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. Contrary to benzodiazepines they're not addictive.

SSRIs

The most commonly used anxiety medication is selective serotonin inhibits (SSRIs) comprising citalopram, escitalopram, and fluoxetine. These medications are also used to treat depression and relieve symptoms of other anxiety disorders, such as obsessive compulsive disorder. It can take up one month for them to begin working.

These drugs help by increasing the levels of certain chemical transmitters in the brain. This includes serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. These drugs are usually the first option to treat anxiety, but doctors can prescribe other forms of antidepressants, also known as benzodiazepines.

Antidepressants such as duloxetine, (Cymbalta), and venlafaxine, (Effexor) are also used to treat anxiety. They work a little differently from SSRIs because they reduce the reabsorption rate of norepinephrine and serotonin, although at lower levels than SSRIs. These medications can take a while to take effect, and they also are more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants like imipramine Tofranil can be effective for treating anxiety disorders. Their drowsiness, as well as other side effects, make them less popular. Monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs) are a different kind of antidepressant used to treat anxiety. However, their strict dietary restrictions and the risk of toxicity restrict their use.

Benzodiazepines are commonly used to combat anxiety and panic attacks in the short-term, such as when waiting for SSRIs or SNRIs to begin working. These drugs can trigger tolerance and addiction, sedation and apathy and withdrawal reactions that may cause anxiety, depression and even delirium. The most commonly used benzodiazepines are alprazolam (Xanax) as well as clonazepam (Klonopin) and lorazepam (Ativan).

Therapy is a crucial component of any treatment for anxiety. It helps you to better understand your symptoms and their causes. Many people find that both therapy and medication aid to manage anxiety. Some studies suggest that cognitive therapy is as effective as anxiety medications. Talk to your doctor about your options and what could be the best choice for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines have a calming affect, reduce anxiety and relax muscles that are tense. They also relieve symptoms of bodily stimulation related to fear (like heart racing or trembling) and help promote sleep.

The way they work is through binding to inhibitory neurotransmitters, such as gamma-aminobutryic acid or GABA which is a receptor in the central nervous system. They enhance the effects of GABA by increasing its inhibitory effects on other neurotransmitters and decreasing the amount of messages that are that are sent to the amygdala. an area of the brain that detects threats and creates the sensation of fear.

These drugs can be used for short durations, such as when panic attacks occur or [Redirect-302] if you're experiencing severe anxiety. They may ease the symptoms within 30 to 90 minutes after taking them. Contrary to SSRIs, benzodiazepines don't remain in the body for very long. They're fast-acting and can be effective in a matter of hours. This makes them perfect for situations when rapid relief is required (such as during a flight or prior to presenting in public).

They are addictive, which is why people are generally only prescribed them for up to four weeks at a time. They also lose their effectiveness after a period of time.

One of the main reasons benzodiazepines were so popular was that they worked and had few side effects when compared with their predecessors like barbiturates or meprobamate. They have a rapid start of action and are very useful as anxiolytics (anti-anxiety), sedatives, anticonvulsants, as well as for muscle relaxants.

Benzos have been blamed for the negative perceptions of anxiety that developed in the 1970s and 1980s, including the stigmatization of anxiety and the belief that benzodiazepine treatment can lead to physical dependence. However they play an important role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, particularly when used in combination with psychosocial interventions like cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy.

Benzos can interact with other drugs and trigger unwanted side effects, such as drowsiness or confusion. It is important to inform your doctor be aware of any other prescription, non-prescription or herbal medications you are considering or taking. You can find out which medications are safe to take with benzodiazepines by looking up the British National Formulary A-Z list of medication interactions.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants are 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 antidepressants for other health conditions, such as eating disorders, bipolar disorder and certain types of pain.

The majority of doctors prescribe SSRIs as a first-line treatment for anxiety, however these medications may not be effective for everyone. If these antidepressants aren't working the doctor might suggest an older type known as a tetracyclic, or tricyclic antidepressant. These include amitriptyline, nortriptyline, clomipramine, trimipramine, doxepin and dothiepin or imipramine. These antidepressants are not as popular but are still accessible. Your doctor can prescribe the antidepressant with a sedating effect, trazodone (Desyrel) in lower doses for sleep or anxiety.

Nefazodone, also referred to as Ferdinand (Cymbalta) and duloxetine may also be useful. They're also available in generic forms. If they aren't working, your physician may suggest the tranquilizing antidepressant mirtazapine (Remeron) or the antipsychotics quetiapine and olanzapine.

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

Psychotherapy can help you change negative thoughts and behavior that cause anxiety. It can help you manage your anxiety and teach you how to cope. Depending on the severity of your condition exposure therapy or cognitive behavior therapy may be recommended. Cognitive behavioral therapy teaches you to confront unhelpful and fearful thoughts, and overcome your fear of situations which trigger anxiety. Exposure therapy is the process of increasing the intensity of anxiety provoking situations until they become manageable. It can be carried out in a group or individually. In both cases, it takes time to show results. Some people believe that the combination of psychotherapy and medication is the best option. Some people find that meds alone are sufficient to treat their symptoms. It's crucial to tell your doctor what you're doing to manage your symptoms.

Other Medical Treatments

Other medications can also aid in relieving your symptoms. Beta blockers and antihistamines are often prescribed to ease anxiety.

These drugs can correct an imbalance in the brain's chemicals and can help ease your symptoms by lowering or blocking the signals that trigger anxiety and stress. However, they'ren't a cure all. You'll need to continue doing other things to manage your anxiety, including exercises or relaxation techniques, as well as psychological therapy.

Your doctor may initially prescribe one of the "first choices" Menopause anxiety Treatment medications, which are SSRIs and SNRIs. According to research, these medications are the most effective for treating anxiety disorders. SSRIs are typically found in sertraline (Zoloft) as well as fluoxetine, citalopram, and escitalopram. These medications may have mild side effects, such as nausea or insomnia, but they typically disappear within 4-8 weeks. Contrary to benzodiazepines they're not addictive and won't increase your risk for suicidal thoughts.

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

Antihistamines like Vistaril (hydroxyzine) were originally developed to relieve allergies. However they also serve to reduce anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine has a calming effect because it blocks histamine receptors. It is not a controlled drug and doesn't have the same risk of addiction as benzodiazepines.

Anticonvulsants are an additional kind of medication that can help with anxiety. They have been shown to decrease anxiety by blocking the production and release dopamine and sérotonin. They can be prescribed in conjunction with other medicines or as a short-term treatment for anxiety. Your doctor will assess your health history and symptoms to determine if these medications are appropriate for you. They'll also discuss how to treat anxiety disorder naturally long you should be taking them and any potential side effects. Anxiety medications can only be purchased with a prescription, so you'll have to see an astrologer to obtain them.