nievessharpe828526

Medications to Treat Anxiety

While therapy is the best treatment for anxiety, sometimes an infrequent course of medication is required. Antidepressants and tranquilizers are two of the drugs that can be used to treat anxiety.

SSRI antidepressants such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro) and sertraline (Zoloft) can improve communication between nerve cells within the brain and can reduce anxiety. SNRIs that target the chemicals serotonin as well as norepinephrine could be effective.

SSRIs

SSRIs are often the first medications prescribed by doctors to treat anxiety disorders. They block nerve cell absorption of serotonin into the brain, a chemical that is vital for the regulation of mood. It takes some time for the medications to be effective however, people typically begin to feel better after 4 to 6 weeks. SSRIs don't develop into a habit and are not addictive, so they can continue to be used for a long duration.

Another type of antidepressant, SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), also treats depression and anxiety. These SNRIs include citalopram and Escitalopram and fluoxetine (Prozac), paraxetine (Paxil), and sertraline. Tricyclic antidepressants like imipramine (Tofranil), doxepine, and an anxiety Disorder stimulant are also used to treat depression and anxiety. Mirtazapine is a new antidepressant is sometimes used to treat anxiety disorders.

Doctors aren't sure exactly how SSRIs and SNRIs work however they do know that they boost activity of certain chemical messengers within the brain, known as neurotransmitters. They prevent the brain from reabsorbing chemicals and allow these substances to bind with receptors.

img width="479" src="">

SSRIs are used to treat generalized anxiety disorder, GAD; obsessive-compulsive disorder, OCD; panic disorder/agoraphobia; and posttraumatic stress disorder, PTSD. They can also be helpful with bulimia, however it is not as common.

People with anxiety who do not respond to SSRIs could be prescribed an antipsychotic atypical drug. Examples include quetiapine (Abilify) and Aripiprazole (Risperdal). These medications reduce anxiety in those suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorders. They are typically prescribed in conjunction with an antidepressant. They also have a lower risk of serious adverse reactions than other forms of antipsychotics.

Medications called beta-blockers can also be used to reduce anxiety and are commonly prescribed for heart problems. Examples include propranolol (Inderal) and atenolol (Tenormin). They can reduce the physical symptoms of anxiety, particularly for people with social anxiety disorder. They can also aid in reducing anxiety before or after surgery, and for certain chronic pain issues. Benzodiazepines, like lorazepam or Ativan (Ativan), can be used in situations where other medications do not work. Benzodiazepines can be addictive and habit-forming.

SNRIs

SNRIs are a kind of antidepressant medication that is typically prescribed to combat anxiety. https://www.iampsychiatry.com/anxiety-treatment function similarly to SSRIs however, they enhance the supply of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. In turn, they are usually more effective in treating certain kinds of anxiety disorders. This includes social anxiety disorder and panic disorder. Similar to other medications, they are most effective when they are combined with therapy for talk and other treatment strategies.

In contrast to benzodiazepines, SNRIs do not cause dependence or addiction in most people. Some patients may experience withdrawal symptoms when stopping a medication after an extended period of usage. Due to this, it is important to speak with your physician prior to stopping any medication.

Serotonin and norepinephrine, two neurotransmitters, are responsible for stress and mood reactions. They play a crucial role in the fight or flight response that a lot of sufferers of anxiety experience. SNRIs stop nerve cells from rapidly soaking up these neurotransmitters by blocking the process of reuptake. By doing so they help keep these chemicals in the brain for longer and as a consequence they are able to boost mood and decrease anxiety and aid in reducing symptoms of panic attacks.

Norepinephrine is also crucial for anxiety as it stimulates the amygdala, which is a deep and primal part of the brain that is linked with fear-related behaviour. SNRIs decrease the activity of this area of the brain. This can boost mood, anxiety and even alleviate panic attacks.

Although these drugs can be very beneficial but it is important to keep in mind that they can come with a risk of increasing suicidal thoughts in some individuals. This is why they are often only prescribed in higher doses for a short time. These medications can also interact with other medications and substances. If you are on any other prescription or non-prescription medications, be sure to discuss this with your physician and keep them up-to-date on any underlying conditions you have including heart problems and bleeding disorders. Be aware that some patients have reported adverse reactions to SNRIs, such as nausea and dry mouth.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines, or benzos as they are often referred to are a class of drugs that reduce anxiety and related symptoms, including tension in the muscles and insomnia. Certain people suffering from anxiety disorders, such as panic disorder or social anxiety may find them useful particularly if they've not been able to respond to other treatments such as SSRIs and psychotherapy. They can also be utilized as a temporary solution until you can wait for your antidepressant medication to begin to work. The Benzos include diazepam and lorazepam, temazepam, and flurazepam.

Because they're fast-acting, they typically start to work within 30 minutes. These drugs don't last long in the body, so you should take them on a regular basis to reap the benefits. Benzos should not be used for long periods because they can cause physical dependence and addiction. Benzos should not be taken by people with depression or anxiety disorders as they can increase the risk.

People who take benzos for long periods of time with no medical supervision and often without the direction of a doctor, can develop a condition called sedative-use disorders, which include withdrawal symptoms and addiction. This is a rare issue for those who take benzos as prescribed. Rather, misuse of benzos is usually a result of other factors such as alcohol abuse and depression.

The tolerance to benzodiazepines may develop when they are taken for a long period of time. Tolerance means you require more medication to get the same results. In some instances this could lead to respiratory depression, coma and death. It is crucial to take benzodiazepines in the prescribed dosage, even on a long-term basis.

Other Medical Treatments

SSRIs and SNRIs will be the first drugs prescribed by doctors to treat anxiety. They impact serotonin which affects mood appetite, sleep, and mood. They can be slow to show results, up to 12 weeks, and have some side effects like insomnia or nausea. SSRIs can also be used to treat mental disorders such as panic disorder, depression, and obsessive compulsive disorder. Antidepressants, unlike benzodiazepines do not cause physical dependence. However, they may cause withdrawal symptoms if abruptly stopped.

The medications in this class are sertraline (Zoloft) as well as the fluoxetine (Prozac) and citalopram (Celexa). They may be used as a stand-alone treatment or in combination with therapy. Antidepressants may be prescribed by a psychiatrist, psychologist or family physician who has specialized training in medication management.

Doctors can prescribe a specific class of antidepressants referred to as monoamine oxidase inhibitors or MAOIs. These drugs inhibit the action of certain enzymes that break down chemicals, like serotonin and norepinephrine, and dopamine. MAOIs can take up to three or four weeks to begin working however they aren't as quick-acting as SSRIs.

Clonidine is another drug that can be used to manage anxiety. It is often used to treat anxiety, however, it can also be used to control blood pressure. Its effectiveness is limited due to adverse effects like hypotension and sedation. Antihistamines such as hydroxyzine can be prescribed by doctors to decrease anxiety and panic attacks. They may also decrease the effectiveness of benzodiazepines in some patients.

The treatment for anxiety is usually using medication, psychotherapy and exercise. The most effective method is to work with a therapist who specializes in treating anxiety disorders. They can help you identify the underlying causes for your anxiety, and suggest strategies to manage it without medication if required. Other options for treating anxiety that do not require medication include eye movement desensitization, mindfulness meditation, reprocessing and trauma-informed yoga. Talk with your therapist about which options are best for you. Psychiatrists are trained to analyze your symptoms and medical history and formulate a treatment plan that is suitable for you. They will consider your specific diagnosis, lifestyle, medical background and preferences when creating this plan, and will make adjustments to it over time.