What Experts Say You Should Know
Meds That Treat Anxiety
Anxiety affects more than 40 million adults in the United States. It's highly treatable, with numerous medications 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. In contrast to benzodiazepines, they're addictive.
SSRIs
The most commonly used anxiety medication is selective serotonin reuptake inhibits (SSRIs) comprising citalopram, escitalopram, and fluoxetine. These medications also help with depression, and can alleviate the symptoms of anxiety disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It can take up to one month for them to begin working.
These drugs work by boosting the amount of certain chemical messengers in the brain, such as serotonin and norepinephrine. These are typically the first choice for treating anxiety, though doctors may also prescribe other types of antidepressants and benzodiazepines.
Another class of antidepressants known as serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) like duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor) are used to treat anxiety. They differ from SSRIs since they reduce norepinephrine, however at a lower level than SSRIs. These medicines take a long time to be effective and are more expensive than SSRIs.
Tricyclic antidepressants like imipramine Tofranil, can be effective in treating anxiety disorders. However, their drowsiness and other adverse reactions are what make them less popular. Monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs) are another type of antidepressant that can be used to combat anxiety. However, their strict dietary restrictions and the high risk of toxicity limit their usage.
Benzodiazepines can be used to combat panic attacks and anxiety in the short-term in the meantime, while waiting for SSRIs and SNRIs. These medications can cause tolerance, sedation and addiction as well as withdrawal reactions that can cause rebound depression, anxiety, and even delirium. Benzodiazepines are typically found in alprazolam as well as clonazepam and lorazepam.
Therapy is an essential part of any treatment plan for anxiety. It helps you to better know your symptoms and their root causes. Many people discover that medication and therapy both aid in coping. Some studies have shown that cognitive behavioral therapy can be just as effective as medications for anxiety. Talk to your doctor about your options and determine what is the best treatment for anxiety depression option for you.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines can have a calming effect they reduce anxiety and relax muscles that are tight. They also ease symptoms of fear-related bodily arousal (like heart rate and shaking) and help promote sleep.
They function by binding to inhibitory neurons, for example GABA or gamma aminobutryic acid, at receptors within the central nervous system. They enhance GABA's effects by facilitating the inhibitory effect of GABA on other neurotransmitters and decreasing the amount of messages sent to amygdala. This is a part of the brain that is able to detect the threat and triggers a feeling of fear.
These medications are sometimes taken for short durations like an attack of panic or a severe anxiety episode. They may relieve symptoms within 30 to 60 minutes. In contrast to SSRIs, benzodiazepines don't remain in the body for very long. They are fast acting and can be used in a matter of hours. This makes them suitable for situations in which quick relief is required (such as during an airplane ride or before a presentation in public).
They can be addictive, so people are usually prescribed them for up to 4 weeks at each time. After that period they become less effective.
One of the reasons why the benzodiazepines became so well-known is they were efficient and had few side effects when compared with their predecessors like barbiturates or meprobamate. They are fast in the start of action and are very useful as anxiolytics (anti-anxiety), sedatives and anticonvulsants as well as as muscle relaxants.
Benzos have been blamed for the negative attitudes toward anxiety that developed in the 1970s and 1980s. This included the trivialization of the disorder and the perception that benzodiazepine treatment can lead to physical dependence. Despite this, they continue to play a significant role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, specifically in combination with psychosocial interventions like cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy.
Benzos may interact with other medications and trigger unwanted side effects, like drowsiness or confusion. You should tell your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription, or herbal medications that you are currently taking or are planning to take. Check the British National Formulary A to Z list of medication interactions to find out which medications are safe when taken with benzodiazepines.
Antidepressants
Antidepressants can ease anxiety and other mental health problems. 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 weak legs anxiety treatment disorder (GAD). The FDA has approved several antidepressants to treat other health ailments, too, such as eating disorders, certain kinds of pain and bipolar disorder.
SSRIs are typically prescribed as a first-line treatment option for anxiety by doctors, but they might not work for all people. If these antidepressants don't work doctors may suggest an older version called a tetracyclic or tricyclic antidepressant. They include amitriptyline, nortriptyline as well as clomipramine. They're not as popular as the latest antidepressants but are still readily available. You can also ask your doctor to prescribe the sedating antidepressant, trazodone(Desyrel) at lower doses if you are having sleep problems or anxiety.
Nefazodone, also referred to as Ferdinand (Cymbalta) and duloxetine are also helpful. These medications are also available in generic form. If they aren't working, your physician can try the tranquilizing antidepressant mirtazapine (Remeron) or the antipsychotics quetiapine or olanzapine.
Beta blockers are used to treat other anxiety disorders. They reduce blood pressure and heart rate by blocking adrenaline. These drugs aren't usually used to treat anxiety by themselves however they can be beneficial when combined with psychological therapy.
Psychotherapy can assist you to change negative thoughts and behaviors that contribute towards your anxiety. It will help you learn to manage your anxiety treatment elderly and develop coping skills. Depending on the severity of your condition exposure therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy might be recommended. Cognitive behavioural therapy teaches you to challenge fears and thoughts that are harmful, and overcome your avoidance of situations that trigger anxiety. Exposure therapy involves gradually increasing the level of anxiety-inducing situations until you are able to manage the stressors. This can be done in a single session or in small groups. In both cases it takes time to show results. Some people find that a combination of psychotherapy and medication is the best option. Others find that meds alone are sufficient to control their symptoms. It is important to inform your doctor about the things you're doing to control your symptoms.
Other Medications
While antidepressants and benzodiazepines are the most frequently prescribed treatment for anxiety, other medications can help alleviate your symptoms too. Antihistamines and beta blockers are often prescribed to ease anxiety.
These drugs can help you alleviate your symptoms by lowering or blocking the signals that cause stress and fear. They're not a panacea. You will still have to take steps to manage anxiety, such as physical exercise relaxation techniques, relaxation techniques and psychotherapy.
Your doctor may first prescribe one of the "first choice" anxiety medications, which are SSRIs and SNRIs. These are the most effective medicines for treating anxiety disorders according to research studies. SSRIs are typically found in sertraline (Zoloft) as well as the fluoxetine, citalopram and escitalopram. These drugs may cause minor side effects, such as insomnia or nausea, however they usually subside within 4-8 weeks. They aren't addictive and they do not increase the risk of suicidal thoughts.
The benzodiazepines, alprazolam (Xanax) and clonazepam (Klonopin) and diazepoxide (Valium) provide immediate relief for panic attacks and anxiety, but they can have negative effects such as dizziness, drowsiness and coordination issues, and dependence. These drugs are less popular than the older barbiturates, but they are equally effective.
Antihistamines, such as Vistaril (hydroxyzine) were initially created to treat allergies. However they also serve to ease anxiety non medication treatments symptoms. Hydroxyzine can have a calming effect by blocking the histamine receptors. It is not a controlled drug and does not have the same risks of addiction as benzodiazepines.
Another type of medication that can help with anxiety is a class of medications known as anticonvulsants, which have been proven to reduce anxiety by inhibiting the production and release of dopamine and serotonin. These medications can be prescribed as part of an integrated therapy or to treat anxiety in the short term. Your doctor will review your medical history and symptoms to determine if these medications are suitable for you. They'll also talk about how can i treat anxiety without medication long you should take them for and any potential negative side effects. Anxiety medications can only be purchased on prescription, which means you'll need to see a psychiatrist to get these medications.
