Meds That Treat Anxiety

Anxiety is one of the most common mental health conditions that affects 40 million adults in the United States. A variety of medications are 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. Unlike benzodiazepines, they're not addictive.

SSRIs

The most common anxiety medication is selective serotonin reuptake inhibits (SSRIs) which include citalopram, escitalopram, and fluoxetine. These drugs also help with depression, and can ease the symptoms of other anxiety disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). They may take up to a month for them to begin working.

They work by increasing the levels of certain chemical messengers in the brain, including serotonin and norepinephrine. They are usually the first option for anxiety, however doctors also employ other kinds of antidepressants as well as benzodiazepines.

Another class of antidepressants known as serotonin and norepinephrine-reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) such as duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor) are used to treat anxiety. They work a little differently from SSRIs, as they also reduce the reabsorption rate of norepinephrine and serotonin, but at lower levels than SSRIs. These medications 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 effects are what make them less popular. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are a different kind of antidepressant that can be used to combat anxiety. However, their restrictions on diet and high risk of toxicity limit their usage.

Benzodiazepines are often used to treat panic attacks and anxiety in the short-term for instance, when waiting for SSRIs or SNRIs to kick in. These medications can cause tolerance, sedation and addiction as well as withdrawal reactions that may cause anxiety treatment leeds, depression and even delirium. The most commonly used benzodiazepines are alprazolam (Xanax) as well as clonazepam (Klonopin) and lorazepam (Ativan).

Therapy is an important part of a treatment plan for anxiety as it can help you learn more about your symptoms and their causes. Many people find that medication and therapy help them to cope. In fact, some studies suggest that cognitive therapy is just as effective as anxiety medications. Talk to your doctor about your options and which is the best treatment for generalized anxiety option for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines can have a calming effect they reduce Male Anxiety treatment and relax muscles that are tense. They also ease symptoms of fear-related bodily stimulation (like heart racing or shaking) and help promote sleep.

They work by binding to inhibitory neurons, for example GABA or gamma aminobutryic acids and bind to 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 that are sent to the amygdala. which is the brain's region that detects threats and creates the feeling of fear.

These drugs can be used for short durations, such as when you experience a panic attack or when you experience severe anxiety. They may help relieve symptoms within 30 to 90 minutes after taking them. Benzodiazepines are, in contrast to SSRIs do not stay in the body for long. They are fast acting and can work in a matter of hours. This makes them ideal for situations when immediate relief is needed (such as during an airplane ride or before giving a presentation in public).

They are addictive, and it is recommended to only prescribe them for a maximum of 4 weeks at each time. After that they also become less effective.

One of the main reasons benzodiazepines are so popular is because they are effective and have few adverse effects when compared to their predecessors, such as barbiturates or meprobamate. They are fast in the time to begin their action and are extremely effective as anxiolytics (anti-anxiety) as well as sedatives and anticonvulsants, as well as for muscle relaxants.

Benzos were blamed for the negative attitudes towards anxiety that developed in the 1970s and 80s, including the minimization of the disorder and the perception that benzodiazepine treatments can lead to physical dependence. Despite this they still play a crucial role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, specifically when used in combination with psychosocial interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy.

Benzos can interact with other medications and trigger unwanted side effects, such as drowsiness, confusion or drowsiness. It is important to inform your doctor know about any other prescription, non-prescription, or herbal medication you're considering or taking. You can determine which medications are safe to use with benzodiazepines by looking up the British National Formulary A-Z list of drug interactions.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants can reduce anxiety and other mental health problems. 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.

Most doctors prescribe SSRIs as the first-line treatment for anxiety, but these drugs may not be appropriate for all people. If these antidepressants don't work the doctor might suggest an older form of medication to treat anxiety and depression known as a tetracyclic, or tricyclic antidepressant. These include amitriptyline and nortriptyline as well as Clomipramine. These antidepressants are not as popular but they are still accessible. You may also ask your doctor to prescribe the sedating antidepressant trazodone(Desyrel) in lower doses if you are having sleep problems or anxiety.

Other antidepressants that may aid are the nefazodone (Ferdinand) and duloxetine (Cymbalta). They're also available in generic form. If they aren't working, your physician can try the tranquilizing antidepressant mirtazapine (Remeron) or the antipsychotics quetiapine or olanzapine.

Medications for other anxiety disorders include beta blockers, which decrease the heart rate and blood pressure by blocking the actions of adrenaline. These drugs aren't commonly used to treat anxiety on their own, but can be helpful when paired with psychological therapy.

Psychological therapy can help you change negative thoughts and behavior patterns that cause anxiety. It can teach you to control your anxiety and learn strategies for coping. Based on your specific condition, you might be treated with exposure or cognitive behavioural therapy. Cognitive behavioural therapy teaches you to confront negative and fearful thoughts and overcome your avoidance of situations that cause anxiety. Exposure therapy involves gradually increasing the severity of anxiety-inducing situations until you are able to handle the stressors. It can be done in a group or on your own. In both cases, results can take a while to show. A combination of medication and psychotherapy therapy is the best option for some people. Some people find that medication alone is sufficient to treat symptoms. Tell your doctor how you manage your symptoms.

Other Medical Treatments

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

These medications correct an imbalance in your brain chemicals and can help ease your symptoms by lowering or blocking the signals that trigger anxiety and stress. But, they're not an all-in-one solution. You'll require a variety of methods to manage anxiety, like physical exercise, relaxation techniques and psychotherapy.

Your doctor might initially prescribe one of the "first choices" anxiety medications, which are SSRIs and SNRIs. These are the most effective medications for treating anxiety disorders according to research studies. SSRIs are typically found in sertraline (Zoloft) and the fluoxetine, citalopram and escitalopram. These drugs can cause minor side effects, such as insomnia and nausea, however these tend to subside within 4-8 weeks. Contrary to benzodiazepines they're not addictive and do not increase your risk for suicidal thoughts.

The benzodiazepines such as alprazolam diazepoxide and clonazepam (Valium) offer immediate relief from anxiety and panic attacks. However, they can cause side effects such as dizziness and drowsiness. They may also cause problems with coordination and memory, and may even cause dependence. These medications are less well-known than the older barbiturates, but they are equally effective.

Antihistamines such as Vistaril (hydroxyzine) were originally created to treat allergies. However they also serve to reduce anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine may have a relaxing effect because it blocks histamine receptors. It is not a controlled substance, so it does not have the same risks of addiction as benzodiazepines.

Anticonvulsants are an additional type of medication which can help with anxiety. They have been found to reduce anxiety through interfering in the production and release of dopamine as well as sérotonin. They may be prescribed in combination with other medications or as a short-term treatment for anxiety. Your doctor will assess your medical history and symptoms to determine if these medications are appropriate for you. They'll also talk about how long you should be taking them and any possible negative side effects. Anxiety medications are only available on prescription, which means you'll have to see a psychiatrist to get these medications.