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Meds That Treat Anxiety

Anxiety affects 40 million people in the United States. It is extremely treatable, and there are 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, unlike benzodiazepines.

SSRIs

The most common anxiety medication is selective serotonin reuptake inhibits (SSRIs) comprising citalopram, escitalopram, and fluoxetine. These medications can also be used to treat depression and relieve symptoms of anxiety disorders such as obsessive compulsive disorder. It can take up to one month for them to start working.

These medications help by increasing the levels of certain chemical transmitters within the brain. This includes serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. These medications are typically the first choice for treating anxiety, although doctors may also prescribe other types of antidepressants and benzodiazepines.

Antidepressants, such as duloxetine (Cymbalta), and venlafaxine, (Effexor) are also used to treat anxiety. They differ from SSRIs because they decrease norepinephrine, but at a lower rate than SSRIs. These medicines may take some time to begin taking effects, and also are more expensive than SSRIs.

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

Benzodiazepines can be used treat anxiety and panic attacks in the short-term, while waiting for SSRIs and SNRIs. These medications can cause tolerance, sedation and addiction and withdrawal reactions that may cause depression, anxiety, and even delirium. Benzodiazepines can be found in alprazolam, clonazepam, and lorazepam.

Therapy is an essential part of any treatment for anxiety. It assists you to better understand your symptoms and their reasons. Many people find that both therapy and medication can help them manage their anxiety. Certain studies have proven that cognitive behavioral therapy is just as effective as anxiety medications. Talk to your doctor to find out what's best for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines produce a calming effect, decrease anxiety and relax tense muscles. They also reduce symptoms of bodily arousal related to fear (like heart rate and shaking) and encourage sleep.

The way they function is through binding to inhibitory neurotransmitters like gamma-aminobutryic acids or GABA and interacting with receptors in the central nervous system. They increase the effects of GABA by facilitating its inhibitory effect on other neurotransmitters while reducing the number of messages that are sent to the amygdala. which is the brain's region which detects threats and gives the sensation of fear.

These medicines are often taken for short durations, such as during a panic attack or severe anxiety episodes. They can help ease symptoms within 30 to 90 minutes after taking them. Contrary to SSRIs they don't stay in the body for a long time. They are fast acting and can work in a matter 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 generally only prescribed them for up to four weeks at one time. After that period they also become less effective.

One of the reasons benzodiazepines were so popular was they were efficient and had minimal side effects when compared with their predecessors, like meprobamate and barbiturates. They are effective and have a rapid onset, and can be employed as anxiolytics to decrease anxiety. They can also be used as sedatives, anticonvulsants and muscle relaxants.

Benzos are often blamed for the negative attitudes toward anxiety that emerged in the 1970s and 1980s, which included the trivialization of the disorder and the belief that benzodiazepine treatment causes physical dependence. Despite this the fact that benzodiazepines play a significant part in the treatment of anxiety disorders, especially when combined with psychosocial interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapies.

Benzos can interact with other drugs and cause undesirable side-effects such as drowsiness or confusion. It is recommended to inform your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription or herbal medications that you currently use or plan to take. You can find out which medications are safe to take with benzodiazepines by looking up the British National Formulary A-Z list for medication 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 ailments, too, such as eating disorders, certain types of pain, and bipolar disorder.

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SSRIs are often prescribed as a first-line treatment for anxiety by doctors, but they might not be effective for everyone. If they aren't working, doctors may consider a different type of antidepressant, known as tricyclic or tetracyclic antidepressants. These include amitriptyline or nortriptyline as well as clomipramine. They're less popular than the newer antidepressants, but still available. Your doctor can prescribe the sedating antidepressant trazodone (Desyrel) in lower doses for anxiety or sleep.

Nefazodone, a.k.a Ferdinand (Cymbalta) and duloxetine are also useful. These drugs are also available in generic forms. If they aren't helping your doctor, he may suggest the antipsychotics quetiapine or olanzapine or the sedative antidepressant Mirtazapine.

Other medications for anxiety disorders include beta blockers, which decrease the heart rate and blood pressure by blocking the actions of adrenaline. These medications aren't typically used for anxiety alone however they can be helpful when combined with psychotherapy.

Psychological therapy can help you to change negative thoughts and behaviors that cause anxiety. It can teach you to manage your anxiety and teach you strategies for coping. Based on the severity of your situation, exposure therapy or cognitive behavior therapy may be recommended. Cognitive behavioural therapy can help you learn to challenge unhelpful thoughts, fearful thoughts and to overcome avoidance of situations that trigger your anxiety. Exposure therapy is the process of increasing the level of anxiety provoking situations until they become manageable. This can be done individually or in small groups. In both instances, results can take a while to show. A combination of medication and psychotherapy therapy is the best choice for some people. Some people discover that medications alone are sufficient to treat their symptoms. Discuss with your doctor how you manage your symptoms.

Other Medications

Other medications can aid in relieving your symptoms. Antihistamines and beta blockers are often prescribed to ease anxiety.

These drugs correct an imbalance in your brain's chemical balance and can help alleviate symptoms by reducing or blocking signals that can cause anxiety and stress. They are not a panacea. You'll still have to do other things to reduce your anxiety, including physical exercise, relaxation techniques, and psychotherapy.

SSRIs or SNRIs are your first choice of anxiety medications that your doctor might prescribe. These are the most effective drugs to treat anxiety disorders, according to research studies. The most commonly used SSRIs include sertraline (Zoloft) as well as the fluoxetine (Prozac) and citalopram (Celexa), and escitalopram (Lexapro). 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 your risk for suicidal ideas.

The benzodiazepines, alprazolam, diazepoxide, and clonazepam (Valium) offer immediate relief from panic and anxiety attacks. However, they could cause side effects, such as dizziness and drowsiness. They may also cause memory and coordination issues, and may even cause dependence. They're a less popular choice over the more traditional barbiturates but are just as effective.

Antihistamines like Vistaril (hydroxyzine) were designed to help with allergies, but they're also sometimes employed to alleviate anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine blocks the histamine receptors in the brain and may cause an energizing effect. https://www.iampsychiatry.com/anxiety-treatment 's not a controlled drug which means it doesn't carry the same dangers of addiction as benzodiazepines.

Another type of medication that can help with anxiety is a class called anticonvulsants. They've been shown to relieve anxiety by affecting the release and production of serotonin and dopamine. They can be prescribed in conjunction with other medicines or as a short-term treatment for anxiety. Your doctor will review your medical history and symptoms to determine if these medicines are suitable for you. They'll also discuss the length of time you should be taking them and any potential adverse effects. Anxiety medications can only be purchased on prescription, which means you'll need to visit a psychiatrist to get these medications.