meds That treat anxiety (http://forum.siamnetworker.com)

Anxiety affects 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. They aren't addictive, unlike benzodiazepines.

SSRIs

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

These drugs work by boosting the amount of certain chemical messengers within the brain, including serotonin and norepinephrine. They are usually the first option for anxiety, though doctors also use other types of antidepressants and 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 are a bit different from SSRIs because they decrease norepinephrine, but at a lower level than SSRIs. These medicines can take a while to start taking effects, and also are more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) such as imipramine (Tofranil), are effective in treating certain anxiety disorders, particularly GAD. However their drowsiness and other side effects are what make them less popular. Another kind of antidepressant, monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs) are also able to be used to combat anxiety. However, their restrictions on diet and high risk of toxicity limit their usage.

Benzodiazepines are frequently used to combat anxiety and panic attacks in the short term like when you wait for SSRIs or Drugs to treat anxiety SNRIs to kick in. These medications can cause tolerance addiction, sedation, and withdrawal reactions that may cause anxiety, depression and even delirium. The most commonly used benzodiazepines are alprazolam (Xanax), Clonazepam (Klonopin) and lorazepam (Ativan).

Therapy is an essential part of any treatment for anxiety near me plan for anxiety. It aids you in better understand your symptoms and their causes. Many people find that therapy and medication both aid in coping. Certain studies have proven that cognitive behavioral therapy is just as effective as medications for anxiety. Talk with your doctor about your options and determine what could be the best choice for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines have a calming effect, decrease anxiety and relax muscles. They also ease symptoms of bodily stimulation related to fear (like heart rate, trembling or trembling) and encourage sleep.

The way they function is through binding to inhibitory neurotransmitters, like gamma-aminobutryic acid, or GABA, at receptors in the central nervous system. They increase the effects of GABA by facilitating its inhibitory effect on other neurotransmitters and decreasing the amount of messages that are sent to the amygdala, which is the brain's region which detects threats and gives the sensation of fear.

These drugs can be used for short durations for instance, when you experience a panic attack or if you are experiencing severe anxiety. They can help relieve symptoms in 30 to 60 minutes. Unlike SSRIs they don't stay in the body for long. They are fast-acting and often work in a matter of hours, making them suitable for situations where immediate relief is required (like on a plane flight or prior to giving an address in public).

Because they are addictive, patients are usually only prescribed them for a period of up to four weeks at a time. After that they lose their effectiveness.

One of the reasons the benzodiazepines became so well-known is that they were effective and had a few adverse effects, when compared to their predecessors like meprobamate and barbiturates. They have a rapid onset of action and are very useful as anxiolytics (anti-anxiety), sedatives, anticonvulsants, as well as for muscle relaxants.

Benzos are often blamed for the negative perceptions of anxiety that emerged in the 1970s and 1980s, which included the trivialization of the disorder and the belief that benzodiazepine treatment causes physical dependence. However they 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 medications, causing undesirable side effects such as drowsiness and confusion. It is recommended to inform your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription, or herbal medicines you currently take or plan to take. You can find out which medications are safe to take along with benzodiazepines by looking up the British National Formulary A-Z list for medication interactions.

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 many antidepressants for other health conditions as well, including eating disorders, certain kinds of pain and bipolar disorder.

SSRIs are typically prescribed as a first-line treatment option for anxiety by doctors, but they might not work for everyone. If these antidepressants aren't working the doctor might suggest an older form of medication known as a tetracyclic or tricyclic antidepressant. These include amitriptyline, nortriptyline, clomipramine, trimipramine, doxepin and dothiepin or imipramine. They're less common than newer antidepressants, «link» but still accessible. Your doctor may also prescribe the antidepressant that sedates, Trazodone (Desyrel) in lower doses to treat anxiety or insomnia.

Nefazodone, also known as Ferdinand (Cymbalta), and duloxetine may also be useful. These medications are also available in generic form. If they aren't working, your physician can try the sedating antidepressant mirtazapine (Remeron) or the antipsychotics quetiapine and olanzapine.

Treatments for other anxiety disorders include beta blockers, which decrease the heart rate and blood pressure by blocking the action of adrenaline. These medications aren't typically used to treat anxiety on their own, but they can be effective if used in conjunction with psychotherapy.

Psychotherapy can help you to change negative thoughts and behavior that contribute towards your anxiety. It can help you learn to manage your anxiety and develop coping skills. Depending on your health condition, you could be treated with exposure or cognitive behavioural therapy. Cognitive behavioural therapy assists you to develop the ability to confront negative thoughts, fearful thoughts and to overcome the fear of situations that trigger anxiety. Exposure therapy is the process of increasing the level of anxiety-inducing situations until they become manageable. This can be done in a single session or in small groups. In both cases it takes time to demonstrate results. Some people find that the combination of psychotherapy and medication is the best option. Some people find that medication alone is enough to control symptoms. Discuss with your doctor how you manage your symptoms.

Other Medicines

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

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

Your doctor might initially prescribe one of the "first choices" anxiety medication, which includes SSRIs and SNRIs. These are the most effective medicines for treating anxiety disorders, according to research studies. The most commonly used SSRIs include sertraline (Zoloft) and fluoxetine (Prozac) and citalopram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro). These drugs can cause mild side effects like nausea and insomnia, but they usually disappear within 4-8 weeks. They aren't addictive, and they do not increase the likelihood of suicidal thoughts.

The benzodiazepines alprazolam (Xanax) and clonazepam (Klonopin), and diazepoxide (Valium) offer immediate relief from anxiety and panic attacks However, they can cause negative effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, memory and coordination problems, and dependence. These medications are less well-known than older barbiturates, however they are equally effective.

Antihistamines, such as Vistaril (hydroxyzine), were created to treat allergies, but they're also sometimes used to ease anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine blocks histamine receptors in the brain, and can trigger an energizing effect. It is not a controlled substance, so it does not carry the same addiction risks as benzodiazepines.

Anticonvulsants are another type of medication which can be used to treat anxiety. They have been proven to decrease anxiety by inhibiting the production of and release of dopamine as well as sérotonin. These medications can be prescribed as part of a combination therapy or used to treat anxiety in the short term. Your doctor will examine your symptoms and health history to determine if these medications are right for you. They will also discuss the duration of time you should take these medications and any side effects that may occur. Anxiety medication is only available by prescription, and you'll need a psychiatrist to prescribe it.