Medications to Treat Anxiety

Therapy is the best way to treat anxiety, but sometimes a short-term course of medication is required. Antidepressants and tranquilizers are two of the medications that can be used Medicine To Treat Anxiety And Depression treat anxiety.

SSRI antidepressants like citalopram, sertraline, and escitalopram are able to reduce anxiety. SNRIs, that target the chemicals norepinephrine and serotonin can also be effective.

SSRIs

SSRIs are often the first prescription medication recommended by doctors to treat anxiety disorders. They block nerve cell serotonin re-absorption in the brain, a substance that is important for mood regulation. It takes a while for the medications to be effective but most people begin feeling better after 4 to 6 weeks. SSRIs are not habit-forming and do not cause addiction, which means they are safe to use for longer durations of time.

Another type of antidepressant, SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), also treats depression and anxiety. These SNRIs include citalopram and escitalopram and fluoxetine (Prozac) and paraxetine (Paxil) and sertraline. Tricyclic antidepressants like imipramine (Tofranil) and doxepine and an anxiety Disorder stimulant are also used to treat depression and anxiety. New antidepressants like mirtazapine (Remeron) are also sometimes used to treat anxiety disorders.

Doctors don't know exactly how SSRIs and SNRIs function however, they know that they increase the activity of certain chemical messengers in the brain, called neurotransmitters. They prevent the brain from absorbing these chemicals and permit them to bind to their receptors.

SSRIs are used to treat generalized anxiety disorder, GAD; obsessive-compulsive disorder, OCD; panic disorder/agoraphobia; and posttraumatic stress disorder, PTSD. They can also help with bulimia, however it is not as common.

Atypical antipsychotic drugs may be prescribed to people with anxiety who aren't responding to SSRIs. Examples include quetiapine (Abilify) and Aripiprazole (Risperdal). These drugs decrease anxiety in people who have obsessive compulsive disorder. They are usually given in conjunction with an antidepressant. They have a lower risk of serious side effects than other types of antipsychotics.

Beta-blockers can also be prescribed to treat anxiety and heart problems. Examples are propranolol (Inderal) and atenolol (Tenormin). They can ease physical symptoms of anxiety in people who suffer from social anxiety disorder. They can help in reducing anxiety, especially prior to or following surgery. Benzodiazepines like lorazepam (Ativan) can be used to manage symptoms when other medications aren't working. Benzodiazepines can be addictive and habit-forming.

SNRIs

SNRIs are a type of antidepressant medication which is commonly prescribed to treat anxiety. They work in a similar way as SSRIs however they also boost the quantity of norepinephrine as well as serotonin. They are therefore more effective in treating specific anxiety disorders like anxiety disorder, social anxiety and panic disorder. These medications work best when used in conjunction with other treatments and talk therapy.

Unlike benzodiazepines SNRIs don't cause dependence or addiction for the majority of people. However, some patients may experience withdrawal when discontinuing the medication after a long time of usage. It is essential to speak with your physician prior to stopping any medication.

Neurotransmitters such as serotonin and norepinephrine are responsible for regulating mood and stress. They play a crucial role in the fight or flight response that many sufferers of anxiety experience. SNRIs stop nerve cells from quickly mopping up these neurotransmitters by blocking the process of reuptake. In this way they help keep these chemicals in the brain longer and as a consequence they are able to boost mood and decrease anxiety levels or aid in reducing symptoms of panic attacks.

Norepinephrine is also important in anxiety due to its ability to activate the amygdala which is a nebulous and primordial part of the brain that is linked with fear-related behaviors. The SNRIs have been proven to decrease activity in this region of the brain, which may positively impact anxiety and mood and help to ease anxiety attacks.

Although these drugs can be extremely beneficial, it is important to note that they carry a risk of increased suicidal thoughts for some people. Because of this, they are typically prescribed at higher doses and for a short period of time. These medications can also interact with other medications and substances. It is important to inform your doctor if you are taking any other prescriptions or over the prescription medication. Also be sure to inform them of any existing conditions, such as heart problems and bleeding issues. Also, be aware that certain patients have reported adverse reactions to SNRIs including dry mouth and nausea.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines -- or benzos commonly referred to as are fast-acting drugs that can help ease anxiety and anxiety-related symptoms, like insomnia and muscle tension. Certain people suffering from anxiety disorders such as social anxiety or panic disorder might find them beneficial, especially if they have not been able to respond medicine to treat anxiety and depression other treatments such as SSRIs and psychotherapy. They're also helpful as a short-term solution, like while you are waiting for an antidepressant to begin working. Medications such as diazepam (Valium) and lorazepam (Ativan) are the most commonly used benzos, although other benzos include clonazepam (Rivotril) as well as temazepam (Restoril) and flurazepam (Dalmane).

They usually start working within 30 minutes due to the fact that they are quick-acting. They don't remain in the body for long, so they must be consumed regularly to get the full benefits. Benzos should not be used for prolonged periods of time as they can cause physical dependence and addiction. Benzos should not be used by those suffering from anxiety or depression disorders since they can increase the risk.

Benzo users who take them for long periods of time, without medical supervision and often without the advice of a doctor, could develop a condition known as sedative-use disorders, which includes withdrawal symptoms and addiction. It is rare for people who take benzos as prescribed to develop this problem, however. Benzo addiction usually arises from other causes like alcoholism or depression.

Tolerence to benzodiazepines could develop if they are taken for a long time. Tolerance means that you require more medication in order to achieve the same results. In some cases, this can lead to respiratory depression, coma, and death. It is essential to take benzodiazepines according to the prescription and on a regular basis.

Other Medications

SSRIs and SNRIs are the primary medications doctors will typically prescribe for anxiety. They affect serotonin which is responsible for mood, sleep, appetite and appetite. They can take as long as 12 weeks to begin working and may cause adverse effects, such as insomnia or nausea. SSRIs are also used to treat mental disorders like panic disorder, natural treatment depression anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder. Antidepressants, unlike benzodiazepines, do not cause physical dependence. However, they could cause withdrawal symptoms if they are abruptly stopped.

Sertraline (Zoloft), Prozac (Prozac) Prozac (Zoloft), and Celexa (Citalopram) are all medications in this class. They can be taken as a stand-alone treatment for panic and anxiety attacks or in combination with therapy. Antidepressants can be prescribed by a psychologist, psychiatrist or family physician with specialized training in medication management.

Doctors may prescribe a particular class of antidepressants referred to as monoamine oxidase inhibitors or MAOIs. These drugs inhibit the action of certain enzymes that break down chemicals like serotonin and norepinephrine, and dopamine. MAOIs can take up to four weeks to begin working, but they are not as quick-acting as SSRIs.

Clonidine is another medication that can be used to control anxiety. It is typically used to treat anxiety, but it is also used to control blood pressure. Its effectiveness is limited because of side effects like hypotension and sedation. Antihistamines such as hydroxyzine can be prescribed by medical professionals to help reduce anxiety and panic attacks. They can also reduce the effectiveness of benzodiazepines in some patients.

Anxiety is typically treated by using medication, psychotherapy and exercise. The most effective method is to work with an expert therapist who is skilled in treating anxiety disorders. They can help you determine the underlying causes for your anxiety and suggest strategies to manage it without medication if required. Other options for treating anxiety that do not involve medication include eye movement desensitization mindfulness meditation, and yoga that is trauma-informed. Talk to your therapist to determine the best option for you. Psychologists are trained to assess your medical history and symptoms and develop an anxiety treatment for anxiety near me plan that works for you. They will consider your specific diagnosis, lifestyle, medical history and preferences when developing the plan and will make adjustments to it over time.