Meds That Treat Anxiety
Anxiety is among the most common mental health issues that affects 40 million adults 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 popular anxiety medication is selective serotonin inhibits (SSRIs), including citalopram, escitalopram, and fluoxetine. These medications are also used to treat depression and alleviate symptoms of anxiety disorders, such as obsessive compulsive disorder. It can take up one month for them to start working.
They work by increasing the amount of certain chemical transmitters that are present in the brain. This includes serotonin and norepinephrine as well as dopamine. They're typically the first treatment option for anxiety, but doctors also employ other kinds of antidepressants as well as benzodiazepines.
Another class of antidepressants, called serotonin and norepinephrine receptor inhibitors (SNRIs) such as duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor) are used to treat anxiety. They differ from SSRIs since they reduce norepinephrine, however 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, can be effective for treating anxiety disorders. Their drowsiness, along with other adverse effects make them less popular. Monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs) are another type of antidepressant that can be used to treat anxiety. However, their restrictions on diet and the risk of toxicity restrict their use.
Benzodiazepines are commonly used to combat anxiety and panic attacks in the short-term, such as when waiting for SSRIs or SNRIs to begin working. These drugs can trigger tolerance and addiction, sedation and apathy, and withdrawal reactions that may cause depression, anxiety, and even delirium. Benzodiazepines are typically found in alprazolam, clonazepam, and lorazepam.
Therapy is a crucial component of an anxiety treatment plan as it can help you learn more about your symptoms and their reasons. Many people discover that medication and therapy both help them cope. Some studies have shown that cognitive behavioral therapy is as effective as anxiety medications. Talk to your doctor to find out what's best for you.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines can have a calming effect, reduce anxiety and relax muscles that are tight. They also alleviate symptoms of bodily arousal related to fear (like heart racing and shaking) and promote sleep.
They function by binding to inhibitory neurons, such as GABA or gamma aminobutryic acids, at receptors within the central nervous system. They enhance the effects of GABA by increasing its inhibitory effects on other neurotransmitters, and reducing the number of messages that are sent to the amygdala. an area of the brain which detects threats and gives the sensation of fear.
These medications are sometimes employed for short periods of time like an attack of panic or a severe anxiety attack. They can help relieve symptoms in 30 to 60 minutes. Unlike SSRIs which are a long-lasting medication, benzodiazepines do not stay in the body for a long time. They're fast-acting and can work within a couple of hours. This makes them ideal for situations where immediate relief is needed (such as during a flight or before a presentation in public).
Since they can be addictive, people are typically prescribed for a period of up to four weeks at a go. They also lose effectiveness after that time.
One of the main reasons why benzodiazepines are so popular is that they are safe and have fewer negative effects compared to predecessors like barbiturates and meprobamate. They are safe and have a rapid start, and can be employed as anxiolytics to decrease anxiety. They can also be used as sedatives, anticonvulsants, and muscle relaxants.
Benzos were blamed for the negative attitudes towards
high functioning anxiety treatment that developed in the 1970s and 80s and included the denial of the disorder, and the belief that benzodiazepine treatment for anxiety and depression near me (
he said) result in physical dependence. Yet the fact that benzodiazepines play a significant role in the
treatment for panic and anxiety attacks of anxiety disorders, particularly when they are combined with psychosocial interventions like cognitive behavioral therapy or interpersonal therapies.
Benzos can interact with other drugs and trigger unwanted side effects, such as drowsiness or confusion. It is essential to inform your doctor be aware of any other prescription, non-prescription or herbal medications you're taking or thinking about taking. You can determine which medications are safe to take along with benzodiazepines by checking the British National Formulary A-Z list for medication interactions.
Antidepressants
Antidepressants are effective in
treating anxiety in bipolar disorder anxiety and other mental disorders. 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 bipolar disorder, eating disorders, and certain types of pain.
SSRIs are often prescribed as a first-line treatment for anxiety by doctors, however they might not be effective for all people. If they don't work doctors can look at the more traditional antidepressant, known as tricyclic or tetracyclic antidepressants. They include amitriptyline, nortriptyline and clomipramine. These antidepressants are not as popular but still available. You can also ask your doctor to prescribe the sedating antidepressant trazodone(Desyrel), at lower doses in case you are experiencing sleep issues or anxiety.
Other antidepressants that could help include Nefazodone (Ferdinand) and duloxetine (Cymbalta). These medications are also available in generic form. If they aren't working, your physician may suggest the sedating antidepressant mirtazapine (Remeron) or the antipsychotics olanzapine and quetiapine.
Treatments for other anxiety disorders include beta blockers that reduce the blood pressure and heart rate by blocking the action of adrenaline. These medications are not typically used to treat anxiety by themselves however they can be effective when combined with psychotherapy.
Psychological therapy can help you to change negative thoughts and behaviors that contribute to your anxiety. It can help you to control your anxiety, and develop coping skills. Depending on the severity of your situation, exposure therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy may be recommended. Cognitive behavioural therapy can help you develop the ability to confront negative thoughts, fearful thoughts and to overcome the fear of situations that trigger your anxiety. The process involves increasing the level of anxiety provoking situations until they can be managed. It can be performed either in a group, or by yourself. In both instances it takes time to demonstrate results. A combination of medications and psychological therapy is the best choice for some people. However, others find that medication alone is sufficient to treat their symptoms. It's important to tell your doctor what you're doing to control your symptoms.
Other Medicines
Although benzodiazepines and antidepressants are the most common medications to treat anxiety, other medications can help ease your symptoms as well. Antihistamines, beta blockers, and buspirone are often prescribed to ease anxiety.
These
drugs to treat anxiety can help you alleviate your symptoms by reducing or blocking the signals that trigger anxiety and stress. They're not a panacea. You'll still need to do things to control anxiety, such as exercises relaxation techniques, relaxation techniques and psychological therapy.
Your doctor may first prescribe one of the "first choice" anxiety medication, which includes SSRIs and SNRIs. These are the most effective medications for treating anxiety disorders, according to research studies. The most common SSRIs include sertraline (Zoloft) and the fluoxetine (Prozac) and Citropram (Celexa), and escitalopram (Lexapro). These medications may have minor adverse effects, like insomnia or nausea, however they typically subside within 4-8 weeks. They aren't addictive, and they do not increase the risk of suicidal thoughts.
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, as well as dependence. These drugs are less popular than older barbiturates but are equally effective.
Antihistamines, such as Vistaril (hydroxyzine) were originally developed to relieve allergies. However they also serve to ease anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine block histamine receptors within the brain and may cause the body to relax. It's not a controlled substance and therefore doesn't carry the same addiction risks as benzodiazepines.
Another kind of medication that can help with anxiety is a class called anticonvulsants. They've been shown to relieve anxiety by inhibiting the production and release of dopamine and serotonin. These medications can be prescribed as a part of a combination therapy or to treat anxiety in the short-term. Your doctor will assess your health history and symptoms to determine if these medications are appropriate for you. They'll also talk about how long you should take them for and any possible adverse effects. Anxiety medications are only available through prescription, and it is necessary to see a psychiatrist to prescribe it.
