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Meds That Treat Anxiety

Anxiety is one of the most common mental health conditions that affects 40 million adults in the United States. It's highly treatable, with many types of 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. They aren't addictive, unlike benzodiazepines.

SSRIs

The most common anxiety medication is selective serotonin inhibits (SSRIs) comprising citalopram, escitalopram, and fluoxetine. These drugs are also used to treat depression as well as relieve symptoms of anxiety disorders such as obsessive compulsive disorder. It could take up to one month before they begin working.

These medications are effective by increasing the quantity of certain chemical transmitters in the brain. This includes serotonin and norepinephrine as well as dopamine. These drugs are usually the first option to treat anxiety, though doctors may prescribe other forms of antidepressants and benzodiazepines.

Another class of antidepressants, known as serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) such as duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor) are used to treat anxiety. They operate a bit differently from SSRIs because they reduce the reabsorption of norepinephrine and serotonin, but at lower levels than SSRIs. These medicines may take a few days to begin taking effects, and also are more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants like imipramine Tofranil, can be effective for treating anxiety disorders. However their drowsiness as well as other side effects are what make them less popular. Monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs) are another type of antidepressant that can be used to combat anxiety. Their high risk of toxicity and the restriction on dietary intake make them unsuitable for use.

Benzodiazepines are often used to treat anxiety and panic attacks in the short term, such as when waiting for SSRIs or SNRIs to begin working. These medications can trigger addiction, tolerance, and sedation, as well as withdrawal symptoms such a rebound anxiety, depression, and delirium. The most commonly used benzodiazepines are alprazolam (Xanax) as well as Clonazepam (Klonopin) and lorazepam (Ativan).

Therapy is an essential component of a natural treatment for anxiety and depression plan for anxiety as it can help you discover more about the symptoms and the reasons. Many people find that both therapy and medication aid them cope with anxiety. Some studies have shown that cognitive behavioral therapy is as effective as medications for anxiety. Consult your physician to determine what is the best option for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines create a calming effect, decrease anxiety and relax tense muscles. They also reduce symptoms of fear-related bodily arousal (like heart racing and shaking) and promote sleep.

They work by binding inhibitory neurons, for example GABA or gamma aminobutryic acid, at receptors within the central nervous system. They increase the effects of GABA by facilitating the inhibitory effect of GABA on other neurotransmitters and by reducing the volume of messages sent to amygdala. This is a part of the brain that is able to detect threats and produces a feeling of fear.

These drugs can be used for short periods of time for instance, when panic attacks occur or if you are experiencing extreme anxiety. They can help ease the symptoms within 30 to 90 minutes of taking them. Benzodiazepines, unlike SSRIs do not stay in the body long. They're fast-acting and can work within a couple of hours. This makes them ideal for situations when immediate relief is needed (such for instance, during an airplane ride or before a presentation in public).

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

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 meprobamate or barbiturates. They have a quick time to begin their action and are very effective as anxiolytics (anti-anxiety), sedatives, anticonvulsants, as well as for muscle relaxants.

Benzos have been blamed for the negative attitudes towards anxiety that emerged in the 1970s and 1980s, which included the trivialization of the disorder and the perception that benzodiazepine treatment can lead to physical dependence. Despite this, benzodiazepines continue to play a major role in the treatment anxiety for anxiety disorders, especially when combined with psychosocial interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapies.

Benzos can interact with other medications and cause undesirable side-effects like drowsiness or confusion. It is recommended to inform your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription, or herbal medication you are currently taking or plan to take. Take a look at the British National Formulary A to Z list of interactions with medications to determine which medications are safe with benzodiazepines.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants are effective in treating anxiety and other mental disorders. 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 antidepressants for other health conditions, including eating disorders, bipolar disorder and certain kinds of pain.

Most doctors prescribe SSRIs as the first-line treatment for anxiety, but these medications may not be effective for all people. If these antidepressants aren't working the doctor might suggest an older type called a tetracyclic or tricyclic antidepressant. These include amitriptyline, nortriptyline, clomipramine and trimipramine, dothiepin, doxepin or imipramine. They're less common than newer antidepressants, yet they're still readily available. You may ask your doctor to prescribe the sedating antidepressant trazodone(Desyrel) in lower doses if you're experiencing stomach anxiety treatment or sleep problems.

Nefazodone, also referred to as Ferdinand (Cymbalta) and duloxetine can also be helpful. They're also available in generic form. If they don't work your doctor, he may suggest the antipsychotics quetiapine and Olanzapine or the sedative antidepressant Mirtazapine.

Beta blockers are used to treat anxiety disorders. They reduce blood pressure and heart rate by blocking adrenaline. These drugs aren't commonly used to treat anxiety on their own, but can be helpful when paired with psychotherapy.

Psychological therapy can help you overcome negative thoughts and behavior patterns that contribute to your anxiety. It can help you manage your anxiety and teach you strategies for coping. Based on your specific situation, you may be treated with cognitive behavioural therapy or exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioural therapy can help you develop the ability to confront negative thoughts, fearful thoughts and to overcome avoidance of situations that trigger anxiety. Exposure therapy involves gradually increasing the level of anxiety-inducing situations until you are able to manage them. This can be done in a single session or in small groups. In both cases, results take time to appear. A combination of medications and psychological therapy is the best choice for some people. Others discover that medications alone are sufficient to treat their symptoms. It's crucial to tell your doctor about the things you're doing to control your symptoms.

Other Medicines

While benzodiazepines and antidepressants are the most frequently prescribed medications to treat anxiety, other drugs can help ease your symptoms as well. Antihistamines and beta blockers are sometimes prescribed to relieve anxiety.

These drugs can correct an imbalance in the brain's chemicals and can help alleviate symptoms by reducing or blocking the signals that trigger anxiety and stress. They're not a panacea. You'll need to continue doing other things to manage anxiety, such as physical exercise as well as relaxation techniques and psychotherapy.

Your doctor might initially prescribe one of the "first choices" anxiety medications, which include SSRIs and SNRIs. According to research, these medications are the most effective for treating anxiety disorders. SSRIs are commonly found in sertraline (Zoloft), fluoxetine, citalopram, and escitalopram. These medications may have mild side effects, such as nausea or insomnia, but they typically subside within 4-8 weeks. In contrast to benzodiazepines, these are not addictive and do not increase the risk of suicidal thoughts.

The benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam, clonazepam, and diazepoxide, (Valium), provide immediate relief from panic and anxiety attacks. However, they can cause adverse effects, including dizziness and drowsiness. They can also cause problems with coordination and memory, and even dependence. These medications are less well-known than the older barbiturates, but they are equally effective.

Antihistamines like Vistaril (hydroxyzine) are created to treat allergies however, they're also employed to alleviate anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine block histamine receptors within the brain and can cause the body to relax. It's not a controlled substance, so it doesn't have the same dangers of addiction as benzodiazepines.

Anticonvulsants are an additional kind of medication that can be used to treat anxiety. They have been found to reduce anxiety by interfering in the production and release dopamine and sérotonin. They may be prescribed in combination with other medicines or as a short-term treatment for anxiety. Your doctor will examine your health history and symptoms to determine if these medications are right for you. They'll also talk about how long you should be taking them and any potential side effects. Anxiety medications are only available on prescription, which means you'll need to visit an astrologer to obtain them.