Meds That Treat Anxiety
Anxiety affects 40 million people 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. In contrast to benzodiazepines, they're addictive.
SSRIs
The most popular anxiety medication is selective serotonin reuptake inhibits (SSRIs), including citalopram, escitalopram, and fluoxetine. These medications also treat depression, and they 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.
These drugs work by boosting the production of certain chemical messengers in the brain, such as serotonin and norepinephrine. These medications are typically the first choice for treating anxiety, although doctors may prescribe other forms of antidepressants and benzodiazepines.
Antidepressants, such as duloxetine (Cymbalta), and venlafaxine, (Effexor) are also used to treat anxiety. They function a bit differently from SSRIs in that they reduce the reabsorption rate of norepinephrine and serotonin, though at lower levels than SSRIs. These medicines can take a while to start taking effect, and they also tend to be more expensive than SSRIs.
Tricyclic antidepressants, such as imipramine Tofranil can be effective in treating anxiety disorders. Their drowsiness, along with other adverse effects are what make them less well-liked. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are another type of antidepressant that can be used to treat anxiety. However, their strict dietary restrictions and the risk of toxicity restrict their use.
Benzodiazepines can be used treat panic attacks and anxiety in the short-term while waiting for SSRIs and SNRIs. These drugs can lead to addiction, tolerance, and sedation, as well as withdrawal symptoms like a rebound anxiety, depression, and delirium. The most common benzodiazepines are alprazolam (Xanax) and clonazepam (Klonopin) and lorazepam (Ativan).
Therapy is a vital part of any anxiety treatment plan. It assists you to better understand your symptoms and their reasons. Many people find that both therapy and medication can help to manage anxiety. Some studies suggest that cognitive therapy is just as effective as medication for anxiety. Talk with your doctor about your options and which is the best option for you.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines have a calming effect, decrease anxiety and relax tense muscles. They also relieve symptoms of bodily stimulation related to fear (like heart rate, trembling or trembling) and help promote sleep.
They work by binding inhibitory neurons, like GABA or gamma aminobutryic acids, at receptors within the central nervous system. They increase the effects of GABA by facilitating the inhibitory effect of GABA on other neurotransmitters, and decreasing the amount of messages sent to the amygdala. This is a part of the brain that is able to detect threats and creates a sense of fear.
These medications are sometimes employed for short periods of time, such as during a panic attack or severe anxiety attack. 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 can be effective within a few hours. This makes them ideal for situations in which immediate relief is needed (such for instance, during a flight or before giving a presentation in public).
They are addictive, and people are usually prescribed them for up to four weeks at one time. After that time, they also cease to be effective.
One of the main reasons the benzodiazepines became so well-known is that they were effective and had minimal side effects when compared with their predecessors, like barbiturates or meprobamate. They have a quick time to begin their action and are very useful as anxiolytics (anti-anxiety) as well as sedatives and anticonvulsants, as well as for muscle relaxants.
Benzos are often blamed for the negative attitudes towards anxiety that developed in the 1970s and 1980s, which included the denial of the disorder and the perception that benzodiazepine treatment can lead to physical dependence. Yet however, benzodiazepines still play a major role in the treatment for anxiety disorders, especially when they are combined with psychosocial interventions like cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapies.
Benzos can interact with other drugs and cause unwanted side-effects, such as drowsiness, confusion or drowsiness. It is important to inform your doctor be aware of any other prescription, non-prescription, or herbal medicines you're currently considering or taking. Take a look at the British National Formulary A to Z list of medication interactions to find out which medicines are safe to take with benzodiazepines.
Antidepressants
Antidepressants are effective in treating anxiety and mental illnesses. According to best site 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 types of pain.
SSRIs are usually prescribed as a first-line treatment of anxiety by doctors, but they might not work for everyone. If these antidepressants aren't working doctors may suggest an older form of medication called a tetracyclic or tricyclic antidepressant. These include amitriptyline or nortriptyline, as well as Clomipramine. These antidepressants aren't as common but they are still accessible. Your doctor may prescribe the sedating antidepressant Trazodone (Desyrel) in lower doses to treat anxiety or insomnia.
Nefazodone, a.k.a Ferdinand (Cymbalta) and duloxetine may also be beneficial. They are also available in generic forms. If they aren't working, your physician might suggest a tranquilizing antidepressant mirtazapine (Remeron) or the antipsychotics quetiapine or olanzapine.
Beta blockers are used to treat anxiety disorders. They lower heart rate and blood pressure by blocking adrenaline. These medications are not typically used to treat anxiety alone however they can be effective if coupled with psychotherapy.
Psychological therapy can help you overcome negative thoughts and behavior patterns that cause anxiety. It can help you to manage your anxiety and develop coping strategies. Depending on the severity of your problem exposure therapy or cognitive behavior therapy might be recommended. Cognitive behavioral therapy teaches you to overcome negative and fearful thoughts and to overcome your aversion to situations that trigger anxiety. Exposure therapy involves gradually increasing the level of anxiety-inducing situations until can cope with them. It can be carried out in a group or on your own. In both instances, the results take time to appear. Some people believe that the combination of psychotherapy and medication is the best choice. However, others find that medication alone is enough to manage their symptoms. Discuss with your doctor how you manage your symptoms.
Other Medical Treatments
Other medications can help relieve your symptoms. Beta blockers and antihistamines are often prescribed to ease anxiety.
These drugs can help you ease your symptoms, by reducing or blocking the signals that trigger stress and fear. However, they'ren't the only solution. You will still need to do things to reduce anxiety, like physical exercise, relaxation techniques and psychotherapy.
Your doctor may first prescribe one of the "first choice" anxiety medications, which are SSRIs and SNRIs. According to research, these drugs are the most effective in treating anxiety disorders. Common SSRIs include sertraline (Zoloft), fluoxetine (Prozac), Citropram (Celexa), and escitalopram (Lexapro). These medications may have minor side effects, such as insomnia or nausea, but they usually subside within 4-8 weeks. Contrary to benzodiazepines they're 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 anxiety and panic attacks. However, they can cause side effects, such as drowsiness and dizziness. They can also trigger memory and coordination issues, and even dependence. These are less popular than older barbiturates but are equally effective.
Antihistamines, such as Vistaril (hydroxyzine) were initially designed to help with allergies. However they also serve to ease anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine blocks histamine receptors in the brain and can cause an energizing effect. It's not a controlled substance which means it doesn't carry the same dangers of addiction as benzodiazepines.
Another kind of medication that can aid with anxiety is a group of medications called anticonvulsants, which have been shown to ease anxiety by affecting the production and release of serotonin and dopamine. They may be prescribed in conjunction with other medications or as a short-term treatment for anxiety. Your doctor will assess your symptoms and health history to determine whether these medications are suitable for you. They'll also discuss how long you should take them for and any possible negative side effects. Anxiety medications are only available on prescription, which means that it is necessary to see a psychiatrist to prescribe it.