Meds That Treat Anxiety

Anxiety affects more than 40 million adults in the United States. A variety of medications are available to treat anxiety attack treatment without medication.

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 commonly used anxiety medication is selective serotonin inhibits (SSRIs) which include citalopram, escitalopram, and fluoxetine. These drugs are also used to treat depression and alleviate symptoms of other anxiety disorders such as obsessive compulsive disorder. They can take up to a month to begin working.

These drugs increase the levels of certain chemical messengers within the brain, such as serotonin and norepinephrine. These drugs are usually the first choice to treat anxiety, but doctors can also prescribe other types of antidepressants and benzodiazepines.

Another class of antidepressants called serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) such as duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor) are used to treat anxiety. They differ from SSRIs as they reduce norepinephrine, but at a lower rate than SSRIs. These medications take a long time to work and are more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants like imipramine Tofranil can be effective for treating situational anxiety treatment disorders. However their drowsiness as well as other adverse reactions make them less popular. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are another kind of antidepressant that can be used to treat anxiety. Their high risk of toxicity and restrictions on diets restrict their use.

Benzodiazepines are commonly used to treat anxiety and panic attacks in the short term like when you wait for SSRIs or SNRIs to begin working. These medications can trigger addiction to tolerance, sedation, and dependence, as well as withdrawal symptoms such a rebound anxiety, depression, and delirium. Benzodiazepines are commonly found in alprazolam, clonazepam, as well as lorazepam.

Therapy is an important part of a treatment plan for anxiety, as it helps you learn more about your symptoms and their root causes. Many people find that therapy and medication both help them cope. Some studies suggest that cognitive behavior therapy works just as well as anxiety medications. Talk to your doctor to find out what's right for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines can have a calming effect, reduce anxiety and relax muscles that are tense. They also relieve symptoms of fear-related bodily stimulation (like heart rate or shaking), and promote sleep.

They function by binding to inhibitory neurons, for example GABA or gamma aminobutryic acid, at receptors within the central nervous system. They increase the effects of GABA by facilitating the inhibitory effect of GABA on other neurotransmitters, and reducing the number of messages sent to the amygdala. This is a region of the brain which assesses threats and creates a sense of fear.

These drugs can be used for short periods of time for instance, when a panic attack occurs or if you're experiencing severe anxiety. They may help relieve the symptoms within 30 to 90 minutes after taking them. Benzodiazepines are different from SSRIs aren't able to remain in the body for long. They're quick-acting and typically take effect in just a couple of hours, which makes them ideal for situations when quick relief is needed (like during a flight or before giving an event in public).

They are addictive, and people are usually prescribed them for a maximum of 4 weeks at each time. They also lose effectiveness after that time.

One of the main reasons benzodiazepines are so popular is that they are effective and have minimal negative effects compared to predecessors such as barbiturates and meprobamate. They are effective and have a rapid onset and can be used as anxiolytics to reduce anxiety. They can also be employed as sedatives, anticonvulsants and muscle relaxants.

Benzos have been blamed for the negative attitudes towards anxiety that developed in the 1970s and 1980s, including the stigmatization of anxiety and the perception that benzodiazepine treatment leads to physical dependence. Despite this they still play a significant role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, specifically when used in combination with psychosocial interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy.

Benzos can interact with other medications and cause undesirable side-effects such as drowsiness, confusion or drowsiness. You should tell your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription, or herbal medication you currently take or plan to take. You can find out which medications are safe to use with benzodiazepines through the British National Formulary A-Z list for medication interactions.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants can be effective in treating 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 many antidepressants for other health conditions, too, such as eating disorders, certain types of pain, and bipolar disorder.

The majority of doctors prescribe SSRIs as the first line treatment for anxiety, however these medications might not be suitable for all people. If these antidepressants aren't working the doctor might suggest an older form of medication known as a tetracyclic or tricyclic antidepressant. These include amitriptyline and nortriptyline, clomipramine and trimipramine, dothiepin, doxepin or imipramine. These antidepressants aren't as common but still accessible. You can also ask your physician to prescribe the sedating antidepressant, trazodone(Desyrel) at lower doses if you are experiencing anxiety or sleep problems.

Other antidepressants that can help are Nefazodone (Ferdinand) and duloxetine (Cymbalta). These drugs are also available in generic form. If they don't help, your doctor may try the antipsychotics quetiapine and Olanzapine or the sedative antidepressant Mirtazapine.

Medications for other anxiety disorders include beta blockers, which reduce the heart rate and blood pressure by preventing the action of adrenaline. These medications aren't typically used to treat anxiety alone however they can be effective if used in conjunction with psychotherapy.

Psychotherapy can help you to alter negative thoughts and behaviors that contribute towards your anxiety. It can help you control your anxiety and learn how to cope. Depending on the severity of your situation exposure therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy may be recommended. Cognitive behavioural therapy helps you overcome negative thoughts, fears and avoidance of situations that trigger your anxiety. Exposure therapy involves gradually increasing the severity of anxiety-provoking situations until you are able to manage them. It can be done either individually or in a small group. In both cases, results can take a while to show. A combination of medications and psychological therapy is the best alternative treatment for depression and anxiety for anxiety disorder generalized, try these guys out, option for certain people. Others find that medication alone is enough to manage their symptoms. It's important to tell your doctor about the things you're doing to manage your symptoms.

Other Medical Treatments

While benzodiazepines and antidepressants are the most common medications to treat anxiety, other medications can help ease your symptoms too. Antihistamines and beta blockers are sometimes prescribed to relieve anxiety.

These drugs can help you reduce your symptoms, by reducing or blocking signals that trigger anxiety and stress. They're not a panacea. You'll still have to take steps to reduce anxiety, including exercises, relaxation techniques and psychological therapy.

SSRIs or SNRIs are the first choice of anxiety medication that your doctor may prescribe. According to research, these drugs are the most effective for treating anxiety disorders. Common SSRIs include sertraline (Zoloft), the fluoxetine (Prozac) and citalopram (Celexa), and escitalopram (Lexapro). These medications may cause mild side effects like nausea and insomnia, but these tend to subside within 4-8 weeks. They aren't addictive, and they don't increase the risk of suicidal thoughts.

The benzodiazepines such as alprazolam diazepoxide and clonazepam (Valium) offer immediate relief from panic and anxiety attacks. However, they can cause side effects such as dizziness and drowsiness. They may also cause problems with coordination and memory, and may even cause dependence. These are less popular than the older barbiturates, but they are equally effective.

Antihistamines such as Vistaril (hydroxyzine) were originally developed to relieve allergies. However, they are also used to alleviate anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine blocks the histamine receptors in the brain and can cause the body to relax. It is not a controlled drug, so it does not carry the same risk of addiction as benzodiazepines.

Anticonvulsants are another kind of medication that can aid in reducing anxiety. They have been found to reduce anxiety through inhibiting the production of and release of dopamine and sérotonin. These medications may be prescribed as part of a combination therapy or used to treat anxiety in the short-term. Your doctor will examine your symptoms and health history to determine if these drugs are appropriate for you. They'll also talk about how long you should take them for and any potential side effects. Anxiety medications can only be purchased on prescription, which means you'll need to visit an astrologer to obtain these medications.