Meds That Treat Anxiety

Anxiety affects more than 40 million adults in the United States. There are a variety of medications 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. They're not addictive, as are benzodiazepines.

SSRIs

The most commonly used anxiety medication is selective serotonin reuptake inhibits (SSRIs) which include citalopram, escitalopram, and fluoxetine. These medications also help with depression, and can ease the symptoms of other anxiety disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). They can take up to a month to start working.

These drugs increase the amount of certain chemical messengers within the brain, such as serotonin and norepinephrine. These drugs are usually the first choice for treating anxiety, though doctors may prescribe other forms of antidepressants and benzodiazepines.

Another class of antidepressants, called serotonin and norepinephrine-reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) 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, but at lower levels than SSRIs. These medicines can take a while to start taking effects, and also tend to be more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) like imipramine (Tofranil), are effective in treating some anxiety disorders, notably GAD. However their drowsiness and other side effects make them less well-known. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are a different kind of antidepressant that can be used to treat anxiety. However, their strict dietary restrictions and the risk of toxicity limit their usage.

Benzodiazepines are frequently used to treat anxiety and panic attacks in the short term, such as when waiting for SSRIs or SNRIs to take effect. These medications can cause addiction tolerance, sedation, and tolerance, as well as withdrawal symptoms such a depression, anxiety, and delirium. Benzodiazepines are typically found in alprazolam, clonazepam, as well as lorazepam.

Therapy is a crucial component of any treatment for anxiety. It assists you to better know your symptoms and their causes. Many people discover that both therapy and medication aid them manage their anxiety. Certain studies have proven that cognitive behavioral therapy is as effective as medications for anxiety. Talk with your physician about your options and determine what is the treatment for anxiety disorder might be best treatment for generalised anxiety disorder (hikvisiondb.webcam) for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines can have a calming effect they reduce anxiety and relax muscles that are tense. They also ease symptoms of bodily stress related to fear (like heart rate, trembling or trembling) and help promote sleep.

The way they work is by binding to inhibitory neurotransmitters like gamma-aminobutryic acids or GABA and interacting with receptors in the central nervous system. They increase the effects of GABA by facilitating the inhibitory effect of GABA on other neurotransmitters, and decreasing the amount of messages that are sent to the amygdala. This is a part of the brain that evaluates the threat and triggers a feeling of anxiety.

These medicines are often taken for short durations, such as during an attack of panic or a severe anxiety episodes. They can help ease symptoms within 30 to 90 minutes of taking them. In contrast to SSRIs, benzodiazepines don't remain in the body for long. They are fast acting and can be used within a few hours. This makes them ideal for situations where immediate relief is needed (such for instance, during a flight or prior to presenting in public).

Since they can be addictive, people are typically prescribed for a period of up to four weeks at a go. They also lose effectiveness after that time.

One of the reasons why benzodiazepines were so popular was that they worked and had minimal side effects when compared to their predecessors like meprobamate and barbiturates. They are efficient and have a rapid onset, and can be employed as anxiolytics to decrease anxiety. They can also be used as sedatives, anticonvulsants and muscle relaxants.

Benzos are often blamed for the negative perceptions of anxiety that emerged in the 1970s and 1980s, including the denial of the disorder and the perception that benzodiazepine treatment causes physical dependence. However the fact that benzodiazepines play a crucial part in the natural treatment for anxiety and panic attacks of anxiety disorders, particularly when combined with psychosocial interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and other interpersonal therapies.

Benzos may interact with other medications and trigger undesirable side effects, like drowsiness or confusion. It is important to inform your doctor be aware of any other prescription, non-prescription, or herbal medications you're considering or taking. You can find out which medications are safe to take along with benzodiazepines by checking the British National Formulary A-Z list for medication interactions.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants can ease anxiety and other mental health issues. 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 for other health conditions, such as eating disorders, bipolar disorder and certain kinds of pain.

The majority of doctors prescribe SSRIs as the first line treatment for anxiety, however these drugs may not be effective for all people. If they aren't working, doctors may try the older type of antidepressant, known as a tricyclic or tetracyclic antidepressant. These include amitriptyline, nortriptyline, clomipramine and trimipramine, dothiepin, doxepin or imipramine. They're not as popular as the latest antidepressants, yet they're still available. You may also ask your doctor to prescribe the sedating antidepressant trazodone(Desyrel) in lower doses if you are experiencing anxiety or sleep problems.

Other antidepressants that may help are nefazodone (Ferdinand) and duloxetine (Cymbalta). They are also available in generic forms. If they aren't working, your physician might suggest a sedating antidepressant mirtazapine (Remeron) or the antipsychotics quetiapine or olanzapine.

Medications for other anxiety disorders include beta blockers that reduce the heart rate and blood pressure by preventing the action of adrenaline. These medications are not typically used to treat anxiety on their own however they can be effective when used in conjunction with psychotherapy.

Psychological therapy can help you to change negative thoughts and behaviors that cause anxiety. It can teach you to control your anxiety and learn how to cope. Based on your specific condition, you might receive cognitive behavioural therapy or exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioural therapy assists you to develop the ability to confront negative thoughts, fears and the fear of situations that trigger your anxiety. Exposure therapy involves gradually increasing the intensity of anxiety-provoking situations until you are able to handle them. This can be done in a single session or in small groups. In both cases, results take time to appear. A combination of medications and psychological therapy is the best option for certain people. Some people discover that medications alone are enough to manage their symptoms. It is important to inform your doctor about the things you're doing to control your symptoms.

Other Medicines

Other medications can also help relieve your symptoms. Antihistamines and beta blockers are often prescribed to alleviate anxiety.

These medications correct an imbalance in your brain chemicals and can help ease your symptoms by lowering or blocking signals that can cause stress and fear. They're not a panacea. You'll still have to do other things to control anxiety, such as exercises or relaxation techniques, as well as psychological therapy.

Your doctor could first prescribe one of the "first first" anxiety medications, which are SSRIs and SNRIs. They are the most effective anxiety treatment effective medicines for treating anxiety disorders, according to research studies. SSRIs are commonly found in sertraline (Zoloft), the fluoxetine, citalopram and escitalopram. These medications may cause mild side effects like insomnia and nausea, however they usually disappear within 4-8 weeks. Contrary to benzodiazepines they're not addictive and do not increase your risk for suicidal thoughts.

The benzodiazepines alprazolam (Xanax) and Clonazepam (Klonopin) and diazepoxide (Valium) provide immediate relief for anxiety and panic attacks However, they can cause adverse effects, such as drowsiness, dizziness, memory and coordination issues, as well as dependence. They're not as popular than the barbiturates of the past, but are just as efficient.

Antihistamines, such as Vistaril (hydroxyzine) were originally designed to help with allergies. However they can also be used to alleviate anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine blocks the histamine receptors in the brain and can cause the body to relax. It is not a controlled substance and doesn't have the same risk of addiction as benzodiazepines.

Another kind of medication that can aid with anxiety is a class called anticonvulsants. They have been shown to ease anxiety by inhibiting the release and production of serotonin and dopamine. They might be prescribed in combination with other drugs or as a temporary treatment for anxiety. Your doctor will assess your symptoms and health history to determine if these drugs are suitable for you. They will also discuss the duration of time you'll need these medications as well as any possible adverse effects that could occur. Anxiety medications can only be purchased on prescription, so you'll need to visit a psychiatrist before you can get these medications.