Women suffering from anxiety disorders experience chronic and severe symptoms. These affect her daily life and work. She is required to take medication and seek counseling.
Antidepressants can reduce anxiety. They work by increasing the serotonin levels in the brain. Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are a different treatment. These medications block the actions of noradrenaline and adrenaline, and have been shown to be effective in numerous studies.
Antidepressants
Antidepressants can help relieve anxiety for as high as 70% of those who use them. There are many types of antidepressants on the market and, like any medication, there are some adverse effects. Most of the time, these adverse effects are not severe and tends to diminish with treatment. Your doctor will keep track of you during the initial weeks of therapy and may change your treatment to a different type if one is not effective or causes too many side effects.
The most popular antidepressants for treating anxiety are the SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors). These medications alter the chemical levels in your body that affect your mood as well as your sleep and general feeling of well-being. They also help to control your physical symptoms, including muscle tension and headaches. Certain antidepressants with atypical properties like mirtazapine (Remeron) and Nefazodone (Sertraline) are helpful in treating anxiety as well.
If you suffer from generalized anxiety disorder gad anxiety disorder which is also known as GAD Your doctor will likely prescribe antidepressants as your first line of defense. They will be prescribed in combination with psychotherapy and other treatments like hypnotherapy to assist you in gaining control on your anxiety and learn to cope with it. These medications are very effective in treating anxiety and are usually safe when taken according to the directions.
Benzodiazepines possess a powerful and rapid-acting effect, however they can also trigger severe side effects, such as dizziness, attention and memory issues. They can also cause anxiety, irritability and drowsiness as well as addiction. They are used to treat anxiety and panic attacks in the short-term but also for more serious issues such as depression, stress and alcohol or drug abuse.
Antidepressants which are less dependent than benzodiazepines, are easier to quit than benzos. They do not cause the same physical dependence and withdrawal as benzodiazepines. However there are some patients who have unpleasant effects, like drowsiness and dry mouth. Other adverse effects include fatigue, sexual dysfunction and weight increase. They are not usually prescribed for long-term use, and are difficult to locate when you’re suffering from anxiety or depression.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines are powerful drugs that aid in alleviate acute episodes of anxiety and improve the quality of sleep. They do this by enhancing the activity of GABA which is a neurotransmitter that helps calm the central nerve systems. They also cause drowsiness that makes it easier to fall and stay asleep throughout the night. They may also trigger harmful side effects, such as addiction and physical dependency. They may develop over time, but only when taken in small amounts or only occasionally.
To prevent addiction, benzodiazepines are generally prescribed for short-term usage (often for just a few weeks or less) and are usually used in combination with other approaches to therapy, such as psychotherapy. They are not recommended for people with particular mental health issues, such as severe personality disorders or an history of drug abuse.
Long-term use of benzodiazepine can be problematic because tolerance to the sedative effects increases quite rapidly, requiring greater and higher doses to achieve the same effect. This can be very dangerous because the depressant effects on the brain stem effects can affect breathing and heart rate which can lead to respiratory depression and even death. The risk of developing this complication is increased by taking benzodiazepines with other depressants, such as alcohol or SSRIs.
The sedative effects of benzodiazepines are extremely risky, especially for people who are prone to seizures or have kidney or liver disease. Patients with these conditions should be closely monitored.
Physical dependence can also result from taking benzodiazepines over a long period of time. This is not the same thing as addiction. People who depend on benzodiazepines could suffer withdrawal symptoms if they stop taking them abruptly. It is essential to consult your doctor about the best method to taper off benzodiazepines.
Benzodiazepines can be snatched from the medicine cabinets of family and friends. To avoid unauthorized access it is recommended that the medication be secured. Healthcare providers are aware of the dangers of benzodiazepine dependence. They can help reduce that risk by recommending a program for the gradual withdrawal or switching to a different type of medication that has an a lesser chance of dependence.
Beta-blockers
While they are more commonly used to treat heart problems beta blockers such as propranolol are a powerful treatment for anxiety disorders. These medications can reduce anxiety symptoms by stopping adrenaline, a hormone that is responsible for stress by binding to receptors in the body. When adrenaline isn’t able to bind to receptors within your body, heart rate and blood pressure will decrease. These medications can also help ease the physical symptoms of anxiety, including a racing heart, sweating and nausea. These drugs are known for their quick effects. Many people notice a reduction in physical symptoms within one hour after taking their medication.
In contrast to antidepressants and benzodiazepines which are usually used on a long-term basis and require several weeks to begin working, beta blockers provide immediate relief from anxiety-related symptoms. They are an excellent choice for those looking to ease anxiety in certain situations, like prior to an appointment with a doctor or a public speaking. In fact, a review of research conducted on the use of propranolol for short-term use to treat anxiety showed that it is just as effective in treating certain kinds of anxiety as benzodiazepines and could be less likely to trigger dependence.
It is crucial to keep in mind that beta-blockers do not tackle the root of your anxiety. They just ease your immediate physical reactions to stressors. They are beneficial for those who suffer from social anxiety disorder anxiety or performance anxiety (stage terror) when the physical symptoms are acute anxiety disorder.
It is also important to remember that these drugs are most effective when they are part of a complete treatment plan. The ideal situation is that these medications be used alongside therapy that addresses underlying psychological issues as well as lifestyle changes that may contribute to anxiety. Talk to your doctor to find out if you are a candidate for this kind of medication or other treatments to treat anxiety-related symptoms. The aim is to live a life free of anxiety-related symptoms.
Psychotherapy
If you suffer from an anxiety-related condition, your nervousness is more intense and lasts longer. These symptoms can impact your personal and professional life. Psychotherapy and medication are commonly used to treat anxiety disorders. Medicines can help lower your anxiety and help you return to activities you love. The kind of medication you will require will depend on the level of anxiety you experience. It is possible to test various types of medication before you find the right one for you.
SSRIs are often the first drug prescribed for generalized anxiety disorder. These medications boost levels of serotonin, which is a chemical found in the brain that aids in relieving symptoms. The effects should be evident within a few weeks of starting treatment. Some SSRIs can cause adverse effects like stomach upset, nausea and insomnia, but these will improve as your body becomes accustomed to the medication.
If SSRIs do not provide enough relief for your anxiety, you could require a serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibition (SNRI). These medications boost serotonin levels and levels of noradrenaline in the brain to treat symptoms. When you first begin taking SNRIs you might suffer from side effects such as fatigue, headaches, and high functioning anxiety disorder blood pressure. However these side effects should go away when your body is accustomed to the medication.
Benzodiazepines slow down the activity of nerves in your brain. They are used to treat panic attacks, anxiety attacks and other mental disorders. They are available in a variety of potencies, such as diazepam of low-potency mid-potency lorazepam, as well as high-potency alprazolam and Clonazepam. While BZDs can be effective in treating anxiety, they are among the most misused drugs, and have the highest risk of sedation, addiction and overdose.
Newer treatments are focused on monamine and GABA neurotransmitters in the brain to treat anxiety disorders, however clinical trials are in progress, and their results have not been reported in full. D-cycloserine, an antibiotic and antituberculosis drug that increases the activity of amygdala NMDA receptors. This improves the ability to learn extinction in anxiety models. It is being investigated as a potential anxiolytic and has been used in the field of exposure therapy.