Medications to Treat Anxiety

While therapy is the best way to treat anxiety treatment for anxiety, there are times when an infrequent course of medication is required. Antidepressants and tranquilizers are among the drugs that can be used to treat anxiety.

SSRI antidepressants like citalopram, escitalopram, and sertraline can reduce anxiety. SNRIs, which are aimed at serotonin and norepinephrine, can also be effective.

SSRIs

SSRIs are typically the first medication prescribed by doctors to treat anxiety disorders. They prevent nerve cell serotonin re-absorption in the brain, a chemical which is essential for regulating mood. It takes time for the medication to take effect, but people usually start to feel better after 4 to six weeks. SSRIs are not habit-forming and do not cause addiction, which means they can be used for long durations of time.

Another type of antidepressant, SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), also treats depression and anxiety. Examples of SNRIs include citalopram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro) and fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil) and sertraline (Zoloft). Tricyclic antidepressants like imipramine (Tofranil) and the doxepine (Anxiety Disorder Stimulant) also treat anxiety and depression. Mirtazapine, an antidepressant that is novel is sometimes used to treat anxiety disorders.

Doctors don’t know the function of SNRIs and SSRIs but they do are aware that they enhance the activity of chemical messengers known as neurotransmitters within the brain. They prevent the brain from reabsorbing chemicals and allow these substances to bind with receptors.

SSRIs are used to treat generalized anxiety disorder, GAD; obsessive-compulsive disorder, OCD; panic disorder/agoraphobia; and posttraumatic stress disorder, PTSD. They can also be helpful for bulimia, though it is anxiety treatable less prevalent.

People with anxiety who are not responding to SSRIs may be prescribed an antipsychotic atypical drug. Examples include quetiapine (Abilify) and Aripiprazole (Risperdal). These drugs reduce anxiety in people who have obsessive compulsive disorder. They are usually prescribed in conjunction with an antidepressant. they have a lower risk for serious side effects when compared to other types of antipsychotics.

Beta-blockers are also prescribed to treat anxiety and heart conditions. Examples are propranolol (Inderal) and atenolol (Tenormin). They can help reduce the physical symptoms of anxiety, particularly for those suffering from social anxiety disorder. They can also aid in reducing anxiety before or following surgery and also for some chronic pain conditions. The benzodiazepines, such as lorazepam (Ativan) can be used to control symptoms when other medicines aren’t working. However, benzodiazepines are habit-forming and may be addictive.

SNRIs

SNRIs are another type of antidepressant medication that is often prescribed to combat anxiety. They work similarly similar to SSRIs but also increase the amount of norepinephrine and serotonin. They are therefore more effective in treating certain anxiety disorders such as anxiety disorder, social anxiety and panic disorder. Like other medications, these are most effective when they are used in conjunction with talking therapy and other treatment strategies.

In contrast to benzodiazepines, SNRIs do not cause dependence or addiction in the majority of people. However, some patients might experience withdrawal when discontinuing the medication after a lengthy time of usage. Because of this, it is crucial to talk with your doctor prior to stopping any medication.

Serotonin and norepinephrine, two neurotransmitters, are responsible for stress and mood reactions. Particularly, they play a significant role in the fight-or-flight reaction that a large portion of people suffering from anxiety experiences. By preventing the reuptake process, SNRIs stop vagus nerve anxiety treatment cells from rapidly absorbing these neurotransmitters. In this way, they keep these chemicals in the brain for longer and, as a result they have the potential to boost mood and decrease anxiety levels or aid in reducing symptoms of panic attacks.

Norepinephrine also plays a part in anxiety, since it stimulates the Amygdala. This is a very deep and primitive brain region that is associated with anxiety-related behavior. SNRIs decrease the activity of this area of the brain. This can boost mood, anxiety and reduce panic attacks.

These medicines are extremely helpful, but they can also increase suicidal behavior in certain people. Due to this, they’re usually prescribed in higher dosages and for a shorter time. These medications may also interact with other medications and substances. If you are on any other prescription or over-the counter medication, make sure to discuss this with your physician and keep them updated on any underlying medical conditions you suffer from including heart problems and bleeding-related diseases. Be aware that some patients experience adverse reactions to SNRIs such as nausea and a dry mouth.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines, or benzos as they are often called are a class of drugs that reduce anxiety and related symptoms, like insomnia and muscle tension. They can be helpful for patients suffering from anxiety disorders, such as social anxiety and panic disorder particularly if other treatments, such as SSRIs or psychotherapy (talk therapy) do not work. They can be utilized as a temporary solution while you wait for your antidepressant medication to begin to work. Benzos include diazepam, lorazepam flurazepam, temazepam, and.

Because they’re fast-acting drugs, they generally start to work within 30 minutes. These meds to treat anxiety don’t stay in the body very long, therefore they should be consumed regularly to reap the full benefits. Benzos should not be used for long periods as they can lead to physical dependence and addiction. Benzos are not recommended for people with depression or other anxiety disorders, as they how can i treat anxiety without medication increase the risk of these problems.

People who use benzos over an extended period without medical supervision, and often without the direction of a doctor, could develop a condition known as sedative-use disorders, which includes withdrawal symptoms and addiction. It is uncommon for people who are prescribed benzos to develop this problem however. Rather, misuse of benzos is usually the result of other factors such as alcohol abuse and depression.

Utilizing benzodiazepines in the long term can also cause tolerance to their effects on sedation. When you become tolerant to the effects, you require more of the medication to have the same effect. This could cause respiratory depression, or even death. Even if you are taking benzodiazepines for a prolonged time, it is important to follow the prescription.

Other Medical Treatments

SSRIs and SNRIs will be the first medications that doctors prescribe to treat anxiety. They affect serotonin which is responsible for mood as well as appetite and sleep. They can take a while to show results, up to 12 weeks, and can cause some side effects like insomnia or nausea. SSRIs are also used to treat other mental health conditions like depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and panic disorder. Contrary to benzodiazepines, antidepressants do not cause physical dependence, but they can trigger withdrawal symptoms when abruptly cut off.

Sertraline (Zoloft), Prozac (Prozac), and Celexa (Citalopram) are the three medications that fall under this class. They can be used alone or in combination with therapy. Antidepressants are prescribed by psychiatrists, psychologists or family doctors with specialized training in the management of medications.

Doctors may prescribe a class of monoamine-oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) as an antidepressant. These drugs inhibit the action of specific enzymes that break down chemicals, such as serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. MAOIs can take up to four weeks to start working however, they aren’t as quick-acting as SSRIs.

Another medication used to treat anxiety is clonidine, which is used to control high blood pressure but has limited effectiveness in treating anxiety. Its effectiveness is limited by adverse effects like hypotension and sedation. Doctors can prescribe antihistamines such as hydroxyzine to reduce symptoms of panic attacks and anxiety. They can also reduce the effectiveness of benzodiazepines for certain patients.

Anxiety is often treated with the combination of psychotherapy, exercise and medication. The most effective method is to consult a therapist who specializes in treating anxiety disorders. They can help you determine the root cause of your anxiety and suggest strategies to manage it, without medication, if needed. Other options for treating anxiety that don’t require medication include eye movement desensitization, mindfulness meditation, and yoga that is trauma-informed. Talk to your therapist to determine the best option for you. Psychologists are trained to evaluate your symptoms, medical history and formulate an appropriate treatment plan for anxiety that is right for you. When creating the plan, they consider your diagnosis, lifestyle as well as your medical background and personal preferences. They can also make adjustments over time.