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Medications to Treat Anxiety

Therapy is the most effective method to reduce anxiety, but sometimes, a short-term course of medication is required. Antidepressants and tranquilizers are among the medications that can be utilized to treat anxiety.

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

SSRIs

SSRIs are the first line of medication doctors prescribe to treat anxiety disorders. They prevent neurons in the brain from absorbing serotonin a chemical that plays a key role in regulating mood. The medications take a while to work, but most people are better after four to six weeks. SSRIs aren't habit-forming and will not cause addiction, which means they can be taken for extended durations of time.

Another type of antidepressant, SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), also treats depression and anxiety. These SNRIs include citalopram and escitalopram and fluoxetine (Prozac) as well as paraxetine (Paxil) and sertraline. Tricyclic antidepressants, such as imipramine (Tofranil) and doxepine and Anxiety Disorder stimulant are also used to treat anxiety and depression. Novel antidepressants such as mirtazapine (Remeron) are also used to treat anxiety disorders.

Doctors aren't sure the function of SNRIs and SSRIs but they do know that they increase the activity of chemical messengers known as neurotransmitters in the brain. They stop the brain from absorbing chemicals and allow these substances to interact with receptors.

SSRIs are used to treat generalized anxiety disorder, GAD; obsessive-compulsive disorder, OCD; panic disorder/agoraphobia; and posttraumatic stress disorder, PTSD. They may also help with bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder, but this is not as common.

Atypical antipsychotic medications can be prescribed to patients with anxiety who do not respond to SSRIs. Examples include quetiapine (Abilify), and aripiprazole (Risperdal). These drugs reduce anxiety in people with obsessive compulsive disorder. They are usually given in combination with an antidepressant. They also are less likely to cause serious adverse effects than other kinds of antipsychotics.

Beta-blockers can also be prescribed to treat anxiety, and heart conditions. Propranolol and Atenolol are two examples. They can help reduce the physical symptoms of anxiety, specifically for those suffering from social anxiety disorder. They can be useful in reducing anxiety, especially before or after surgery. The benzodiazepines, such as lorazepam (Ativan) can be used to control symptoms when other medicines aren't working. The use of benzodiazepines can become addictive and can be habit-forming.

SNRIs





SNRIs are another type of antidepressant medications that are often prescribed to treat anxiety. They work similarly to SSRIs but they also increase the availability of serotonin and norepinephrine within the brain. This means that they are usually more effective at treating certain kinds of anxiety disorders, including social anxiety disorder and panic disorder. Like other medications, these are most effective when they are combined with talk therapy and other treatment strategies.

Contrary to benzodiazepines, SNRIs aren't a dependence or addiction for the majority of people. However, some patients might experience withdrawal when discontinuing the medication after a lengthy period of use. This is why it is crucial to talk with your doctor before stopping any medication.

Serotonin and norepinephrine are neurotransmitters responsible for mood and stress responses. They play a crucial part in the fight or flight response that many anxiety sufferers experience. By preventing the reuptake process, SNRIs block nerve cells from rapidly absorbing these neurotransmitters. They hold these chemicals in the body for longer periods of time and can improve mood, reduce anxiety, and even help with anxiety attacks.

Norepinephrine is also crucial for anxiety as it stimulates the amygdala, a deep and fundamental part of the brain associated with fear-related behaviour. SNRIs reduce the activity in this part of the brain. This can improve mood, anxiety, and even alleviate panic attacks.

These drugs are extremely beneficial however they can increase suicidal thinking in some people. Because of this, they are typically prescribed in higher doses for a short time. In addition, these medicines can interact with several other medications and substances. If you're taking any other prescription or over-the-counter medication, make sure to discuss this with your physician and keep them informed of any underlying medical conditions you suffer from, especially heart problems and bleeding disorders. Be aware that some patients experience adverse reactions to SNRIs such as dry mouth and nausea.

Benzodiazepines

Benzos, also known as benzodiazepines or benzos, as they're commonly referred to -- are medications that act quickly that help reduce anxiety and anxiety-related symptoms such as muscle tension and insomnia. Some people with anxiety disorders like social anxiety or panic disorder might find them beneficial particularly if they have not been able to respond to other treatments, such as SSRIs and psychotherapy. They can be utilized as a temporary solution as you wait for your antidepressant medication to begin to work. The medications diazepam (Valium) and lorazepam (Ativan) are the most commonly used benzos, although other benzos include Clonazepam (Rivotril), temazepam (Restoril) and flurazepam (Dalmane).

Because they're fast-acting drugs, they generally start to work within 30 minutes. They don't last for long in the body, which is why you must take them regularly to reap the benefits. Benzos taken for long periods of time can result in addiction and physical dependence, so they should be used only for the most brief period of time. Benzos are not recommended by people with anxiety or depression disorders since they can increase the risk.

People who take benzos for an extended period with no medical supervision and often without the direction of a doctor, could develop a condition known as sedative-use disorders, which include withdrawal symptoms and addiction. This problem is rare in those who take benzos as prescribed. Benzo abuse is usually the result of other causes like alcohol abuse or depression.

The tolerance to benzodiazepines may develop when they are taken for a long time. Tolerance means that you require more medication to achieve the same effects. In some cases this could lead to respiratory depression, coma and death. Even if you are taking benzodiazepines for a prolonged period of time, it is essential to adhere to the prescription.

Other Medical Treatments

SSRIs and SNRIs are the primary medications doctors will usually prescribe for anxiety. They affect serotonin, which influences mood, appetite, and sleep. It can take up to 12 weeks to begin working and may cause negative effects like nausea or insomnia. SSRIs are also used to treat mental disorders like depression, panic disorder, and obsessive compulsive disorder. Contrary to benzodiazepines, antidepressants do not cause physical dependence. However, they may cause withdrawal symptoms if they are abruptly stopped.

The medicines in this class include sertraline (Zoloft) as well as fluoroquinol (Prozac) and citalopram (Celexa). anxiety disorder treatments at home can be used on their own or in combination with therapy. Antidepressants are prescribed by psychiatrists, psychologists or family physicians who have specialized expertise in the field of medication management.

Doctors may prescribe a class called monoamine-oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) as an antidepressant. These drugs inhibit the action of certain enzymes which break down chemicals like serotonin and norepinephrine, and dopamine. MAOIs can take up to four weeks to start working however, they aren't as fast-acting than SSRIs.

Clonidine is a different medication that can be used to manage anxiety. It is often used to treat anxiety but it is also used to control blood pressure. Its effectiveness is limited because of side effects like hypotension and sedation. Doctors can prescribe antihistamines such as hydroxyzine, to reduce symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks. They also can reduce the effectiveness of benzodiazepines in some patients.

Anxiety is often treated with a combination of psychotherapy, exercise and medication. The most effective approach is working with a therapist who specializes in treating anxiety disorders. They can help you work through the underlying causes of your anxiety and suggest strategies for managing it without medication, if necessary. Other options for treating anxiety that don't require medication include eye movement desensitization, mindfulness meditation and trauma-informed Yoga. Talk to your therapist about how to determine the most effective options for you. Psychiatrists are trained to analyze your symptoms and medical history and develop an anxiety treatment plan that works for you. They will consider your specific diagnosis, lifestyle, medical history and preferences when preparing the plan and will make adjustments to it over time.