Anxiety Treatment Medications
People with anxiety disorders often improve with psychotherapy and medication. Benzodiazepines such as Xanax, Klonopin, and Valium are used to combat anxiety.
Antidepressants also help treat anxiety. SSRIs like citalopram (Celexa) and fluoxetine (Prozac) are effective in preventing nerve cells in the brain from absorbing serotonin which is a chemical that affects mood.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines (benzos) are powerful drugs that are effective in treating anxiety and can be used quickly. They are also physically addictive and carry serious safety risks if used for prolonged periods. They should only be taken under the supervision of a doctor. They can be used as an “as-needed” treatment for panic episodes and other anxiety disorders that are severe. Benzos can be utilized in combination with psychotherapy, antidepressants and other medications to treat anxiety disorders.
Benzos are extremely effective for short-term anxiety treatment and can assist you in getting a good night’s sleep. They can be harmful when misused and are not recommended for use with other medicines. When combined with sedatives such as alcohol or opioid pain medication, benzodiazepines could increase the risk of a fatal overdose and even death. They may also interact negatively with certain antidepressants, causing severe withdrawal symptoms.
When prescribed by your doctor, benzodiazepines can be efficient and safe for treating anxiety disorders. A lot of doctors are cautious when prescribing them due to the fact that they can trigger addiction and have adverse side effects, such as memory loss. Long-term use can cause severe withdrawal reactions, and people who become dependent are often not able to stop taking them without experiencing severe symptoms such as depression and seizures. The key to long-term benzo use is: prescribing them only to patients who could benefit from their use, and making use of them in settings that are likely improve anxiety symptoms, avoiding long-term withdrawal or abrupt discontinuation and minimizing the risk of abuse and using them in conjunction with effective psychological interventions.
Anxiety medication, such as benzodiazepines, can reduce anxiety by blocking certain nerve signals and preventing them from being released in the brain. These drugs can assist you in sleeping more comfortably and feel less stressed, but they won’t solve the root issue that’s causing you feel anxious (like mounting bills or a strained relationship).
Exercise, meditation yoga, and meditation are all natural ways to lessen anxiety treatment Medicines. Cognitive behavioral therapy is another treatment. You can learn to overcome the irrational fears and anxieties.
Antidepressants
SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are a great alternative for those suffering from anxiety as they work on the brain to control mood. It could take up four weeks for them to start working. If one does not feel better during that time it is recommended to talk with their doctor about changing their medication.
Antidepressants like mirtazapine or nefazodone can be effective in treating anxiety. They may work faster than older drugs like venlafaxine or XR. However it is important to remember that these drugs can trigger severe reactions in some individuals. If they have this reaction, they should seek emergency medical attention or call healthdirect at 1800 022 222 for a chat with a registered nurse (known as NURSE-ON-CALL Victoria).
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors, also known as MAOIs are a different type of antidepressant employed to treat anxiety. They block the action of enzymes that break down chemicals in the brain such as dopamine and noradrenaline. This allows the levels of these chemicals to rise which has a positive effect on mood. MAOIs are generally reserved for those who do not improve on other antidepressants, however, they can be effective in treating anxiety.
Tricyclic antidepressants are amongst the most effective antidepressants for treating anxiety. These drugs treat mental and anxiety disorders in a way similar as SSRIs, but with fewer side-effects. These medications start at a low dose, and their effectiveness increases as dosage is increased. Tricyclics are effective for treating anxiety, panic disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder however, they are not likely to aid in treating generalized anxiety disorder.
Buspirone, a more recent antidepressant is also used for anxiety. It is a mild tranquilizer that doesn’t have the same side-effects as benzodiazepines. It also doesn’t impair the ability to concentrate and memory. It works by boosting the serotonin levels in the brain, and reducing dopamine levels. About 70% of people who try the drug will find it effective. As the drug is taken longer, side effects tend decrease. Talk therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy and/or exposure therapy, can be incorporated with these medications to enhance their effectiveness.
Buspirone
Buspirone is a generic drug used to treat anxiety disorders. It is taken orally, usually twice daily. It is not a controlled drug however, there is a potential for abuse.
Doctors aren’t certain of the exact way buspirone works, but believe that it reduces the amount of serotonin and its effects in certain regions of the brain. This makes the nervous systems less sensitive to anxiety and stress.
In general, doctors believe that buspirone is as a drug that is safe for most people. It’s generally thought as having a lower degree of toxicity, and a lesser risk for addiction than barbiturates and benzodiazepines. Like other medications, it may cause side effects. The most common ones are nausea and dizziness. It is important to inform your doctor about all the medicines, supplements and other ingredients that you are taking before starting buspirone, because it could interact with them.
If you are older than 65, your doctor could prescribe buspirone in a lower dosage. This is because older people tend to respond to drugs differently than younger individuals do. This is particularly true for drugs that affect the nervous system.
Tell your doctor the doctor if any of these medicines are taking by you. These include isocarboxazid, selegiline, phenelzine, linezolid, Emsam, Zelapar, and tranylcypromine. Buspirone can increase levels of these drugs in your body, which can lead to serious adverse side effects.
Inform your doctor if you suffer from liver disease, kidney problems stomach problems, pregnant, or breastfeed. Some medicines, such as SSRIs might not be appropriate for you in these situations.
If buspirone isn’t effective or you’re unable to take it due to a medical condition or interaction with a different medication Your doctor may prescribe an alternative form of treatment for anxiety. This could be a different type of antidepressant like Lexapro or Prozac or beta blockers like propranolol, or a benzodiazepine drug, such as Xanax. The PIL for each drug will contain additional information on the best way to treat anxiety way to take it and possible adverse reactions.
Other Medical Treatments
In addition to medication there are other options to help reduce anxiety. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is one of the options. Psychotherapy can assist you in changing the way you think about your anxiety and teach you strategies for coping to reduce it. Other options include learning relaxation skills, maintaining a regular workout routine, and staying away from alcohol and other drugs. Some people experience relief from anxiety-related symptoms by taking herbal medicines. If you try these options and they don’t help talk to your doctor.
Medicines used as an anxiety treatment typically fall into two broad categories: benzodiazepines and antidepressants. Benzodiazepines, such as Ativan (lorazepam) are able to increase the function of gamma-aminobutyric acids, or GABA in your brain to help promote tranquility. They offer quick relief, but can become addictive if taken for long periods of time. Antidepressants are slower to work however they can balance the levels in your brain of certain chemicals called neurotransmitters that affect your mood.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs are the most well-known kind of antidepressant used to treat anxiety. They increase the amount serotonin, a chemical messenger in your brain. This can boost your mood and make you feel less weak legs anxiety treatment. Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) are a different antidepressant that blocks the reabsorption of serotonin as well as norepinephrine from your brain. This raises levels of these chemicals in your body, which makes you feel more energized. A third class of antidepressants known as monoamine oxide inhibitors, also known as MAOIs, are used to treat anxiety among people who don’t respond to SSRIs.
There are many other medicines that can be used to treat anxiety. They include azapirones, beta- and Alpha-blockers, Antihistamines, such as hydroxyzine, and Clonidine. Most of these have a lower success rate than SSRIs and benzodiazepines.
While medication is an effective treatment for anxiety, it shouldn’t always be used. Non-drug treatments can be more effective if there is an underlying reason for your anxiety such as debt, poor diet or an unhealthy relationship. Other options include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), biofeedback (which teaches you how to treat anxiety attacks to control your brain waves using a monitoring device), and mindfulness meditation.