Meds That Treat Anxiety
Anxiety is one of the most prevalent mental health conditions which affects more than 40 million people in the United States. It's highly 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. Unlike benzodiazepines, they're not 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 are also used to treat depression as well as relieve symptoms of anxiety disorders like obsessive compulsive disorder. They may take up to a month to start working.
These drugs work by boosting the levels of certain chemical messengers in the brain, such as serotonin and norepinephrine. They are usually the first option for anxiety, but doctors may also prescribe other kinds of antidepressants and benzodiazepines.
Another class of antidepressants called serotonin and norepinephrine receptor inhibitors (SNRIs) such as duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor) are used to treat anxiety. They operate a bit differently from SSRIs in that they reduce the reabsorption rate of norepinephrine and serotonin, though at lower levels than SSRIs. These medications take a lengthy time to be effective and are more expensive than SSRIs.
Tricyclic antidepressants, like imipramine Tofranil can be effective in treating anxiety disorders. However, their drowsiness and other adverse effects make them less popular. Another form of antidepressant is monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), can also be used to combat anxiety. Their high toxicity risk and the restriction on dietary intake limit their use.
Benzodiazepines are frequently used to treat panic attacks and anxiety in the short term, such as when waiting for SSRIs or SNRIs to begin working. These medications can cause dependence tolerance, sedation, and tolerance and withdrawal symptoms such as a rebound anxiety, depression and delirium. Benzodiazepines are commonly found in alprazolam as well as clonazepam and lorazepam.
Therapy is a crucial component of an anxiety treatment plan because it allows you to discover more about the symptoms and their root causes. Many people discover that both therapy and medication help them manage their anxiety. Some studies suggest that cognitive behavior therapy is just as effective as medication for anxiety. Talk to your doctor about your options and what could be the best choice for you.
generalized anxiety treatment have a calming effect, reduce anxiety and relax tense muscle. They also relieve symptoms of bodily stress 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 acid at receptors in the central nervous system. They enhance GABA's effects by facilitating the inhibitory effects of GABA on other neurotransmitters and reducing the number of messages sent to the amygdala. This is a part of the brain that is able to detect the threat and triggers a feeling of fear.
These medications are typically employed for short periods of time, such as during a panic attack or severe anxiety attack. They can help ease symptoms within 30 to 90 minutes of taking them. Contrary to SSRIs they don't stay in the body for very long. They are fast-acting and often take effect in just a couple of hours, making them suitable for situations where you require quick relief (like during a flight or before an address in public).
They can be addictive, so people are generally only prescribed them for up to 4 weeks at each time. After that they lose their effectiveness.
One of the reasons why benzodiazepines are so well-known is that they are efficient and have few adverse effects when compared to their predecessors such as barbiturates and meprobamate. They are fast in the onset of action and are very useful as anxiolytics (anti-anxiety) as well as sedatives and anticonvulsants and as muscle relaxants.
Benzos are often blamed for the negative attitudes toward anxiety that developed in the 1970s and 1980s, including the stigmatization of anxiety and the belief that benzodiazepine treatment can lead to physical dependence. Despite this, benzodiazepines continue to play a major role in the treatment for anxiety disorders, especially when combined with psychosocial interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy or interpersonal therapies.
Benzos can interact with other medications and cause unwanted side-effects, such as drowsiness or confusion. You should tell your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription, or herbal medications that you currently use or plan to take. Take a look at the British National Formulary A to Z list of interactions with medications to find out which medications are safe with benzodiazepines.
Antidepressants
Antidepressants are effective in treating anxiety and other mental disorders. 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 a variety of antidepressants for other health conditions, too, such as eating disorders, certain kinds of pain and bipolar disorder.
Most doctors prescribe SSRIs as a first-line treatment for anxiety, but these medications might not be effective for everyone. If these antidepressants aren't working, the doctor may try an older type known as a tetracyclic, or tricyclic antidepressant. These include amitriptyline or nortriptyline and clomipramine. They're not as popular as the latest antidepressants, but still accessible. You can also ask your physician to prescribe the sedating antidepressant trazodone(Desyrel) in lower doses in case you are having sleep problems or anxiety.
Nefazodone, a.k.a Ferdinand (Cymbalta) and duloxetine may also be helpful. These drugs are also available in generic form. If they do not work, your doctor can try the tranquilizing antidepressant mirtazapine (Remeron) or the antipsychotics quetiapine or olanzapine.
Treatments for other anxiety disorders include beta blockers that reduce the heart rate and blood pressure by blocking the action of adrenaline. These drugs are not usually used to treat anxiety on their own, but they can be effective when used in conjunction with psychotherapy.
Psychotherapy can help you to change negative thoughts and behaviors that cause anxiety. It can help you control your anxiety and learn how to cope. Depending on the severity of your situation, exposure therapy or cognitive behavior therapy could be suggested. Cognitive behavioral therapy teaches you to challenge negative and fearful thoughts and overcome your avoidance of situations which trigger anxiety. Exposure therapy involves increasing the intensity of anxiety-inducing situations until they are manageable. It can be done either individually or in small groups. In both instances it takes time to demonstrate results. Some people believe that the combination of medication and psychotherapy is the best option. Some people find that taking medication alone is sufficient to treat symptoms. Discuss with your doctor how you manage your symptoms.
Other Medications
Other medications can help alleviate your symptoms. Beta blockers and antihistamines are sometimes prescribed to relieve anxiety.
These drugs can help you alleviate your symptoms by reducing or blocking signals that trigger anxiety and stress. However, they'ren't the only solution. You'll still have to do other things to reduce your anxiety, like physical exercise or relaxation techniques, as well as psychotherapy.
SSRIs or SNRIs are the first choice of anxiety medication that your doctor may prescribe. These are the most effective drugs to treat anxiety disorders, according to research studies. Common SSRIs include sertraline (Zoloft) as well as the fluoxetine (Prozac) and Citropram (Celexa), and escitalopram (Lexapro). These medications may cause minor side effects, such as insomnia and nausea, however they usually disappear within 4-8 weeks. They aren't addictive, and they do not increase the risk of suicidal thoughts.
The benzodiazepines such as alprazolam clonazepam, and diazepoxide, (Valium), provide immediate relief from anxiety and panic attacks. However, they may cause side effects, such as drowsiness and dizziness. They can also cause memory and coordination issues, and may even cause dependence. They're less well-known over the more traditional barbiturates but are just as effective.
Antihistamines such as Vistaril (hydroxyzine) were initially designed to help with allergies. However they can also be used to ease anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine has a calming affect by blocking histamine receptors. It is not a controlled substance, so it does not have the same risk of addiction as benzodiazepines.
Another type of medication that can aid with anxiety is a class called anticonvulsants. They've been shown to ease anxiety by affecting the release and production of serotonin and dopamine. They may be prescribed in conjunction with other medicines or as a short-term treatment for anxiety. Your doctor will examine your health history and symptoms to determine if these medications are suitable for you. They'll also discuss how long you should be taking them and any possible negative side effects. Anxiety medications can only be purchased with a prescription, so you'll need to see an astrologer to obtain them.