The-UnderAppreciated-Benefits-Of-Treat-Anxiety-y

Meds That Treat Anxiety

Anxiety affects 40 million people in the United States. It is extremely treatable, and there are 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 common anxiety medications are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro) and fluoxetine (Prozac). These medications can also help with depression, and can help relieve the symptoms of other anxiety disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It can take up one month for them to begin working.

These drugs work by boosting the production of certain chemical messengers within the brain, including serotonin and norepinephrine. They're typically the first treatment option for anxiety, though doctors may also prescribe other kinds of antidepressants and benzodiazepines.

Another class of antidepressants, known as serotonin and norepinephrine-reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) like duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor) are used to treat anxiety. They differ from SSRIs because they decrease norepinephrine but at a lower degree than SSRIs. These medicines take a long time to work and are more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants like imipramine Tofranil are effective in treating anxiety disorders. Their drowsiness, along with other adverse effects are what make them less well-liked. Another form of antidepressant is monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs), can also be used to combat anxiety. However, their dietary restrictions and high risk of toxicity limit their use.

Benzodiazepines are often used to combat anxiety and panic attacks in the short-term like when you wait for SSRIs or SNRIs to take effect. These medications can cause tolerance and addiction, sedation and apathy as well as withdrawal reactions that may cause depression, anxiety, and even delirium. Benzodiazepines are commonly found in alprazolam, clonazepam, and lorazepam.

Therapy is an important part of an anxiety treatment plan as it can help you understand your symptoms and their causes. Many people find that medication and therapy both help them cope. Some studies suggest that cognitive behavior therapy is as effective as medications for anxiety. Speak to your doctor to find out what's right for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines have a calming effect, decrease anxiety and relax tense muscles. They also alleviate symptoms of fear-related bodily stimulation (like heart racing or trembling) and encourage sleep.

They work by binding to inhibitory neurons, such as GABA or gamma aminobutryic acids at receptors in the central nervous system. They boost the effects of GABA by facilitating the inhibitory effects of GABA on other neurotransmitters, and decreasing the amount of messages that are sent to the amygdala. This is a part of the brain that evaluates the threat and triggers a feeling of anxiety.

These drugs can be used for short periods of time, such as when a panic attack occurs or if you are experiencing extreme anxiety. They may relieve symptoms within 30 to 60 minutes. Benzodiazepines are, in contrast to SSRIs don't stay in the body long. They're fast-acting and usually work in a matter of hours, making them suitable for situations in which you require quick relief (like on a plane flight or before giving an address in public).

They are addictive, which is why people are usually prescribed them for a maximum of 4 weeks at each time. After that they also cease to be effective.





One of the reasons the benzodiazepines became so well-known is they were efficient and had minimal side effects, when compared to their predecessors, such as meprobamate or barbiturates. 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 are often blamed for the negative attitudes toward anxiety that developed in the 1970s and 1980s, which included the trivialization of the disorder and the perception that benzodiazepine treatment can lead to physical dependence. However they still play a crucial role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, specifically in conjunction with psychosocial interventions like cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy.

Benzos may interact with other medications and trigger undesirable side effects such as drowsiness and disorientation. You should tell your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription or herbal medicines you are currently taking or plan to take. pediatric anxiety treatment can determine which medications are safe to use with benzodiazepines by checking the British National Formulary A-Z list of 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 antidepressants for other health issues, such as eating disorders, bipolar disorder and certain types of pain.

SSRIs are often prescribed as a first-line treatment for anxiety by doctors, but they might not be effective for everyone. If the antidepressants do not work doctors may suggest an older form of medication called a tetracyclic or tricyclic antidepressant. These include amitriptyline and nortriptyline and Clomipramine. These antidepressants are less common but still readily available. You can also ask your doctor to prescribe the sedating antidepressant trazodone(Desyrel) at lower doses in case you are having sleep problems or anxiety.

Other antidepressants that may help are nefazodone (Ferdinand) and duloxetine (Cymbalta). These drugs are also available in generic forms. If they aren't working, your physician might suggest a tranquilizing antidepressant mirtazapine (Remeron) or the antipsychotics quetiapine and olanzapine.

Beta blockers are used to treat other anxiety disorders. They lower heart rate and blood pressure by blocking adrenaline. These drugs aren't usually used to treat anxiety by themselves however they can be beneficial when paired with psychological therapy.

Psychotherapy can assist you to alter negative thoughts and behaviors that cause anxiety. It can teach you to control your anxiety and learn coping skills. Depending on your health condition, you could be treated with cognitive behavioural therapy or exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioural therapy helps you learn to challenge unhelpful thoughts, fears and avoidance of situations that trigger anxiety. Exposure therapy involves gradually increasing the intensity of anxiety-provoking situations until you are able to manage them. This can be done in a single session or in small groups. In both instances it takes time to demonstrate results. Some people believe that a combination of psychotherapy and medication is the best choice. Some people find that medication alone is sufficient to treat symptoms. Inform your doctor about how you manage your symptoms.

Other Medical Treatments

While benzodiazepines and antidepressants are the most common treatment for anxiety, other drugs can help alleviate your symptoms too. Antihistamines and beta blockers are often prescribed to alleviate anxiety.

These drugs correct an imbalance in your brain chemicals and can help ease your symptoms by lowering or blocking the signals that can cause stress and fear. They're not a panacea. You'll still need to do things to reduce anxiety, like physical exercise relaxation techniques, relaxation techniques and psychological therapy.

Your doctor may initially prescribe one of the "first choices" anxiety medication, which includes SSRIs and SNRIs. These are the most effective medications for treating anxiety disorders, according to research studies. The most commonly used SSRIs include sertraline (Zoloft) as well as the fluoxetine (Prozac), citalopram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro). These medications may cause minor side effects, such as insomnia and nausea, but they usually disappear within 4-8 weeks. Unlike the benzodiazepines, they're not addictive and won't increase your risk of having suicidal ideas.

The benzodiazepines alprazolam (Xanax) as well as clonazepam (Klonopin), and diazepoxide (Valium) offer immediate relief for anxiety and panic attacks, but they can have side effects, including drowsiness, dizziness, memory and coordination issues, as well as 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 also serve to ease anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine has a calming affect by blocking histamine receptors. It's not a controlled drug and therefore doesn't carry the same risks of addiction as benzodiazepines.

Anticonvulsants are a different type of medication which can help with anxiety. They have been shown to reduce anxiety by blocking the production and release of dopamine and sérotonin. They can be prescribed in combination with other medications or as a short-term treatment for anxiety. Your doctor will assess your symptoms and health history to determine if these drugs are suitable for you. They will also discuss the duration of time you should take these medicines and any potential adverse effects that could occur. Anxiety medications are only available on prescription, and it is necessary to see a psychiatrist to prescribe it.