Meds That Treat Anxiety
Anxiety is one of the most frequent mental health problems that affects 40 million adults in the United States. It's extremely treatable with numerous 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. They're not addictive, as are benzodiazepines.
SSRIs
The most common anxiety medication is selective serotonin inhibits (SSRIs), including citalopram, escitalopram, and fluoxetine. These drugs are also used to treat depression and relieve symptoms of other anxiety disorders such as obsessive compulsive disorder. It can take up to one month before they begin working.
They help by increasing the levels of certain chemical transmitters in the brain. This includes serotonin and norepinephrine as well as dopamine. They are usually the first option for anxiety, however doctors may also prescribe other kinds of antidepressants as well as benzodiazepines.
Antidepressants, such as duloxetine (Cymbalta), and venlafaxine, (Effexor) are also used to treat anxiety. They differ from SSRIs as they reduce norepinephrine, but at a lower degree than SSRIs. These medications may take some time to start taking effects, and they tend to be more expensive than SSRIs.
Tricyclic antidepressants like imipramine Tofranil are effective for treating anxiety disorders. Their drowsiness, along with other adverse effects, make them less popular. Another form of antidepressant is monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), can also be used to combat anxiety. However, their restrictions on diet and high risk of toxicity limit their use.
Benzodiazepines are frequently used to combat anxiety and panic attacks in the short-term like when you wait for SSRIs or SNRIs to begin working. These drugs can trigger tolerance, sedation and addiction, and withdrawal reactions that may cause depression, anxiety, and even delirium. The most common benzodiazepines are alprazolam (Xanax) as well as clonazepam (Klonopin) and lorazepam (Ativan).
Therapy is a crucial component of any treatment plan for anxiety. It aids you in better be aware of your symptoms and root causes. Many people discover that medication and therapy help them to cope. In fact, some studies suggest that cognitive therapy works just as well as medication for anxiety. Talk to your doctor about your options and which could be the best choice for you.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines have an calming effect, which can reduce anxiety and relax muscles. They also ease symptoms of fear-related bodily arousal (like heart racing and trembling) and help promote sleep.
They work by binding to inhibitory neurons, such as GABA or gamma aminobutryic acids and bind to receptors in the central nervous system. anxiety treatment meds Iampsychiatry enhance GABA's effects by facilitating the inhibitory effect of GABA on other neurotransmitters and by reducing the volume of messages that are sent to the amygdala. This is a region of the brain that evaluates threats and produces a feeling of fear.
These medicines are often employed for short periods of time like a panic attack or severe anxiety episodes. They may relieve symptoms within 30 to 60 minutes. Benzodiazepines are different from SSRIs don't stay in the body for long. They're quick-acting and can work within a couple of hours. This makes them ideal for situations when quick relief is required (such for instance, on an airplane or before giving a presentation in public).
They are addictive, which is why people are usually prescribed them for up to 4 weeks at each time. After that they become less effective.
One of the main reasons benzodiazepines are so well-known is that they are effective and have minimal side effects compared to their predecessors such as barbiturates and meprobamate. They are fast in the time to begin their action and are very effective as anxiolytics (anti-anxiety), sedatives and anticonvulsants, as well as for muscle relaxants.
Benzos have been blamed for the negative perceptions of anxiety that developed in the 1970s and 1980s. This included the trivialization of the disorder and the perception that benzodiazepine treatment can lead to physical dependence. However they still play a crucial 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 medications and trigger unwanted side effects, like drowsiness or confusion. You should tell your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription, or herbal medication you currently take or are planning to take. You can determine which medications are safe to use with benzodiazepines through the British National Formulary A-Z list of drug interactions.
Antidepressants
Antidepressants can ease 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 several antidepressants for other health conditions as well, including eating disorders, certain kinds of pain, and bipolar disorder.
SSRIs are usually prescribed as a first-line treatment for anxiety by doctors, but they might not be effective for all people. If they don't work, doctors may try the older type of antidepressant known as tricyclic or tetracyclic antidepressants. These include amitriptyline and nortriptyline, clomipramine, dothiepin, doxepin, trimipramine or imipramine. These antidepressants aren't as common but still readily available. Your doctor can also prescribe the sedating antidepressant Trazodone (Desyrel) at lower doses for sleep or anxiety.
Other antidepressants that can aid are the nefazodone (Ferdinand) and duloxetine (Cymbalta). These drugs are also available in generic forms. If they aren't working, your physician can try the tranquilizing antidepressant mirtazapine (Remeron) or the antipsychotics quetiapine and olanzapine.
Medications for other anxiety disorders include beta blockers, which decrease the blood pressure and heart rate by blocking the actions of adrenaline. These medications are not typically used to treat anxiety alone, but they can be effective when used in conjunction with psychotherapy.
Psychotherapy can help you to change negative thoughts and behaviors that contribute towards your anxiety. It can teach you to manage your anxiety and teach you how to cope. Based on the severity of your health condition, you could be treated with exposure or cognitive behavioural therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps you to challenge unhelpful and fearful thoughts, and overcome your fear of situations which trigger anxiety. The process involves increasing the level of anxiety-inducing situations until they can be managed. This can be done individually or in a small group. In both instances it takes time to show results. A combination of medication and psychotherapy therapy is the best option for some individuals. Some people find that medication alone is sufficient to treat symptoms. Inform your doctor about how you manage your symptoms.
Other Medical Treatments
While antidepressants and benzodiazepines are the most common treatments for anxiety, other medications can help ease your symptoms too. Beta blockers, antihistamines and buspirone are often prescribed to alleviate anxiety.
These drugs can help you reduce your symptoms, by reducing or blocking the signals that trigger stress and fear. However, they're not an all-in-one solution. You will still need to do things to control anxiety, including physical exercise, relaxation techniques and psychotherapy.
Your doctor may first prescribe one of the "first choice" anxiety medications, which are SSRIs and SNRIs. According to studies, these medications are the most effective in treating anxiety disorders. SSRIs are usually found in sertraline (Zoloft), the fluoxetine, citalopram and escitalopram. These medications may cause mild side effects like insomnia and nausea, but they usually disappear within 4-8 weeks. Unlike the benzodiazepines, they're not addictive and do not increase the risk of suicidal thoughts.
The benzodiazepines such as alprazolam diazepoxide, and clonazepam (Valium) offer immediate relief from anxiety and panic attacks. However, they could cause adverse effects, including dizziness and drowsiness. They can 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 can also be used to alleviate anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine may have a relaxing effect because it blocks histamine receptors. It's not a controlled drug and therefore doesn't carry the same addiction risks as benzodiazepines.
Another kind of medication that can help with anxiety is a class of medications known as anticonvulsants. They have been proven to reduce anxiety by inhibiting the release and production of dopamine and serotonin. They can be prescribed in combination with other drugs or as a temporary treatment for anxiety. Your doctor will examine your medical history and symptoms to determine if these medicines are suitable for you. They will also discuss the duration of time you'll need to take these medications as well as any possible negative side effects that might occur. Anxiety medication is only available on prescription, which means that it is necessary to see a psychiatrist to prescribe it.