your doctor, he may suggest the antipsychotics quetiapine and Olanzapine or the sedating antidepressant Mirtazapine.

Beta blockers are used to treat other anxiety disorders. They lower blood pressure and heart rate by blocking adrenaline. These drugs are not usually used to treat anxiety alone, but they can be effective if used in conjunction with psychotherapy.

Psychotherapy can help you change negative thoughts and behaviors that cause anxiety. It can teach you to control your anxiety and learn how to cope. Based on the severity of your problem, exposure therapy or cognitive behavior therapy may be recommended. Cognitive behavioural therapy can help you overcome negative thoughts, fearful thoughts and to overcome avoidance of situations that trigger your anxiety. Exposure therapy is the process of increasing the anxiety-inducing situations until they can be managed. This can be done in a single session or in smaller groups. In both cases, it takes time to demonstrate results. Some people find that the combination of medication and psychotherapy is the best choice. Some people find that medication alone is sufficient to treat symptoms. It is important to inform your doctor about the things you're doing to manage your symptoms.

Other Medications

While benzodiazepines and antidepressants are the most commonly prescribed medications to treat anxiety, other drugs can ease your symptoms too. Beta blockers, antihistamines and buspirone are all prescribed to reduce anxiety.

These medications can help ease your symptoms, by reducing or blocking the signals that cause stress and fear. They are not a panacea. You'll still need to do other things to reduce your anxiety, including physical exercise, relaxation techniques, and psychotherapy.

SSRIs or SNRIs are your first choice of anxiety medication that your doctor can prescribe. According to research, these medications are the most effective for treating anxiety disorders. Common SSRIs include sertraline (Zoloft) and the fluoxetine (Prozac) and Citropram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro). These medications may have mild side effects, such as nausea or insomnia, but they usually subside within 4-8 weeks. In contrast to benzodiazepines, these are not addictive and don't increase your risk for suicidal thoughts.

The benzodiazepines, alprazolam, diazepoxide and clonazepam (Valium) are a quick relief from panic and anxiety attacks. However, they could cause side effects, such as drowsiness and dizziness. They may also cause problems with coordination and memory, and even dependence. These drugs are less popular than the older barbiturates, but they are equally effective.

Antihistamines, such as Vistaril (hydroxyzine) are designed to help with allergies however, they're also used to ease anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine blocks the histamine receptors in the brain and can cause the body to relax. It's not a controlled drug and therefore doesn't carry the same addiction risks as benzodiazepines.

Another kind of medication to treat anxiety and depression that can help with anxiety is a class called anticonvulsants, which have been shown to relieve anxiety by interfering with the release and production of dopamine and serotonin. They might be prescribed in combination with other medications or as a short-term treatment for anxiety. Your doctor will assess your health history and symptoms to determine if these drugs are appropriate for you. They'll also discuss the length of time you should take them for and any potential adverse effects. Anxiety medications are only available on prescription, so it is necessary to see a psychiatrist to prescribe it.