meds that treat anxiety disorder treatment without medication (Get More Information)

Anxiety affects 40 million people in the United States. It is extremely treatable, and there are various types of medication 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. Contrary to benzodiazepines they're not addictive.

SSRIs

The most common anxiety medications are selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) which include citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro) and fluoxetine (Prozac). These drugs are also used to treat depression and relieve symptoms of anxiety disorders, such as obsessive compulsive disorder. It can take up one month for them to start working.

These medications work by increasing the amount of certain chemical transmitters within the brain. This includes serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. They are usually the first option for anxiety, however doctors also use other types of antidepressants as well as benzodiazepines.

Antidepressants, such as duloxetine (Cymbalta), and venlafaxine (Effexor) are also used to treat anxiety. They are a bit different from SSRIs as they reduce norepinephrine, but at a lower degree than SSRIs. These medicines can take a while to begin taking effects, and they are more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) like imipramine (Tofranil) are effective in treating certain anxiety disorders, particularly GAD. However, their drowsiness and other side effects are what make them less popular. Another type of antidepressant, monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs) can be used to treat anxiety. However, their restrictions on diet and the high risk of toxicity restrict their use.

Benzodiazepines are often used to combat anxiety and panic attacks in the short term for instance, when waiting for SSRIs or SNRIs to kick in. These drugs can lead to dependence to tolerance, sedation, and dependence and withdrawal symptoms like a depression, anxiety, and delirium. Benzodiazepines are commonly found in alprazolam, clonazepam, as well as lorazepam.

Therapy is a vital part of any anxiety treatment for high functioning anxiety plan. It aids you in better be aware of your symptoms and reasons. Many people find that both therapy and medication help them cope with anxiety. Some studies suggest that cognitive therapy is just as effective as anxiety medications. Talk with your doctor about your options and which might be best for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines can have a calming effect that reduces anxiety and relaxes muscles that are tense. They also ease symptoms of bodily arousal related to fear (like heart racing and shaking) and promote sleep.

They work by binding inhibitory neurons, like GABA or gamma aminobutryic acids and bind to receptors in the central nervous system. They boost 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 region of the brain that is able to detect threats and creates a sense of anxiety.

These medications can be utilized for short durations of time, such as when panic attacks occur or if you are experiencing severe anxiety. They can help ease the symptoms within 30 to 90 minutes after taking them. Benzodiazepines, unlike SSRIs don't stay in the body for long. They are fast-acting and often take effect in just a couple of hours, making them suitable for situations where quick relief is needed (like on a plane flight or prior to giving an event in public).

They can be addictive, so it is recommended to only prescribe them for up to four weeks at each time. They also lose effectiveness after a certain period of time.

One of the reasons benzodiazepines were so popular was that they were effective and had a few adverse effects when compared with their predecessors, like meprobamate and barbiturates. They are efficient and have a rapid onset and can be used as anxiolytics to reduce anxiety. They can also be used as sedatives, anticonvulsants and muscle relaxants.

Benzos are often blamed for the negative attitudes towards anxiety that emerged in the 1970s and 1980s, including the denial of the disorder and the perception that benzodiazepine treatment can lead to physical dependence. Despite this they play a significant role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, specifically in conjunction with psychosocial interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy.

Benzos can interact with other medications, causing unwanted side effects, like drowsiness or confusion. It's important to let your doctor know about any other prescription, non-prescription, or herbal medications you're currently taking or thinking about taking. Check the British National Formulary A to Z list of interactions with medications to find out what medicines are safe to take with benzodiazepines.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants can reduce anxiety and other mental health conditions. According to the anxiety treatment types 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 issues, such as bipolar disorder, eating disorders and certain kinds of pain.

Most doctors recommend SSRIs as a first-line treatment for anxiety, however these drugs may not be effective for everyone. If the antidepressants do not work doctors may suggest an older type known as a tetracyclic or tricyclic antidepressant. These include amitriptyline and nortriptyline as well as clomipramine. They're less popular than the newer antidepressants, yet they're still readily available. Your doctor Meds That Treat Anxiety can also prescribe the antidepressant that sedates, trazodone (Desyrel) in lower doses to treat anxiety or insomnia.

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

Beta blockers are used to treat anxiety disorders. They lower heart rate and blood pressure by blocking adrenaline. These drugs are not usually used to treat anxiety by themselves however they can be effective if used in conjunction with psychotherapy.

Psychological therapy can help you to change negative thoughts and behaviors that cause anxiety. It can help you to control your anxiety, and develop coping skills. Depending on the severity of your situation exposure therapy or cognitive behavior therapy might be recommended. Cognitive behavioural therapy helps you learn to challenge unhelpful thoughts, fearful thoughts and to overcome the fear of situations that cause anxiety. The process involves increasing the intensity of anxiety-inducing situations until they are manageable. It can be done either individually or in smaller groups. In both instances, it takes time to demonstrate results. Some people find that the combination of psychotherapy and medication is the best option. Some people find that medication alone is sufficient to treat symptoms. It's important to tell your doctor about the things you're doing to control your symptoms.

Other Medical Treatments

Other medications can help alleviate your symptoms. Beta blockers, antihistamines and buspirone are often prescribed to reduce anxiety.

These drugs can correct an imbalance in your brain's chemical balance and can alleviate symptoms by reducing or blocking the signals that can cause anxiety and stress. However, they'ren't the only solution. You will still require a variety of methods to reduce anxiety, including physical exercise as well as relaxation techniques, and psychological therapy.

SSRIs or SNRIs are the most commonly prescribed anxiety medications that your doctor can prescribe. These are the most effective medicines to treat anxiety disorders, according to research studies. The most commonly used SSRIs include sertraline (Zoloft) and fluoxetine (Prozac) and Citropram (Celexa), and escitalopram (Lexapro). These medications may cause mild side effects such as nausea and insomnia, but these usually subside in 4-8 weeks. In contrast to benzodiazepines, these are not addictive and won't increase your risk of having suicidal thoughts.

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

Antihistamines, such as Vistaril (hydroxyzine) were originally developed to relieve allergies. However they also serve to ease anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine has a calming effect by blocking the histamine receptors. It is not a controlled substance, so it does not have the same risks of addiction as benzodiazepines.

Another type of medication that may help with anxiety is a class of medications known as anticonvulsants, which have been shown to relieve anxiety by affecting the release and production of dopamine and serotonin. These medications are often prescribed as a part of a combination therapy or used to treat anxiety in the short-term. Your doctor Meds That Treat Anxiety will assess your health history and symptoms to determine if these drugs are suitable for you. They'll also talk about how treat anxiety and depression long you should take them for and any potential negative side effects. Anxiety medication is only available on prescription, so you'll need to visit a psychiatrist to get them.