Anxiety Treatment Medications
Psychotherapy and medication can aid those suffering from anxiety disorders. Treatments for anxiety include benzodiazepines, such as Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Valium (diazepam).
Antidepressants can also treat anxiety. SSRIs such as citalopram (Celexa) and fluoxetine (Prozac) work by preventing neurons in the brain from absorbing serotonin 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 a long time. This is why they should always be prescribed and administered under the guidance of a doctor. They can be useful as an “as needed” treatment for panic attacks and other severe anxiety attacks. Benzos are often utilized in conjunction with other medicines, such as antidepressants and psychotherapy (talk therapy), as part of a comprehensive treatment plan for anxiety disorders.
Benzos are extremely effective for short-term anxiety relief, and they can assist you in getting the best night’s sleep anxiety treatment. They can be hazardous if abused and are not recommended for use in conjunction with other medications. When benzodiazepines are combined with sedatives such as alcohol and opioid pain medication, the risk of death or overdose increases. They also can interfere negatively with certain antidepressants and cause severe withdrawal symptoms.
When prescribed by your doctor When prescribed by your doctor, benzodiazepines can be very effective and safe when treating anxiety disorders. However, many doctors are cautious when it comes to taking them because they can be addictive and have negative side effects like memory loss. Long-term use of these drugs can cause severe withdrawal symptoms and those who become dependent are often unable stop taking them without experiencing serious side effects, such as seizures and depression. The key to long term benzo use is to prescribe them only to patients who may benefit from their use, and making use of them in settings that are likely to improve anxiety symptoms, and avoiding prolonged withdrawal or abrupt discontinuation and minimizing the chance of abuse, and combing them with a psychological treatment.
Anxiety medication like benzodiazepines are a great way to reduce anxiety. They do this by blocking certain nerves signals and preventing their transmission to the brain. These medications can aid in sleeping better and feel less anxious, but they won’t solve the underlying problem that’s making you feel anxious (like increasing bills or a strained relationship).
There are some natural ways to ease your anxiety, such as exercise, meditation and yoga. Cognitive behavioral therapy is another treatment. You learn to conquer the irrational fears and anxieties.
Antidepressants
SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are a viable option for anxiety because they affect the brain to regulate mood. It can take up to four weeks for them to begin working. If someone does not feel better during that time, they should talk with their doctor about changing their medications.
Antidepressants like mirtazapine and nefazodone can be effective in treating anxiety depression treatment. They may be more effective when than older medications such as venlafaxine and XR. However it’s important to keep in mind that these medications can cause a severe reaction in some individuals. If you experience this reaction, call healthdirect at 1800 022222 and talk to a registered nurse.
MAOIs are a different kind of antidepressant which can be used to treat anxiety. They block the action of enzymes that break down chemicals in the brain which include dopamine and noradrenaline. This allows the levels these chemicals to increase, with a positive effect on mood. MAOIs are generally reserved for patients who do not respond to other kinds of antidepressants, however they can be very effective in treating anxiety.
The most effective antidepressants for anxiety are the tricyclic antidepressants. These drugs treat mental and anxiety disorders in a way similar to SSRIs, but with fewer adverse effects. These medications start with a low dose and their effectiveness improves as the dosage is increased. Tricyclics are effective in treating anxiety, panic disorders, and obsessive compulsive disorder. However, they might not be as effective when treating generalized anxiety disorder.
Buspirone, a newer antidepressant is also used to combat anxiety. It is a mild tranquilizer that doesn’t have the same side-effects as benzodiazepines. It also doesn’t hinder the ability to concentrate and memory. It works by increasing serotonin levels in the brain, and reducing dopamine. As high as 70% of those who take the drug find it effective. As the drug is taken longer, the risk of side effects decrease. Talk therapy, like exposure therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy, can be incorporated with these medications to improve their effect.
Buspirone
Buspirone is a generic medication used to treat travel anxiety treatment disorders. It is taken orally, usually twice daily. It is not a controlled drug however, there is a chance of abuse.
Doctors aren’t sure exactly how it works, but they think that buspirone can reduce the amount and action of a chemical called serotonin in certain parts of the brain. This makes the nervous systems less sensitive to anxiety and stress.
In general, doctors consider buspirone as a drug that is safe for most people. It’s generally regarded to have a lower level of toxicity and a lower risk of addiction than barbiturates or benzodiazepines. However, like other medications, it can cause adverse reactions. The most common side effects are nausea and dizziness. Buspirone can interact with other medicines, supplements, and ingredients. Inform your doctor if you take any of these prior to beginning the medication.
If you are older than 65, your doctor might prescribe buspirone at a lower dose. This is due to the fact that older people tend meds to treat anxiety and depression react differently to drugs than younger people. This is especially true of drugs that affect the nervous system.
It’s also essential to inform your doctor if taking an inhibitor of monoamine oxidase, like isocarboxazid (Marplan) or linezolid (Zyvox) and Phenelzine (Nardil) selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar) or tranylcypromine (Parnate). Buspirone can cause serious side effects by increasing the concentrations of these drugs.
Inform your doctor whether you suffer from kidney or liver diseases stomach problems, breastfeeding or pregnant. In these cases, certain medicines, such as SSRIs might not be appropriate for you.
If buspirone isn’t working or you’re unable to take it due to an illness or interaction with other medications, your doctor will prescribe an alternative treatments for anxiety form of treatment for Anxiety Treatment Medicines. It could be a new type of antidepressant such as Lexapro, Prozac, a beta-blocker such as propranolol, or a benzodiazepine, such as Xanax. The PIL for each drug will include more details on the best way to take it and possible adverse effects.
Other Medical Treatments
In addition to medications there are other options to help reduce anxiety. Psychotherapy or talk therapy is a possibility. Psychotherapy can teach you how to cope with anxiety and change your way of thinking. Other options include acquiring relaxation techniques as well as maintaining a regular exercise routine, and avoiding drugs and alcohol. Herbal medicines can be helpful for people suffering from anxiety symptoms. If these alternatives don’t work, consult your doctor.
The two major categories of medication used to combat anxiety. Benzodiazepines like Ativan (lorazepam), enhance the function of gamma-aminobutyric acids, or GABA which is found in your brain to help promote calmness. They can bring relief quickly but they also become addictive if used for a long time. Antidepressants are more difficult to use but they help regulate the levels in your brain of specific neurotransmitters. These chemicals affect your mood.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, are the most popular type of antidepressant that is used to treat anxiety. They boost the levels of the chemical messenger serotonin in your brain, which can improve your mood and make you feel less anxious. Another class of antidepressants, serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors or SNRIs, prevent the reabsorption of both serotonin and norepinephrine into your brain, thereby increasing levels of these chemicals and making you feel more energized. Monoamine inhibitors of oxidase (MAOIs) are a third antidepressant group that is often prescribed by people who do not respond to SSRIs to combat anxiety.
There are also a number of other medicines that are often used to treat anxiety, such as azapirones (such as buspirone) as well as beta- and alpha-blockers, antihistamines (such as hydroxyzine), and clonidine. These medications have a lower chance of success than SSRIs or benzodiazepines.
Although medication is an effective treatment for anxiety however, it shouldn’t be your only treatment you use. If you have an underlying reason for your anxiety, like debt, poor diet, or a problematic relationship, non-medicative treatments could be more efficient. Other options include cognitive-behavioral therapy, also known as CBT; biofeedback, which allows you to manage your brain waves by using a monitor device; and mindfulness meditation, which is a type of meditation that focuses on the present moment.