What Is Treat Anxiety And Why Is Everyone Speakin' About It?

Meds That Treat Anxiety

Anxiety affects 40 million people in the United States. There are a variety of medications available to treat it.

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. In contrast to benzodiazepines, they're addictive.

SSRIs

The most commonly used anxiety medications are selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro) and fluoxetine (Prozac). These medications are also used to treat depression and relieve symptoms of other anxiety disorders such as obsessive compulsive disorder. It could take up to a month to begin working.

These medications help by increasing the levels of certain chemical transmitters that are present in the brain. This includes serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. These drugs are usually the first option to treat anxiety, although doctors may also prescribe other kinds of antidepressants and benzodiazepines.

Another class of antidepressants, known as serotonin and norepinephrine receptor inhibitors (SNRIs) such as duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor), are also used to treat anxiety. They operate a bit differently from SSRIs in that they reduce the reabsorption rate of norepinephrine and serotonin, although at lower levels than SSRIs. These medications may take a few days to take effects, and they are more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants like imipramine Tofranil, can be effective in treating anxiety disorders. Their drowsiness, and other side effects make them less popular. Monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs) are another kind of antidepressant used to treat anxiety. However, their restrictions on diet and the risk of toxicity limit their use.

Benzodiazepines are frequently used to combat anxiety and panic attacks in the short term, such as when waiting for SSRIs or SNRIs to kick in. These medications can cause tolerance addiction, sedation, and withdrawal reactions that can cause rebound anxiety, depression and even delirium. Benzodiazepines are typically found in alprazolam, clonazepam, as well as lorazepam.

Therapy is an essential part of any treatment plan for anxiety. It assists you to better know your symptoms and their root causes. Many people find that therapy and medication both aid in coping. In fact, some studies suggest that cognitive behavior therapy is just as effective as medication for anxiety. Talk with your physician about your options and determine what might be best for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines have a calming affect they reduce anxiety and relax muscles that are tight. They also alleviate symptoms of bodily stress related to fear (like heart rate or trembling) and help promote sleep.

The way they function is through binding to inhibitory neurotransmitters like gamma-aminobutryic acids or GABA, at receptors in the central nervous system. They increase the effects of GABA by activating its inhibitory effect on other neurotransmitters and decreasing the number of messages that are sent to the amygdala. an area of the brain that detects threats and creates the sensation of fear.

These medications can be used for short durations of time for instance, when a panic attack occurs or when you experience extreme anxiety. They can help relieve symptoms in 30 to 60 minutes. In contrast to SSRIs, benzodiazepines don't remain in the body for long. They're fast-acting and usually take effect in just a couple of hours, which makes them ideal for situations where immediate relief is required (like on a plane flight or before giving an address in public).

Since they are addictive, patients are typically prescribed up to four weeks at a time. They also lose effectiveness after a period of time.

One of the reasons why benzodiazepines are so popular is because they are safe and have fewer adverse effects when compared to their predecessors like barbiturates and meprobamate. They are efficient 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 have been blamed for the negative perceptions of anxiety that developed in the 1970s and 1980s, including the stigmatization of anxiety and the belief that benzodiazepine treatment leads to physical dependence. However, they continue to play an important role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, especially when used in conjunction with psychosocial interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy.

Benzos can interact with other drugs and cause undesirable side-effects such as drowsiness, confusion or drowsiness. It is important to inform your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription or herbal medications that you currently use or are planning to take. Go through the British National Formulary A to Z list of medication interactions to find out which medications are safe with benzodiazepines.

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 for other health conditions, such as eating disorders, bipolar disorder and certain kinds of pain.

SSRIs are usually prescribed as a first-line treatment option for anxiety by doctors, however they might not be effective for everyone. If they don't work doctors can consider a different type of antidepressant, known as tricyclic or tetracyclic an antidepressant. These include amitriptyline or nortriptyline and Clomipramine. They're less common than newer antidepressants, yet they're still readily available.  I Am Psychiatry  may also ask your doctor to prescribe the sedating antidepressant, trazodone(Desyrel) at lower doses if you're experiencing anxiety or sleep problems.

Nefazodone, also known as Ferdinand (Cymbalta), and duloxetine can also be helpful. These medications are also available in generic forms. If they don't work your doctor, you can try the antipsychotics quetiapine and olanzapine or the sedative antidepressant Mirtazapine.

Beta blockers are used to treat anxiety disorders. They lower blood pressure and heart rate by blocking adrenaline. These medications are not typically used to treat anxiety by themselves however they can be effective if coupled with psychotherapy.

Psychological therapy can help you change negative thoughts and behavior patterns that contribute to your 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 behavioral therapy may be recommended. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps you to overcome unhelpful and fearful thoughts, and to overcome your aversion to situations which trigger anxiety. Exposure therapy involves gradually increasing the intensity of anxiety-provoking situations until you are able to handle the stressors. This can be done individually or in a small group. In both instances, the results can take a while to show. Some people believe that a combination of medication and psychotherapy is the best option. Others find that medication alone is enough to manage their symptoms. It's important to tell your doctor about the things you're doing to control your symptoms.

Other Medications

Other medications can also help relieve your symptoms. Beta blockers, antihistamines, and buspirone are often prescribed to alleviate anxiety.

These drugs correct an imbalance in the brain's chemicals and can help alleviate symptoms by reducing or blocking signals that trigger stress and fear. They are not a panacea. You will still have to take steps to manage anxiety, including physical exercise, relaxation techniques and psychological therapy.

SSRIs or SNRIs are your first choice of anxiety medication that your doctor can prescribe. According to research, these drugs are the most effective in treating anxiety disorders. Common SSRIs include sertraline (Zoloft) as well as fluoxetine (Prozac), Citropram (Celexa), and escitalopram (Lexapro). These medications may cause mild side effects such as insomnia and nausea, but these tend to subside within 4-8 weeks. Unlike the benzodiazepines, they're not addictive and don't increase your risk for suicidal ideas.

The benzodiazepines alprazolam (Xanax), Clonazepam (Klonopin), and diazepoxide (Valium) provide immediate relief from anxiety and panic attacks however they can also cause adverse effects, such as dizziness, drowsiness, memory and coordination issues, and dependence. These medications are less well-known than older barbiturates, however they are equally effective.

Antihistamines, such as Vistaril (hydroxyzine) were initially developed to relieve allergies. However, they are also used to ease anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine blocks histamine receptors in the brain, and can trigger an energizing effect. It is not a controlled drug and doesn't have the same addiction risks as benzodiazepines.

Anticonvulsants are an additional kind of medication that can be used to treat anxiety. They have been shown to reduce anxiety by blocking the production and release dopamine and sérotonin. These medications are often prescribed as a part of an integrated therapy or to treat anxiety in the short term. Your doctor will review your medical history and symptoms to determine if these medicines are suitable for you. They will also discuss the duration of time you should take these medications and any negative side effects that might occur. Anxiety medications are only available through prescription, so it is necessary to see a psychiatrist to prescribe it.