Medications to Treat Anxiety
Therapy is the best way to treat anxiety, but sometimes, a short-term course of medication is required. Medications to treat anxiety include tranquilizers and antidepressants.
SSRI antidepressants such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro) and sertraline (Zoloft) enhance communication between nerve cells in the brain and can reduce anxiety. SNRIs, which are aimed at the chemicals serotonin and norepinephrine, can also be effective.
SSRIs
SSRIs are the first line of treatment doctors prescribe to treat anxiety disorders. They block nerve cell absorption of serotonin into the brain, a substance that is important for mood regulation. It takes time for the medications to begin working, but people usually begin to feel better after 4 to six weeks. SSRIs don't develop into a habit and aren't addicting, therefore they can continue to be taken for a long period of time.
Another type of antidepressant, SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), also treats depression and anxiety. SNRIs are citalopram, escitalopram and fluoxetine (Prozac) and paraxetine (Paxil) and sertraline. Tricyclic antidepressants such as imipramine (Tofranil) and doxepine (Anxiety Disorder Stimulant) also treat depression and anxiety. Mirtazapine is a new antidepressant is sometimes used to treat anxiety disorders.
Doctors aren't sure exactly how SSRIs and other SNRIs work however, they know that they increase the activity of certain chemical messengers in the brain, referred to as neurotransmitters. They prevent the brain from absorbing chemicals and permit these chemicals to bind to receptors.
SSRIs are used to treat generalized anxiety disorder, GAD; obsessive-compulsive disorder, OCD; panic disorder/agoraphobia; and posttraumatic stress disorder, PTSD. They can also help with bulimia, but it is less prevalent.
People with anxiety who are not responding to SSRIs might be prescribed an antipsychotic atypical drug. Examples include quetiapine (Abilify) and aripiprazole (Risperdal). These drugs decrease anxiety in people with obsessive compulsive disorder. They are typically prescribed in conjunction with an antidepressant. They are less likely to cause serious adverse effects than other kinds of antipsychotics.
Medications called beta-blockers can also be used to treat anxiety and are often prescribed for heart conditions. Examples are propranolol (Inderal) and atenolol (Tenormin). They can help reduce the physical symptoms of anxiety, especially for people with social anxiety disorder. They can also aid in reducing anxiety before or after surgery and for some chronic pain conditions. Benzodiazepines, such as lorazepam and Ativan (Ativan), can be used when other medications do not work. However, benzodiazepines create a habit and can lead to addiction.
SNRIs
SNRIs are another type of antidepressant medications often prescribed to treat anxiety. They work similarly as SSRIs but also increase the availability norepinephrine, and serotonin. They are therefore more effective in treating certain anxiety disorders such as anxiety and social anxiety disorders. panic disorder. Similar to other medications, they are most effective when used in conjunction with talk therapy and other treatment strategies.
Unlike benzodiazepines SNRIs don't cause dependence or addiction for the majority of people. However, some patients might experience withdrawal when discontinuing the medication after a long time of usage. Because of this, it is important to speak with your doctor before stopping any medication.
Neurotransmitters such as serotonin and norepinephrine control mood and stress. They play a key role in the fight-or-flight reaction that a large portion of people suffering from anxiety experiences. The SNRIs hinder nerve cells from rapidly mopping up these neurotransmitters, by preventing the process of reuptake. They hold these chemicals in the body for longer and can improve mood, reduce anxiety, and even ease panic attacks.
Norepinephrine is also crucial for anxiety as it stimulates the amygdala, a deep and primordial part of the brain that is linked with fear-related behaviour. SNRIs have been shown to reduce activity in this part of the brain, which may positively impact mood and anxiety as well as ease panic attacks.
These drugs are extremely beneficial however they can cause suicidal thoughts in some people. This is why they are typically prescribed in higher doses for a short time. In addition, these medicines are able to interact with other drugs and substances. If you are taking any other prescription or over-the counter medications, be sure to discuss this with your physician and keep them up-to-date on any medical conditions that you may have, especially heart problems and bleeding-related diseases. Also, be aware that some patients have reported adverse reactions to SNRIs like nausea and dry mouth.
Benzodiazepines
Benzos, also known as benzodiazepines commonly referred to as -- are medications that act quickly that reduce anxiety and anxiety-related symptoms such as muscle tension and insomnia. Some people with anxiety disorders such as panic disorder or social anxiety may find them useful particularly if they've not been able to respond to other treatments such as SSRIs and psychotherapy. They can also be utilized as a temporary solution until you can wait for your antidepressant medication begin to work. The medications diazepam (Valium) and lorazepam (Ativan) are the most commonly used benzos, however other benzos include clonazepam (Rivotril) and temazepam (Restoril) and flurazepam (Dalmane).
Because they're fast-acting drugs, they generally begin working within 30 minutes. They don't remain in the body for very long, which is why they must be regularly taken to reap the full benefits. Benzos shouldn't be used for prolonged periods of time as they can trigger physical dependence and addiction. Benzos should not be used by those suffering from anxiety or depression disorders since they can increase the risk.
People who use benzos for a long period of duration, often without medical supervision, may develop a condition known as sedative-use disorder. It can cause withdrawal symptoms and addiction. This is a rare issue for those who take benzos on prescription. Benzo abuse is usually the result of other causes such as alcohol dependence and depression.
The tolerance to benzodiazepines may develop if they are taken for a long period of time. Tolerance means that you need more medication to get the same results. This may cause respiratory depression, or even death. Even if you are taking benzodiazepines over a long duration, it is crucial to follow the prescription.
Other Medicines
SSRIs and SNRIs are among the first drugs doctors typically prescribe for anxiety. They alter serotonin which influences mood, sleep, appetite and appetite. They may take a long time to show results, up to 12 weeks, and may cause some side effects like insomnia or nausea. SSRIs are also used to treat mental disorders such as depression, panic disorder, and obsessive compulsive disorder. Antidepressants, unlike benzodiazepines, do not cause physical dependence. However, they may cause withdrawal symptoms if abruptly stopped.
Sertraline (Zoloft), Prozac (Prozac) Sertraline (Zoloft), Prozac (Prozac) and Celexa (Citalopram) are all drugs in this class. They can be taken on their own or in combination with therapy. Antidepressants are prescribed by a psychologist, psychiatrist or family physician with specialized training in the field of medication management.
natural anxiety treatments may prescribe a class called monoamine-oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) as an antidepressant. They block the actions of certain enzymes that break down chemicals, like serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. MAOIs can take up to three or four weeks to work but aren't as fast-acting as SSRIs.
Clonidine is another medication that can be used to manage anxiety. It is typically used to treat anxiety, but it is also utilized to control blood pressure. Its effectiveness is limited by adverse effects such as hypotension and sedation. Antihistamines such as hydroxyzine can be prescribed by doctors to reduce anxiety and panic attacks. Certain patients might also experience a decrease in the effectiveness of benzodiazepines.
Anxiety is usually treated by using medication, psychotherapy and exercise. The most effective approach is to consult a therapist who specializes in treating anxiety disorders. They can assist you in identifying the underlying causes for your anxiety, and suggest strategies to manage it, without medication, if needed. Other options for treating anxiety that are not medications include eye movement desensitization reprocessing, mindfulness meditation and yoga that is trauma-informed. Talk to your therapist about how to determine the best option for you. Psychiatrists have the training to assess your medical history, symptoms, and develop an anxiety treatment plan that is suitable for you. They will consider your individual diagnosis, lifestyle, medical history and preferences when preparing the plan and will make adjustments to it over time.