Meds That Treat Anxiety

Anxiety is one of the most prevalent mental health issues that affects 40 million adults in the United States. There are a variety of medications available natural ways to treat depression and anxiety 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. Contrary to benzodiazepines they're not addictive.

SSRIs

The most popular anxiety medication is selective serotonin inhibits (SSRIs) comprising citalopram, escitalopram, and fluoxetine. These medications can also treat depression, and they can help relieve the symptoms of anxiety disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It could take up to one month for them to start working.

These medications are effective by increasing the quantity of certain chemical transmitters that are present in the brain. This includes serotonin and norepinephrine as well as dopamine. They're usually the first treatment option for anxiety, however doctors also employ other kinds of antidepressants and benzodiazepines.

Antidepressants such as duloxetine, (Cymbalta), and venlafaxine (Effexor) are also used for anxiety. They function a bit differently than SSRIs, as they also reduce the reabsorption rate of norepinephrine and serotonin, but at lower levels than SSRIs. These medications take a long time to work and are more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) such as imipramine (Tofranil) can be effective in treating certain anxiety disorders, particularly GAD. Their drowsiness, as well as other side effects are what make them less well-liked. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are another kind of antidepressant used to combat anxiety. Their high risk of toxicity and restrictions on diets make them unsuitable for use.

Benzodiazepines can be used to treat panic attacks and anxiety in the short-term in the meantime, while waiting for SSRIs and SNRIs. These medications can cause tolerance, sedation and anxiety treatment plan addiction as well as withdrawal reactions that may cause anxiety, depression and even delusions. Common benzodiazepines include alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin) and lorazepam (Ativan).

Therapy is a crucial component of an anxiety treatment plan as it can help you discover more about the symptoms and the causes. Many people discover that medication and therapy help them to cope. In fact, some studies suggest that cognitive therapy works just as well as medications for anxiety. Talk to your doctor about your options and which could be the best choice for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines have a calming affect they reduce anxiety and relax muscles that are tense. They also alleviate symptoms of bodily stimulation related to fear (like heart rate or trembling), and promote sleep.

The way they work is through binding to inhibitory neurotransmitters like gamma-aminobutryic acids or GABA which is a receptor in the central nervous system. They boost the effects of GABA by facilitating the inhibitory effect of GABA on other neurotransmitters and reducing the number of messages that are sent to the amygdala. This is a region of the brain that is able to detect threats and creates a sense of fear.

These medications can be used for short durations of time like when you experience a panic attack or if you are experiencing severe anxiety. They can help ease symptoms within 30 to 90 minutes of taking them. Benzodiazepines are, in contrast to SSRIs don't stay in the body for a long time. They're quick-acting and can be effective within a few hours. This makes them ideal for anxiety treatment plan situations in which quick relief is required (such as during a flight or prior to presenting in public).

As they can be addictive, people are usually only prescribed them up to four weeks at a go. They also lose their effectiveness after a period of time.

One of the main reasons benzodiazepines are so popular is that they are efficient and have fewer negative effects compared to predecessors, such as barbiturates or meprobamate. They have a quick onset of action and are extremely effective as anxiolytics (anti-anxiety), sedatives, anticonvulsants, as well as for muscle relaxants.

Benzos are often blamed for the negative attitudes towards anxiety that emerged in the 1970s and 1980s. This included the trivialization of the disorder and the belief that benzodiazepine treatment leads to physical dependence. However they still play a crucial role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, especially in combination with psychosocial interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy.

Benzos can interact with other medications and trigger unwanted side effects, like drowsiness or confusion. It is recommended to inform your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription, or herbal medications that you currently take or plan to take. Check the British National Formulary A to Z list of medication interactions to find out what medications are safe when taken with benzodiazepines.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants can be effective in treating anxiety and other mental conditions. 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 to treat other health ailments, too, such as eating disorders, certain types of pain and bipolar disorder.

SSRIs are typically prescribed as a first-line treatment for panic and anxiety attacks for anxiety by doctors, however they might not work for all people. If these antidepressants don't work the doctor might suggest an older type known as a tetracyclic or tricyclic antidepressant. These include amitriptyline and nortriptyline, clomipramine and dothiepin, doxepin, trimipramine or imipramine. They're less common than newer antidepressants, yet they're still readily available. Your doctor may also prescribe the antidepressant with a sedating effect, Trazodone (Desyrel) at lower doses to treat pediatric anxiety treatment or insomnia.

Other antidepressants that could help include nefazodone (Ferdinand) and duloxetine (Cymbalta). They're 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 other anxiety disorders. They lower heart rate and blood pressure by blocking adrenaline. These drugs aren't usually used to treat anxiety on their own however they can be beneficial when paired with psychological therapy.

Psychological therapy can help you to change negative thoughts and behaviors that cause anxiety. It will help you learn to control your anxiety, and develop coping strategies. Based on the severity of your condition, exposure therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy could be suggested. Cognitive behavioural therapy assists you to learn to challenge unhelpful thoughts, fears and the fear of situations that trigger your anxiety. Exposure therapy involves gradually increasing the intensity of anxiety-inducing situations until are able to manage the stressors. It can be performed either in a group, or by yourself. In both cases it takes time to achieve results. A combination of medication and psychological therapy is the best choice for some people. Some people discover that medications alone are enough to manage their symptoms. Discuss with your doctor how you manage your symptoms.

Other Medicines

While antidepressants and benzodiazepines are the most frequently prescribed medications to treat anxiety, other medications can ease your symptoms too. Beta blockers and antihistamines are often prescribed to alleviate anxiety.

These medications correct an imbalance in your brain's chemical balance and can you treat anxiety without medication alleviate symptoms by reducing or blocking the signals that can cause anxiety and stress. However, they'ren't a cure all. You will still have to take steps to manage anxiety, such as physical exercise relaxation techniques, relaxation techniques and psychotherapy.

Your doctor could first prescribe one of the "first choice" anxiety medications, which include SSRIs and SNRIs. According to studies, these medications are the most effective for treating anxiety disorders. The most commonly used SSRIs include sertraline (Zoloft) as well as the fluoxetine (Prozac), citalopram (Celexa), and escitalopram (Lexapro). These medications can cause mild side effects like insomnia and nausea, but these usually subside in 4-8 weeks. They aren't addictive, and they do not increase the likelihood of suicidal thoughts.

The benzodiazepines, alprazolam (Xanax) and clonazepam (Klonopin), and diazepoxide (Valium) offer immediate relief from panic attacks and anxiety however they can also cause side effects, including drowsiness, dizziness, memory and coordination problems, and dependence. These are less popular than older barbiturates but are equally effective.

Antihistamines, such as Vistaril (hydroxyzine) were originally created to treat allergies. However, they are also used to alleviate anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine blocks the histamine receptors in the brain, and can trigger an energizing effect. It's not a controlled substance, so it doesn't have the same addiction risks like benzodiazepines.

Another kind of medication that can help with anxiety is a group of medications called anticonvulsants. They have been proven to reduce anxiety by affecting the production and release of dopamine and serotonin. They may be prescribed in combination with other medicines or as a short-term treatment for anxiety. Your doctor will examine your symptoms and health history to determine whether these medications are suitable for you. They'll also talk about how long you should take them and any potential negative side effects. Anxiety medication is only available on prescription, which means that a psychiatrist will be required to prescribe it.