Meds That Treat Anxiety

Anxiety is one of the most prevalent mental health problems which affects more than 40 million people in the United States. There are a variety of medications available to treat anxiety.

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 common anxiety medication is selective serotonin reuptake inhibits (SSRIs), including citalopram, escitalopram, and fluoxetine. These drugs also help with depression, and can help relieve the symptoms of other performance anxiety treatment (click here to visit Telegra for free) disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). They may take up to a month before they start working.

They help by increasing the levels of certain chemical transmitters that are present in the brain. This includes serotonin and norepinephrine as well as dopamine. They're usually the first natural treatment for stress and anxiety option for anxiety, though doctors also use other types 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 are a bit different from SSRIs since they reduce norepinephrine, however at a lower degree than SSRIs. These medications can take a while how to treat anxiety naturally take effect, and they also are more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) like imipramine (Tofranil) are effective in treating certain anxiety disorders, particularly GAD. However their drowsiness as well as other adverse reactions are what make them less popular. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are a different kind of antidepressant that can be used to treat anxiety. Their high toxicity risk and the restriction on dietary intake make them unsuitable for use.

Benzodiazepines are commonly used to treat panic attacks and anxiety in the short term, such as when waiting for SSRIs or SNRIs to take effect. These medications can cause tolerance addiction, sedation, and withdrawal reactions that may cause depression, anxiety and even delirium. The most common benzodiazepines are alprazolam (Xanax), Clonazepam (Klonopin) and lorazepam (Ativan).

Therapy is an essential component of a treatment plan for anxiety, as it helps you understand your symptoms and their causes. Many people find that medication and therapy both help them cope. In fact, some studies suggest that cognitive behavioral therapy works just as well as medication for anxiety. Talk to your doctor about your options and what might be best for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines create an calming effect, reduce anxiety and relax muscles. They also reduce symptoms of fear-related bodily arousal (like heart rate, trembling and trembling) and help promote sleep.

The way they work is by binding to inhibitory neurotransmitters, like gamma-aminobutryic acid, or GABA and interacting with receptors in the central nervous system. They enhance the effects of GABA by increasing its inhibitory effects on other neurotransmitters, and reducing the number of messages that are sent to the amygdala. which is the brain's region which detects threats and gives the sensation of fear.

These medications are sometimes used for short periods, such as during a panic attack or severe anxiety episodes. They can help relieve symptoms in 30 to 60 minutes. Benzodiazepines, unlike SSRIs aren't able to remain in the body for a long time. They're fast-acting and can work in a matter of hours. This makes them ideal for situations in which rapid relief is required (such as on an airplane or prior to presenting in public).

Since they can be addictive, people are typically prescribed up to four weeks at a time. After that they cease to be effective.

One of the reasons why benzodiazepines are so popular is that they are effective and have few negative effects compared to predecessors, such as barbiturates or meprobamate. They are safe 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 were blamed for negative attitudes towards anxiety that developed in the 1970s and 80s and included the denial of the disorder and the perception that benzodiazepine treatments can lead to physical dependence. Despite this they play a significant role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, specifically in conjunction with psychosocial interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy.

Benzos can interact with other medications and trigger unwanted side effects, like drowsiness or confusion. It is important to inform your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription or herbal medication you currently use or plan to take. You can determine which medications are safe to take with benzodiazepines by checking the British National Formulary A-Z list of medication interactions.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants can reduce anxiety and other mental health conditions. 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 bipolar disorder, eating disorders and certain kinds of pain.

SSRIs are usually prescribed as a first-line alternative treatment for depression and anxiety of anxiety by doctors, however they may not work for all people. If they fail doctors can try the older type of antidepressant known as a tricyclic or tetracyclic antidepressant. This includes amitriptyline, nortriptyline, clomipramine and trimipramine, dothiepin, doxepin or imipramine. They're less popular than the newer antidepressants, but still readily available. Your doctor can prescribe the antidepressant with a sedating effect, trazodone (Desyrel) at lower doses to treat anxiety or insomnia.

Other antidepressants that may aid are the nefazodone (Ferdinand) and duloxetine (Cymbalta). They are also available in generic form. If they don't help your doctor, you can try the antipsychotics quetiapine and olanzapine or the tranquilizing antidepressant Mirtazapine.

Treatments for other anxiety disorders include beta blockers that reduce the heart rate and blood pressure by blocking the action of adrenaline. These medications are not typically used to treat anxiety alone, but they can be effective if combined with psychotherapy.

Psychological therapy can help you to change negative thoughts and behaviors that can cause weak legs anxiety treatment. It can teach you to control your anxiety and learn strategies for coping. Depending on your condition, you might be treated with cognitive behavioural therapy or exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioural therapy can help you learn to challenge unhelpful, fearful thoughts and overcome avoidance of situations that trigger your anxiety. The process involves increasing the intensity of anxiety-inducing situations until they are manageable. This can be done individually or in a small group. In both instances it takes time to demonstrate results. Some people believe that the combination of psychotherapy and medication is the best choice. Some people find that taking medication alone is enough to manage symptoms. It is important to inform your doctor what you're doing to control your symptoms.

Other Medicines

Other medications can help relieve your symptoms. Beta blockers, antihistamines and buspirone are all prescribed to alleviate anxiety.

These medications correct an imbalance in the brain's chemicals and can help alleviate your symptoms by reducing or blocking the signals that cause you stress and fear. However, they'ren't the only solution. You'll still have to do other things to control your anxiety, including physical exercise as well as relaxation techniques and psychological therapy.

Your doctor might first prescribe one of the "first choice" anxiety medications, which are SSRIs and SNRIs. They are the most effective medicines for treating anxiety disorders according to research studies. SSRIs are commonly found in sertraline (Zoloft) as well as fluoxetine, citalopram, and escitalopram. These medications can cause mild side effects such as insomnia and nausea, but these usually subside in 4-8 weeks. Contrary to benzodiazepines they're not addictive and won't increase your risk for suicidal ideas.

The benzodiazepines, alprazolam (Xanax) as well as clonazepam (Klonopin) and diazepoxide (Valium) offer immediate relief from panic attacks and anxiety, but they can have side effects, including dizziness, drowsiness, memory and coordination issues, and dependence. These are less popular than older barbiturates but are equally effective.

Antihistamines, such as Vistaril (hydroxyzine) were initially created to treat allergies. However they also serve to alleviate anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine blocks histamine receptors in the brain, and can trigger the body to relax. It's not a controlled substance and therefore doesn't carry the same addiction risks like benzodiazepines.

Anticonvulsants are another type of medication which can help with anxiety. They have been found to decrease anxiety by inhibiting the production of and release dopamine and sérotonin. They might be prescribed in combination with other medications or as a short-term treatment for anxiety. Your doctor will evaluate your health history and symptoms to determine if these medications are right for you. They will discuss the length of time you'll need to take these medicines and any potential side effects that may occur. Anxiety medication is only available on prescription, which means that you'll need a psychiatrist to prescribe it.