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Meds That Treat Anxiety

Anxiety is one of the most prevalent mental health conditions that affects 40 million adults 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. In contrast to benzodiazepines, they're addictive.

SSRIs

The most commonly used anxiety medications are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) which include citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro) and fluoxetine (Prozac). These medications can also treat depression and can alleviate symptoms associated with other anxiety disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It could take up to one month for them to start working.

These drugs work by boosting the levels of certain chemical messengers in the brain, including serotonin and norepinephrine. They're typically the first treatment option for anxiety, however doctors also use other types of antidepressants and benzodiazepines.

Antidepressants like 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 rate than SSRIs. These medications may take a few days to take effects, and they are more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) like imipramine (Tofranil), can be effective in treating some anxiety disorders, including GAD. However their drowsiness as well as other adverse effects are what make them less popular. Another form of antidepressant is monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are also able to be used to combat anxiety. However, their dietary restrictions and the high risk of toxicity limit their use.

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

Therapy is a crucial component of the treatment for anxiety as it can help you learn more about your symptoms and their reasons. Many people discover that medication and therapy both aid in coping. Some studies suggest that cognitive behavior therapy works just as well as anxiety medications. Consult your physician to determine what is the best option for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines have a calming effect they reduce anxiety and relax muscles that are tense. They also alleviate symptoms of bodily stimulation related to fear (like heart racing or shaking) and help promote sleep.

They work by binding to inhibitory neurons, such as GABA or gamma aminobutryic acids at receptors in the central nervous system. They increase the effects of GABA by facilitating its inhibitory effect on other neurotransmitters and decreasing the number of messages sent to the amygdala, a region of the brain that assesses threats and produces the feeling of fear.

These medications are sometimes taken for short durations, such as during a panic attack or severe anxiety episode. https://www.iampsychiatry.com/anxiety-treatment may ease the symptoms within 30 to 90 minutes after taking them. Benzodiazepines are, in contrast to SSRIs don't stay in the body long. They are fast acting and can be used in a matter of hours. This makes them perfect for situations when rapid relief is required (such as during an airplane ride or before giving a presentation in public).

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Because they are addictive, patients are usually prescribed for a period of up to four weeks at a go. They also lose effectiveness after a period of time.

One of the reasons why benzodiazepines are so well-known is that they are safe and have minimal negative effects compared to predecessors such as barbiturates and meprobamate. They have a rapid start of action and are very effective as anxiolytics (anti-anxiety), sedatives, anticonvulsants as well as as muscle relaxants.

Benzos were blamed for negative attitudes towards anxiety that were developed during the 1970s and 80s and included the denial of the disorder, as well as the perception that benzodiazepine treatments can lead to physical dependence. Yet however, benzodiazepines still play a major role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, especially when they are combined with psychosocial interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapies.

Benzos can interact with other medications and cause unwanted side-effects, such as drowsiness or confusion. It is important to inform your doctor know about any other prescription, non-prescription or herbal medication you are taking or thinking about taking. Take a look at the British National Formulary A to Z list of medication interactions to determine which medicines are safe to take with benzodiazepines.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants are effective in treating anxiety and mental illnesses. 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 ailments, too, such as eating disorders, some types of pain, and bipolar disorder.

SSRIs are usually prescribed as a first-line treatment of anxiety by doctors, but they may not work for everyone. If these antidepressants aren't working doctors may suggest an older form of medication called a tetracyclic or tricyclic antidepressant. These include amitriptyline and nortriptyline, clomipramine, trimipramine, doxepin and dothiepin or imipramine. They're less common than newer antidepressants, yet they're still accessible. You may also ask your doctor to prescribe the sedating antidepressant, trazodone(Desyrel) in lower doses in case you are experiencing sleep issues or anxiety.

Other antidepressants that can help include the nefazodone (Ferdinand) and duloxetine (Cymbalta). They're also available in generic forms. If they do not work, your doctor may suggest the tranquilizing antidepressant mirtazapine (Remeron) or the antipsychotics quetiapine and olanzapine.

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

Psychotherapy can help you to change negative thoughts and behavior that can cause anxiety. It can help you to control your anxiety, and build coping skills. Depending on your health condition, you could undergo cognitive behavioural therapy or exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy teaches you to challenge negative and fearful thoughts and overcome your fear of situations which trigger anxiety. The process involves increasing the intensity of anxiety provoking situations until they are manageable. This can be done individually or in a small group. In both instances, results take time to appear. A combination of medication and psychotherapy therapy is the best choice for certain people. Some people find that taking medication alone is sufficient to treat symptoms. It is important to inform your doctor about the things you're doing to control your symptoms.

Other Medicines

While antidepressants and benzodiazepines are the most commonly prescribed treatment for anxiety, other medications can help ease your symptoms as well. Beta blockers, antihistamines, and buspirone are all sometimes prescribed to alleviate anxiety.

These medications can help alleviate your symptoms by reducing or blocking the signals that trigger stress and fear. They're not a cure-all. You will still need to do things to control anxiety, like physical exercise as well as relaxation techniques, and psychotherapy.

The SSRIs or SNRIs are often the most commonly prescribed anxiety medications that your doctor might prescribe. They are the most effective medicines for treating anxiety disorders according to research studies. The most common SSRIs include sertraline (Zoloft), the fluoxetine (Prozac), citalopram (Celexa), and escitalopram (Lexapro). These medications might have mild adverse effects, like nausea or insomnia, but they typically subside within 4-8 weeks. They aren't addictive and they don't increase the risk of suicidal thoughts.

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

Antihistamines like Vistaril (hydroxyzine), were developed to relieve allergies however, they're also employed to alleviate anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine may have a relaxing affect by blocking histamine receptors. It's not a controlled substance which means it doesn't carry the same risks of addiction as benzodiazepines.

Another type of medication that may help with anxiety is a class called anticonvulsants. They have been shown to relieve anxiety by interfering with the production and release of dopamine and serotonin. These medications may be prescribed 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'll also talk about how long you should take them and any possible side effects. Anxiety medication is only available on prescription, which means that you'll need a psychiatrist to prescribe it.