Meds That Treat Anxiety

Anxiety is among the most common mental health conditions which affects more than 40 million people in the United States. Many types 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. Unlike benzodiazepines, they’re not addictive.

SSRIs

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

These drugs increase the production of certain chemical messengers in the brain, such as serotonin and norepinephrine. They’re typically the first treatment option for anxiety, however doctors also use other types of antidepressants and benzodiazepines.

Another class of antidepressants called serotonin and norepinephrine-reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) like duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor) are used to treat anxiety. They are a bit different from SSRIs as they reduce norepinephrine, however at a lower rate than SSRIs. They may take a few days to start taking effects, and also tend to be more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants like imipramine Tofranil, can be effective for treating anxiety disorders. Their drowsiness, as well as other side effects make them less popular. Another kind of antidepressant, monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs) can be used to treat anxiety. However, their restrictions on diet and the risk of toxicity restrict their use.

Benzodiazepines are commonly used to treat anxiety and panic attacks in the short term for instance, when waiting for SSRIs or SNRIs to take effect. These medications can cause tolerance addiction, sedation as well as withdrawal reactions that can cause rebound anxiety, depression and even delirium. Benzodiazepines are commonly found in alprazolam, clonazepam, as well as lorazepam.

Therapy is a crucial component of an anxiety treatment plan as it can help you discover more about the symptoms and the reasons. Many people find that both therapy and medication can help them cope with anxiety. In fact, some studies suggest that cognitive behavior therapy is as effective as medications for anxiety. Speak to your doctor to determine what is the best option for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines have an calming effect, reduce anxiety treatment herbal and relax muscles that are tense. They also alleviate symptoms of bodily arousal related to fear (like heart rate and shaking) and encourage sleep.

They work by binding inhibitory neurons, for example GABA or gamma aminobutryic acid and bind to receptors in the central nervous system. They enhance the effects of GABA by increasing its inhibitory effects on other neurotransmitters, and reducing the amount of messages that are sent to the amygdala, a region of the brain that detects threats and creates the feeling of fear.

These medications are typically used for short periods, such as during a panic attack or severe anxiety episodes. They may relieve symptoms within 30 to 60 minutes. Benzodiazepines are different from SSRIs aren’t able to remain in the body long. They’re fast-acting and usually work in a matter of hours, which makes them ideal for situations when immediate relief is required (like during an airplane flight or prior to giving an event in public).

Since they are addictive, patients are usually only prescribed them for a period of up to four weeks at a time. After that period they lose their effectiveness.

One of the main reasons benzodiazepines are so well-known is that they are safe and have few side effects compared to their predecessors such as barbiturates and meprobamate. They are efficient 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 were blamed for the negative attitudes towards anxiety that developed in the 1970s and 1980s, including the minimization of the disorder and the perception that benzodiazepine therapies can lead to physical dependence. However they play an important role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, especially in combination with psychosocial interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy.

Benzos may interact with other medications, causing unwanted side effects, such as drowsiness and disorientation. It is recommended to inform your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription, or herbal medicines you are currently taking or are planning to take. Take a look at the British National Formulary A to Z list of medication interactions to determine which medications are safe when taken with benzodiazepines.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants can reduce anxiety and other mental health issues. 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, including eating disorders, bipolar disorder, and certain types of pain.

SSRIs are usually prescribed as a first-line holistic treatment for anxiety for anxiety by doctors, however they might not work for everyone. If these antidepressants aren’t working doctors may suggest an older form of medication known as a tetracyclic or tricyclic antidepressant. These include amitriptyline, nortriptyline, clomipramine, trimipramine, doxepin and dothiepin or imipramine. They’re less common than newer antidepressants, but still readily available. Your doctor can prescribe the antidepressant with a sedating effect, 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 helping your doctor, you can try the antipsychotics quetiapine and Olanzapine or the sedating antidepressant Mirtazapine.

Beta blockers are used to treat anxiety disorders. They lower blood pressure and heart rate by blocking adrenaline. These drugs aren’t commonly used to treat anxiety on their own however they can be beneficial when paired with psychological therapy.

Psychological therapy can help you change negative thoughts and behavior patterns that contribute to your anxiety. It can help you to manage your anxiety and build coping skills. Based on the severity of your problem exposure therapy or cognitive behavior therapy might be recommended. Cognitive behavioural therapy assists you to learn to challenge unhelpful 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 are manageable. It can be performed either in a group, or by yourself. In both instances it takes time to demonstrate results. A combination of medication and psychotherapy therapy is the best choice for some individuals. Others find that meds alone are sufficient to treat their symptoms. It is important to inform your doctor what you’re doing to manage your symptoms.

Other Medical Treatments

Other medications can also aid in relieving your symptoms. Antihistamines, beta blockers, and buspirone are all sometimes prescribed to reduce anxiety.

These medications correct an imbalance in your brain chemicals and can alleviate symptoms by reducing or blocking the signals that cause you stress and fear. They are not a panacea. You’ll still have to do other things to reduce anxiety, such as physical exercise, relaxation techniques, and psychological therapy.

SSRIs or SNRIs are the first choice of Anxiety treatment Symptoms medications that your doctor can prescribe. According to studies, these medications are the most effective for treating anxiety disorders. SSRIs are typically found in sertraline (Zoloft), Citropram, fluoxetine, and escitalopram. These medications might have mild side effects, such as insomnia or nausea, however they typically disappear within 4-8 weeks. They are not addictive, and they don’t increase the risk of suicidal thoughts.

The benzodiazepines alprazolam (Xanax), Clonazepam (Klonopin) and diazepoxide (Valium) offer immediate relief from panic attacks and anxiety, but they can have side effects, including drowsiness, dizziness, memory and coordination issues, as well as dependence. These drugs are less popular than the older barbiturates, but they are equally effective.

Antihistamines, like Vistaril (hydroxyzine) were developed to relieve allergies however, they’re also used to ease anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine block histamine receptors within the brain and may cause the body to relax. It’s not a controlled drug and therefore doesn’t carry the same addiction risks like benzodiazepines.

Another kind of medication that can aid with anxiety is a class called anticonvulsants, which have been proven to reduce anxiety by affecting the release and production of serotonin and dopamine. They may be prescribed in conjunction with other medications or as a short-term treatment for anxiety. Your doctor will examine your health history and symptoms to determine if these drugs are appropriate for you. They will discuss the length of time you should take these medicines and any potential negative side effects that might occur. Anxiety medications are only available on prescription, so you’ll need to see an astrologer to obtain them.