Meds That Treat Anxiety

Anxiety affects 40 million people 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. In contrast to benzodiazepines, they're addictive.

SSRIs

The most effective anxiety treatment commonly used anxiety medication is selective serotonin reuptake inhibits (SSRIs), including citalopram, escitalopram, and fluoxetine. These medications are also used to treat depression and alleviate symptoms of other anxiety disorders like obsessive compulsive disorder. They can take up to a month before they start working.

They work by increasing the levels of certain chemical messengers in the brain, including serotonin and norepinephrine. They're usually the first treatment option for anxiety, but doctors also use other types of antidepressants as well as 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 work a little differently from SSRIs because they reduce the reabsorption rate of norepinephrine and serotonin, though at lower levels than SSRIs. These medicines take a long time to take effect and are more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) such as imipramine (Tofranil) are effective in treating certain anxiety disorders, notably GAD. However, their drowsiness and other adverse reactions make them less well-known. Another kind of antidepressant, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) can be used to treat anxiety. They are a high risk of toxicity and dietary restrictions make them unsuitable for use.

Benzodiazepines can be used to combat panic attacks and anxiety in the short-term in the meantime, while waiting for SSRIs and SNRIs. These drugs can trigger tolerance, sedation and addiction and withdrawal reactions that can cause rebound depression, anxiety, and even delirium. Benzodiazepines are commonly found in alprazolam as well as clonazepam and lorazepam.

Therapy is an essential component of the treatment for anxiety because it allows you to learn more about your symptoms and the causes. Many people discover that medication and therapy both help them cope. Certain studies have demonstrated that cognitive behavioral therapy is as effective as medication for anxiety. Talk with your physician about your options and what is the best option new treatments for anxiety you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines have a calming affect they reduce anxiety and relax muscles that are tight. They also ease symptoms of bodily stimulation related to fear (like heart rate or shaking), and promote sleep.

They function by binding to inhibitory neurons, for example GABA or gamma aminobutryic acid at receptors in the central nervous system. They increase the effects of GABA by activating its inhibitory effect on other neurotransmitters and decreasing the amount of messages that are that are sent to the amygdala. which is the brain's region which detects threats and gives the feeling of fear.

These medications are sometimes taken for short durations, such as during panic attacks or an anxiety episode. They can relieve symptoms within 30 to 60 minutes. Benzodiazepines, unlike SSRIs don't stay in the body for a long time. They're fast-acting and can work within a few hours. This makes them suitable for situations in which rapid relief is required (such as on an airplane or before a presentation in public).

Since they can be addictive, people are usually only prescribed them for up to four weeks at a go. After that they also lose their effectiveness.

One of the main reasons benzodiazepines are so well-known is that they are effective and have few side effects compared to their predecessors, such as barbiturates or meprobamate. They have a rapid time to begin their action and are very effective as anxiolytics (anti-anxiety), sedatives and anticonvulsants as well as as muscle relaxants.

Benzos have been blamed for the negative perceptions of anxiety that emerged in the 1970s and 1980s, which included the trivialization of the disorder and the perception that benzodiazepine treatment causes physical dependence. Yet, benzodiazepines continue to play a significant part in the treatment of anxiety treatment holistic disorders, especially when combined with psychosocial interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or interpersonal therapies.

Benzos can interact with other medications and trigger unwanted side effects, such as drowsiness, confusion or drowsiness. It is important to inform your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription, or herbal medicines you currently use or are planning to take. Go through the British National Formulary A to Z list of interactions with medications to find out which medicines are safe to take with benzodiazepines.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants can be effective in treating anxiety and mental illnesses. 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 to treat other health issues, such as eating disorders, bipolar disorder and certain kinds of pain.

Most doctors recommend SSRIs as the first-line treatment for anxiety, but these drugs may not be suitable for everyone. If the antidepressants do not work doctors may suggest an older form of medication known as a tetracyclic, or tricyclic antidepressant. These include amitriptyline and nortriptyline, as well as Clomipramine. They're less common than newer antidepressants, but still readily available. Your doctor can also prescribe the sedating antidepressant Trazodone (Desyrel) at lower doses for sleep or anxiety.

Nefazodone, also known as Ferdinand (Cymbalta), and duloxetine may also be useful. These medications are also available in generic form. If they aren't working, your physician can try the antidepressant that is sedating, mirtazapine (Remeron) or the antipsychotics quetiapine and olanzapine.

Beta blockers are used to treat anxiety disorders. They reduce blood pressure and heart rate by blocking adrenaline. These medications aren't typically used to treat anxiety by themselves however they can be effective when coupled with psychotherapy.

Psychological therapy can you treat anxiety without medication help you change negative thoughts and behaviours that cause anxiety. It can help you manage your anxiety and develop How to treat anxiety and stress to cope. Depending on the severity of your problem exposure therapy or cognitive behavior therapy might be recommended. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps you to challenge unhelpful and fearful thoughts, and overcome your avoidance of situations which trigger anxiety. Exposure therapy involves increasing the level of anxiety-inducing situations until they are manageable. It can be done either individually or in smaller groups. In both instances, it takes time to demonstrate results. A combination of medication and psychological therapy is the best option for some people. Some people find that meds alone are enough to manage their symptoms. Inform your doctor about how to treat anxiety acid reflux you manage your symptoms.

Other Medications

Other drugs can also help relieve your symptoms. Beta blockers and antihistamines are often prescribed to ease anxiety.

These drugs can help you reduce your symptoms, by reducing or blocking the signals that cause stress and fear. However, they're not a cure all. You'll still have to do other things to reduce anxiety, such as physical exercise, relaxation techniques, and psychological therapy.

Your doctor might initially prescribe one of the "first choice" anxiety medications, which include SSRIs and SNRIs. According to research, these medications are the most effective for treating anxiety disorders. The most commonly used SSRIs include sertraline (Zoloft) and the fluoxetine (Prozac), Citropram (Celexa), and escitalopram (Lexapro). These drugs can cause minor side effects, such as nausea and insomnia, but they usually disappear within 4-8 weeks. In contrast to benzodiazepines, these are not addictive and don't increase the risk of suicidal thoughts.

The benzodiazepines alprazolam (Xanax) and clonazepam (Klonopin), and diazepoxide (Valium) provide immediate relief from panic attacks and anxiety, but they can have negative effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, memory and coordination issues, as well as dependence. They're not as popular over the more traditional barbiturates but are just as efficient.

Antihistamines, like Vistaril (hydroxyzine), were developed to relieve allergies however, they're also used to reduce anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine can have a calming affect by blocking histamine receptors. It is not a controlled substance and therefore does not carry the same risk of addiction as benzodiazepines.

Anticonvulsants are another kind of medication that can be used to treat anxiety. They have been shown to reduce anxiety through interfering in the production and release of dopamine and sérotonin. They might be prescribed in conjunction with other medications or as a short-term treatment for anxiety. Your doctor will examine your medical history and symptoms to determine if these medications are appropriate for you. They will also discuss the duration of time you should take these medicines and any potential negative side effects that might occur. Anxiety medication is only available on prescription, which means you'll need to visit a psychiatrist to get these medications.