Meds That Treat Anxiety
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health conditions, affecting 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, as are benzodiazepines.
SSRIs
The most commonly used anxiety medication is selective serotonin reuptake inhibits (SSRIs), including citalopram, escitalopram, and fluoxetine. These medications also help with depression, and can help relieve the symptoms of other anxiety disorders, like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). They can take up to a month to begin to work.
They work by increasing the amount of certain chemical transmitters that are present in the brain. This includes serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. They are usually the first option for anxiety, however doctors also employ other kinds 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 because they decrease norepinephrine, however at a lower degree than SSRIs. These medications take a long time to be effective and are more expensive than SSRIs.
Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) such as imipramine (Tofranil) can be effective in treating certain anxiety disorders, notably GAD. Their drowsiness, and other side effects, make them less popular. Monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs) are another kind of antidepressant used to combat anxiety. However, their dietary restrictions and high risk of toxicity restrict their use.
Benzodiazepines are used to treat anxiety and panic attacks in the short-term while waiting for SSRIs and SNRIs. These drugs can lead to dependence, tolerance, and sedation and withdrawal symptoms like a rebound anxiety, depression, and delirium. Common benzodiazepines include alprazolam (Xanax), Clonazepam (Klonopin) and lorazepam (Ativan).
Therapy is a crucial component of an anxiety treatment plan because it allows you to discover more about the symptoms and the causes. Many people find that both therapy and medication aid them cope with anxiety. In fact, some studies suggest that cognitive behavior therapy works just as well as medications for anxiety. Talk to your doctor to determine what is the best option for you.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines have an calming effect, which can reduce anxiety and relax muscles that are tense. They also ease symptoms of fear-related bodily arousal (like heart rate and shaking) and encourage sleep.
They work by binding inhibitory neurons, like GABA or gamma aminobutryic acid and bind to receptors in the central nervous system. They increase the effects of GABA by increasing its inhibitory effects on other neurotransmitters, and reducing the number of messages that are sent to the amygdala. which is the brain's region that assesses threats and produces the feeling of fear.
These medications are sometimes taken for short durations for instance, during a panic attack or severe anxiety episode. They may relieve symptoms within 30 to 60 minutes. Contrary to SSRIs, benzodiazepines don't remain in the body for long. They are fast acting and can work within a couple of hours. This makes them perfect for situations in which quick relief is required (such as during a flight or before giving a presentation in public).
Because they can be addictive, people are usually prescribed for a period of up to four weeks at a go. After that they become less effective.
One of the main reasons why benzodiazepines are so popular is that they are safe and have minimal adverse effects when compared to their predecessors like barbiturates and meprobamate. They have a quick time to begin their 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 emerged in the 1970s and 80s and included the denial of the disorder, and the belief that benzodiazepine treatment result in physical dependence. Yet however, benzodiazepines still play a major role in the treatment for anxiety disorders, especially when combined with psychosocial interventions like cognitive behavioral therapy and other interpersonal therapies.
Benzos can interact with other medications and trigger undesirable side effects, like drowsiness or confusion. It's important to let your doctor know about any other prescription, non-prescription, or herbal medications you are considering or taking. Take a look at the British National Formulary A to Z list of medication interactions to find out what medications are safe with benzodiazepines.
Antidepressants
Antidepressants can be effective in treating anxiety and other mental conditions. According to holistic treatment for anxiety Iampsychiatry 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 for other health conditions, such as eating disorders, bipolar disorder, and certain types of pain.
Most doctors prescribe SSRIs as the first line treatment for anxiety, however these drugs may not be appropriate for all people. If they don't work doctors might look at the more traditional antidepressant, known as tricyclic or tetracyclic an antidepressant. This includes amitriptyline, nortriptyline, clomipramine and trimipramine, doxepin and dothiepin or imipramine. These antidepressants are not as popular but are still accessible. You may also ask your doctor to prescribe the sedating antidepressant trazodone(Desyrel) at lower doses if you're experiencing anxiety or sleep problems.
Nefazodone, a.k.a Ferdinand (Cymbalta), and duloxetine can also be beneficial. These medications are also available in generic forms. If they don't help your doctor, you can try the antipsychotics quetiapine and olanzapine or the tranquilizing antidepressant Mirtazapine.
Other medications for anxiety disorders include beta blockers that reduce the blood pressure and heart rate by blocking the actions of adrenaline. These drugs aren't usually used to treat anxiety by themselves, but can be helpful when used in conjunction with psychotherapy.
Psychological therapy can help you overcome negative thoughts and behaviors that cause anxiety. It can help you to manage your anxiety and develop coping skills. Based on the severity of your situation, exposure therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy might be recommended. Cognitive behavioural therapy helps you overcome negative thoughts, fearful thoughts and to overcome avoidance of situations that trigger anxiety. Exposure therapy involves increasing the anxiety-inducing situations until they become manageable. This can be done in a single session or in a small group. In both instances, it takes time to achieve results. Some people believe that a combination of psychotherapy and medication is the best choice. Others find that medication alone is sufficient to control their symptoms. It's important to tell your doctor what you're doing to manage your symptoms.
Other Medicines
Although benzodiazepines and antidepressants are the most frequently prescribed treatment for anxiety, other drugs can help alleviate your symptoms too. Beta blockers, antihistamines and buspirone are all prescribed to ease anxiety.
These drugs correct an imbalance in your brain chemicals and can help ease your symptoms by lowering or blocking signals that cause you stress and fear. They are not a panacea. You'll need to do things to manage anxiety, including physical exercise as well as relaxation techniques, and psychological therapy.
SSRIs or SNRIs are the most commonly prescribed anxiety medications that your doctor might prescribe. According to research, these drugs are the most effective in treating anxiety disorders. SSRIs are typically found in sertraline (Zoloft), fluoxetine, citalopram, and escitalopram. These medications might have minor side effects, like insomnia or nausea, but they usually subside within 4-8 weeks. In contrast to benzodiazepines, these are not addictive and do not increase the risk of suicidal thoughts.
The benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam, diazepoxide and clonazepam (Valium) are a quick 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. They're not as popular than the barbiturates of the past, but are just as efficient.
Antihistamines like Vistaril (hydroxyzine) were originally created to treat allergies. However, they are also used to alleviate anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine may have a relaxing effect by blocking the histamine receptors. It is not a controlled drug and doesn't have the same risk of addiction as benzodiazepines.
Anticonvulsants are an additional type of medication which can be used to treat anxiety. They have been shown to reduce anxiety by inhibiting the production of and release of dopamine as well as sérotonin. These medications are often prescribed as a part of a combination therapy or used to treat anxiety in the short-term. Your doctor will review your health history and symptoms to determine if these medicines are appropriate for you. They'll also discuss how long you should be taking them and any possible negative side effects. Anxiety medications are only available on prescription, which means you'll need to visit an astrologer to obtain them.