![[PukiWiki]](image/pukiwiki.png "[PukiWiki]")
|
Meds That Treat Anxiety Anxiety is one of the most prevalent mental health conditions that affects 40 million adults in the United States. It's highly treatable, with many types of 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, unlike benzodiazepines. SSRIs The most popular anxiety medications are selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) which include citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro) and fluoxetine (Prozac). These medications can also be used to treat depression as well as relieve symptoms of anxiety disorders like obsessive compulsive disorder. It can take up to one month for them to start working. These drugs increase the production of certain chemical messengers within the brain, including serotonin and norepinephrine. These medications are typically the first choice to treat anxiety, but doctors can also prescribe other types of antidepressants and benzodiazepines. Antidepressants, such as duloxetine (Cymbalta), and venlafaxine, (Effexor) are also used to treat anxiety. They are a bit different from SSRIs since they reduce norepinephrine but at a lower rate than SSRIs. These medications take a lengthy time to take effect and are more expensive than SSRIs. Tricyclic antidepressants, like imipramine Tofranil can be effective in treating anxiety disorders. However their drowsiness as well as other adverse effects make them less well-known. https://www.iampsychiatry.com/anxiety-treatment (MAOIs) are another type of antidepressant that can be used to combat anxiety. However, their dietary restrictions and the 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 medications can cause tolerance addiction, sedation, and withdrawal reactions that include rebound depression, anxiety, and even delusions. Common benzodiazepines include alprazolam (Xanax) as well as Clonazepam (Klonopin) and lorazepam (Ativan). Therapy is a crucial component of any treatment for anxiety. It assists you to better know your symptoms and their root causes. Many people find that medication and therapy help them to cope. Certain studies have proven that cognitive behavioral therapy is just as effective as anxiety medications. Talk with your physician about your options and determine what is the best option for you. Benzodiazepines Benzodiazepines produce an calming effect, which can reduce anxiety and relax muscles that are tense. They also ease symptoms of fear-related bodily stimulation (like heart rate, trembling or shaking) and help promote sleep. The way they function is by binding to inhibitory neurotransmitters, like gamma-aminobutryic acids or GABA which is a receptor in the central nervous system. They increase the effects of GABA by increasing its inhibitory effects on other neurotransmitters while reducing the amount of messages that are sent to the amygdala, which is the brain's region that detects threats and creates the sensation of fear. These medications can be utilized for short durations for instance, when panic attacks occur or if you are experiencing severe anxiety. They may ease the symptoms within 30 to 90 minutes of taking them. Benzodiazepines, unlike SSRIs aren't able to remain in the body for a long time. They're fast-acting and usually take effect in just a couple of hours, making them suitable for situations where immediate relief is required (like on a plane flight or prior to giving a public presentation). Because they can be addictive, people are usually prescribed for up to four weeks at a go. They also lose effectiveness after that time. One of the reasons why benzodiazepines are so well-known is that they are efficient and have minimal adverse effects when compared to their predecessors such as barbiturates and meprobamate. They have a quick time to begin their action and are very effective as anxiolytics (anti-anxiety), sedatives and anticonvulsants and as muscle relaxants. Benzos have been blamed for the negative attitudes toward anxiety that emerged in the 1970s and 1980s, which included the denial of the disorder and the perception that benzodiazepine treatment leads to physical dependence. Despite this, benzodiazepines continue to play a significant role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, particularly when combined with psychosocial interventions like cognitive behavioral therapy or interpersonal therapies. Benzos may interact with other medications, causing unwanted side effects, such as drowsiness and confusion. You should tell your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription or herbal medication you currently use or plan to take. You can find out which medications are safe to take along with benzodiazepines by looking up the British National Formulary A-Z list of medication interactions. Antidepressants Antidepressants can be 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 antidepressants to treat other health conditions, such as bipolar disorder, eating disorders and certain types of pain. SSRIs are often prescribed as a first-line treatment of anxiety by doctors, but they may not work for everyone. If they aren't working doctors might look at the more traditional antidepressant known as tricyclic or tetracyclic antidepressants. These include amitriptyline, nortriptyline, clomipramine and trimipramine, doxepin and dothiepin or imipramine. They're less popular than the newer antidepressants, yet they're still readily available. Your doctor may also prescribe the antidepressant that sedates, trazodone (Desyrel) in lower doses to treat anxiety or insomnia. Nefazodone, a.k.a Ferdinand (Cymbalta) and duloxetine may also be useful. They are also available in generic forms. If they don't work your doctor, you can try the antipsychotics quetiapine and olanzapine or the sedating antidepressant Mirtazapine. Beta blockers are used to treat anxiety disorders. They lower heart rate and blood pressure by blocking adrenaline. These medications are not typically used to treat anxiety on their own, but they can be effective if combined with psychotherapy. Psychological therapy can help you to change negative thoughts and behaviours that can cause anxiety. It can help you manage your anxiety and develop how to cope. Depending on your situation, you may undergo cognitive behavioural therapy or exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy teaches you to challenge unhelpful and fearful thoughts, and overcome your avoidance of situations that cause anxiety. Exposure therapy involves gradually increasing the intensity of anxiety-inducing situations until are able to handle them. This can be done individually or in a small group. In both cases it takes time to demonstrate results. A combination of medication and psychotherapy therapy is the best option for some people. Others find that meds alone are sufficient to control their symptoms. Discuss with your doctor how you manage your symptoms. Other Medical Treatments
These drugs can correct an imbalance in your brain's chemical balance and can help alleviate symptoms by reducing or blocking signals that trigger stress and fear. But, they're not a cure all. You will still require a variety of methods to control anxiety, like physical exercise, relaxation techniques and psychological therapy. Your doctor could first prescribe one of the "first choice" anxiety medications, which are SSRIs and SNRIs. According to research, these drugs are the most effective for treating anxiety disorders. SSRIs are typically found in sertraline (Zoloft) and fluoxetine, citalopram, and escitalopram. These medications might have minor side effects, such as insomnia or nausea, however they usually subside within 4-8 weeks. Unlike the benzodiazepines, they're not addictive and do not increase your risk of having suicidal thoughts. The benzodiazepines such as alprazolam clonazepam, and diazepoxide, (Valium) offer immediate relief from panic and anxiety attacks. However, they could cause side effects, such as drowsiness and dizziness. They can also cause memory and coordination issues, and even dependence. These medications are less well-known than the older barbiturates, but they are equally effective. Antihistamines, like Vistaril (hydroxyzine) were developed to relieve allergies, but they're also sometimes used to reduce anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine blocks histamine receptors in the brain and can cause the body to relax. It's not a controlled drug which means it doesn't carry the same risks of addiction like benzodiazepines. Another kind of medication that can help with anxiety is a group of medications called anticonvulsants. They've been shown to ease anxiety by interfering with the release and production of dopamine and serotonin. These medications are often prescribed as a part of an integrated therapy or to treat anxiety in the short term. Your doctor will assess your health history and symptoms to determine if these drugs are appropriate for you. They'll also talk about how long you should take them for and any potential adverse effects. Anxiety medications are only available on prescription, which means that a psychiatrist will be required to prescribe it. |
