Meds That Treat Anxiety

Anxiety is among the most common mental health issues that affects 40 million adults in the United States. It is extremely treatable, and there are many types of medications available.

SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), like Zoloft, treatment For panic attacks and anxiety 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 common anxiety medication is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro) and fluoxetine (Prozac). These medications are also used to treat depression as well as relieve symptoms of anxiety disorders such as obsessive compulsive disorder. It can take up one month for them to start working.

These drugs are effective by increasing the quantity of certain chemical transmitters that are present in the brain. This includes serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. They're usually the first treatment option for anxiety, however doctors may also prescribe other kinds of antidepressants and benzodiazepines.

Another class of antidepressants called serotonin and norepinephrine-reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) like duloxetine (Cymbalta) and Treatment For Panic Attacks And Anxiety venlafaxine (Effexor), are also used to treat anxiety. They work a little differently than SSRIs in that they reduce the reabsorption of norepinephrine and serotonin, but at lower levels than SSRIs. These medicines take a long time to take effect and are more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants, like imipramine Tofranil are effective in treating anxiety disorders. However their drowsiness and other adverse reactions are what make them less popular. Monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs) are another kind of antidepressant that can be used to combat anxiety. However, their restrictions on diet and the high risk of toxicity limit their use.

Benzodiazepines are used to treat panic attacks and anxiety in the short-term in the meantime, while waiting for SSRIs and SNRIs. These medications can cause tolerance and addiction, sedation and apathy and withdrawal reactions that can cause rebound depression, anxiety and even delirium. Benzodiazepines are typically found in alprazolam, clonazepam, as well as lorazepam.

Therapy is a vital part of any anxiety treatment plan. It aids you in better understand your symptoms and their root causes. Many people find that both therapy and medication aid them manage their anxiety. Some studies suggest that cognitive therapy is as effective as anxiety medications. Talk to your doctor about your options and determine what is the best option for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines have an calming effect, which can reduce anxiety and relax muscles. They also alleviate symptoms of fear-related bodily arousal (like heart racing and trembling) and promote sleep.

The way they work is through binding to inhibitory neurotransmitters, like gamma-aminobutryic acids or GABA which is a receptor in the central nervous system. They boost the effects of GABA by facilitating the inhibitory effects of GABA on other neurotransmitters and reducing the number of messages sent to amygdala. It is a part of the brain that evaluates threats and creates a sense of fear.

These medications are sometimes taken for short durations, such as during a panic attack or severe anxiety attack. They can relieve symptoms within 30 to 60 minutes. Benzodiazepines, unlike SSRIs do not stay in the body for long. They're quick-acting and typically take effect in just a couple of hours, making them suitable for situations in which immediate relief is required (like on a plane flight or before an address in public).

Since they are addictive, patients are usually only prescribed them up to four weeks at a time. They also lose their effectiveness after that time.

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

Benzos are often blamed for the negative attitudes towards anxiety that developed in the 1970s and 1980s. This included the stigmatization of anxiety and the belief that benzodiazepine treatment causes physical dependence. Yet, benzodiazepines continue to play a significant role in the treatment for panic attacks and anxiety (m1bar.Com) of anxiety disorders, particularly when they are combined with psychosocial interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and other interpersonal therapies.

Benzos can interact with other drugs and cause undesirable side-effects like drowsiness or confusion. It's important to let your doctor be aware of any other prescription, non-prescription or herbal medication you're currently contemplating or are taking. Go through the British National Formulary A to Z list of interactions with medications to find out which medications are safe when taken with benzodiazepines.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants can be effective in treating menopause anxiety treatment 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 antidepressants for other health conditions, including bipolar disorder, eating disorders and certain kinds of pain.

SSRIs are typically prescribed as a first-line treatment of anxiety by doctors, but they might not work for everyone. If they aren't working doctors might try the older type of antidepressant known as tricyclic or tetracyclic an antidepressant. These include amitriptyline and nortriptyline, as well as clomipramine. They're less popular than the newer antidepressants, but still accessible. You can ask your doctor to prescribe the sedating antidepressant trazodone(Desyrel) at lower doses if you're having sleep problems or anxiety.

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

Beta blockers are used to treat other anxiety disorders. They lower blood pressure and heart rate by blocking adrenaline. These medications are not typically used to treat anxiety by themselves however they can be effective when coupled with psychotherapy.

Psychotherapy can help you change negative thoughts and behaviors that cause anxiety. It can help you learn to manage your anxiety and develop coping skills. Based on your specific situation, you may receive cognitive behavioural therapy or exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioural therapy can help you develop the ability to confront negative, fearful thoughts and overcome avoidance of situations that trigger anxiety. Exposure therapy involves gradually increasing the severity of anxiety-inducing situations until you can cope with them. It can be done either individually or in smaller groups. In both cases it takes time to demonstrate results. A combination of medication and psychotherapy therapy is the best option for certain people. Some people find that medication alone is sufficient to treat symptoms. It's important to tell your doctor what you're doing to manage your symptoms.

Other Medicines

Other medications can aid in relieving your symptoms. Antihistamines and beta blockers are sometimes prescribed to relieve anxiety.

These medications can help reduce your symptoms, by lowering or blocking the signals that cause anxiety and stress. They're not a cure-all. You'll still need to do other things to reduce your anxiety, like physical exercise, relaxation techniques, and psychotherapy.

SSRIs or SNRIs are the first choice of anxiety medications that your doctor might prescribe. According to studies, these medications are the most effective treatment for anxiety disorders effective for treating anxiety disorders. SSRIs are commonly found in sertraline (Zoloft) and fluoxetine, citalopram, and escitalopram. These medications can cause mild side effects such as nausea and insomnia, but these tend to subside within 4-8 weeks. They aren't addictive and they do not increase the likelihood of suicidal thoughts.

The benzodiazepines alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin) and diazepoxide (Valium) provide immediate relief from panic attacks and anxiety However, they can cause negative effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, memory and coordination issues, and dependence. These drugs are less popular than older barbiturates but are equally effective.

Antihistamines, like Vistaril (hydroxyzine) were created to treat allergies however, they're also used to reduce anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine may have a relaxing effect by blocking the histamine receptors. It is not a controlled drug, so it doesn't have the same addiction risks as benzodiazepines.

Anticonvulsants are a different kind of medication that can help with anxiety. They have been found to decrease anxiety by inhibiting the production of and release of dopamine and sérotonin. These medications can be used as part of a combination therapy or to treat anxiety in the short-term. Your doctor will assess your symptoms and health history to determine whether these medications are appropriate for you. They will also discuss the duration of time you'll need these medicines and any potential side effects that may occur. Anxiety medications are only available with a prescription, so you'll need to visit a psychiatrist to get them.