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Meds That Treat Anxiety

Anxiety affects more than 40 million adults in the United States. A variety of medications are available to treat anxiety.

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, unlike benzodiazepines.

SSRIs

The most common anxiety medication is selective serotonin inhibits (SSRIs) which include citalopram, escitalopram, and fluoxetine. These medications also help with depression, and can ease the symptoms of anxiety disorders, like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). They can take up to a month before they start working.

These drugs work by boosting the production of certain chemical messengers in the brain, including serotonin and norepinephrine. These drugs are usually the first choice for treating anxiety, but doctors can also prescribe other kinds of antidepressants and benzodiazepines.

Antidepressants such as duloxetine, (Cymbalta), and venlafaxine, (Effexor) are also used to treat anxiety. They differ from SSRIs as they reduce norepinephrine, but at a lower rate than SSRIs. These medications take a lengthy time to work and are more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants like imipramine Tofranil are effective for treating anxiety disorders. However, their drowsiness and other adverse effects make them less popular. Another type of antidepressant, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) can be used to combat anxiety. Their high toxicity risk and restrictions on diets limit their use.

Benzodiazepines are used to combat panic attacks and anxiety in the short-term in the meantime, while waiting for SSRIs and SNRIs. These medications can trigger addiction, tolerance, and sedation, as well as withdrawal symptoms such as a rebound anxiety, depression and delirium. Benzodiazepines can be found in alprazolam, clonazepam, and lorazepam.

Therapy is a crucial component of any anxiety treatment plan. It aids you in better understand your symptoms and their causes. Many people find that medication and therapy both help them cope. Some studies have shown that cognitive behavioral therapy can be just as effective as anxiety medications. Talk with your physician about your options and which is the best option for you.

Benzodiazepines

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

The way they work is through binding to inhibitory neurotransmitters, such as gamma-aminobutryic acid or GABA which is a receptor in the central nervous system. They enhance GABA's effects by facilitating the inhibitory effect of GABA on other neurotransmitters and decreasing the amount of messages sent to the amygdala. It is a part of the brain that is able to detect threats and produces a feeling of anxiety.

These medications are typically taken for short durations for instance, during a panic attack or severe anxiety episode. They can help relieve symptoms in 30 to 60 minutes. Benzodiazepines are, in contrast to SSRIs don't stay in the body for a long time. They're quick-acting and can be used in a matter of hours. This makes them ideal for situations where quick relief is required (such as on an airplane or prior to presenting in public).

As they are addictive, patients are typically prescribed up to four weeks at a go. After that period they also become less effective.

One of the main reasons why benzodiazepines are so well-known is that they are efficient and have fewer adverse effects when compared to their predecessors like barbiturates and meprobamate. They are effective 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 belief that benzodiazepine treatment leads to physical dependence. However, they continue to play a crucial role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, especially in combination with psychosocial interventions like cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy.

Benzos can interact with other drugs and trigger unwanted side effects, such as drowsiness, confusion or drowsiness. You should tell your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription or herbal medicines you currently take or are planning to take. You can determine which medications are safe to use with benzodiazepines through the British National Formulary A-Z list of medication interactions.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants can help 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 to treat other health conditions, such as eating disorders, bipolar disorder and certain kinds of pain.

Most doctors prescribe SSRIs as a first-line treatment for anxiety, but these medications may not be suitable for everyone. If they don't work doctors might consider a different type of antidepressant, known as a tricyclic or tetracyclic antidepressant. These include amitriptyline and nortriptyline, clomipramine, trimipramine, dothiepin, doxepin or imipramine. These antidepressants are less common but still readily available. You can also ask your doctor to prescribe the sedating antidepressant trazodone(Desyrel) in lower doses if you are having sleep problems or anxiety.





I Am Psychiatry , a.k.a Ferdinand (Cymbalta) and duloxetine can also be beneficial. They are also available in generic form. If they don't work your doctor, he may suggest the antipsychotics quetiapine or olanzapine or the tranquilizing antidepressant Mirtazapine.

Beta blockers are used to treat other anxiety disorders. They reduce blood pressure and heart rate by blocking adrenaline. These medications aren't typically used to treat anxiety alone, but they can be effective when combined with psychotherapy.

Psychological therapy can help you overcome negative thoughts and behavior patterns that cause anxiety. It will help you learn to control your anxiety, and build coping skills. Depending on the severity of your situation exposure therapy or cognitive behavior therapy might be recommended. Cognitive behavioural therapy teaches you to challenge negative and fearful thoughts and overcome your fear of situations which trigger anxiety. The process involves increasing the intensity of anxiety provoking situations until they can be managed. It can be done either individually or in a small group. In both cases, it takes time to achieve results. A combination of medications and psychological therapy is the best option for certain people. Others find that meds alone are enough to manage their symptoms. It's important to tell your doctor about the things you're doing to control your symptoms.

Other Medical Treatments

Although benzodiazepines and antidepressants are the most common medications to treat anxiety, other drugs can help ease your symptoms too. Beta blockers and antihistamines are sometimes prescribed to relieve anxiety.

These drugs can correct an imbalance in the brain's chemicals and can alleviate your symptoms by reducing or blocking signals that can cause anxiety and stress. They're not a cure-all. You'll still need to do other things to reduce your anxiety, including exercises or relaxation techniques, as well as psychological therapy.

SSRIs or SNRIs are your most commonly prescribed anxiety medications that your doctor can prescribe. According to research, these medications are the most effective in treating anxiety disorders. The most commonly used SSRIs include sertraline (Zoloft) as well as the fluoxetine (Prozac) and Citropram (Celexa), and escitalopram (Lexapro). These drugs can 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 the risk of suicidal ideas.

The benzodiazepines, alprazolam, diazepoxide and clonazepam (Valium) offer immediate relief from anxiety and panic attacks. However, they can cause side effects such as drowsiness and dizziness. They can also trigger problems with coordination and memory, and even dependence. They're not as popular than the barbiturates of the past, but are just as effective.

Antihistamines such as Vistaril (hydroxyzine) were initially designed to help with allergies. However they can also be used to alleviate anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine can have a calming affect by blocking histamine receptors. It is not a controlled substance, so it does not carry the same risk of addiction as benzodiazepines.

Anticonvulsants are another type of medication which can be used to treat anxiety. They have been proven to reduce anxiety by inhibiting the production of and release dopamine and sérotonin. These medications are often used as part of an integrated therapy or to treat anxiety in the short term. Your doctor will examine your medical history and symptoms to determine if these medicines are suitable for you. They will also discuss the length of time you should take these medications as well as any possible adverse effects that could occur. Anxiety medication is only available on prescription, and you'll need a psychiatrist to prescribe it.