7 Tricks To Help Make The Greatest Use Of Your Treat Anxiety

Meds That Treat Anxiety

Anxiety is one of the most prevalent mental health problems, affecting 40 million adults in the United States. Many types of medications are available to treat it.

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're not addictive, as are benzodiazepines.

SSRIs

The most common anxiety medication is selective serotonin reuptake inhibits (SSRIs), including citalopram, escitalopram, and fluoxetine. These medications also help with depression, and can ease the symptoms of anxiety disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). They can take up to a month before they begin to work.

These medications help by increasing the levels of certain chemical transmitters that are present in the brain. This includes serotonin and norepinephrine as well as dopamine. These drugs are usually the first choice for treating anxiety, although doctors may also prescribe other types of antidepressants and benzodiazepines.

Antidepressants like duloxetine (Cymbalta), and venlafaxine (Effexor) are also used for anxiety. They are a bit different from SSRIs since they reduce norepinephrine, but at a lower level than SSRIs. These medications take a lengthy time to work and are more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants, like imipramine Tofranil, can be effective for treating anxiety disorders. Their drowsiness, and other side effects are what make them less well-liked. Another type of antidepressant, monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs), can also be used to combat anxiety. They are a high risk of toxicity and restrictions on diets restrict their use.

Benzodiazepines are commonly used to treat panic attacks and anxiety in the short term like when you wait for SSRIs or SNRIs to kick in. These medications can cause tolerance, sedation and addiction as well as withdrawal reactions that include rebound depression, anxiety, and even delusions. Benzodiazepines are typically found in alprazolam as well as clonazepam and lorazepam.

Therapy is an essential part of any treatment for anxiety. It helps you to better know your symptoms and their root causes. Many people find that therapy and medication both help them cope. Some studies have shown that cognitive behavioral therapy is just as effective as medication for anxiety. Talk with your doctor about your options and what could be the best choice for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines have a calming effect they reduce anxiety and relax muscles that are tight. They also reduce symptoms of bodily arousal related to fear (like heart rate and trembling) and promote sleep.

The way they work is through binding to inhibitory neurotransmitters such as gamma-aminobutryic acid or GABA and interacting with receptors in the central nervous system. They increase the effects of GABA by facilitating its inhibitory effect on other neurotransmitters and decreasing the number of messages that are transmitted to the amygdala, which is the brain's region which detects threats and gives the sensation of fear.

These medications are sometimes employed for short periods of time for instance, during an attack of panic or a severe anxiety episode. They may help relieve the symptoms within 30 to 90 minutes after taking them. Benzodiazepines are different from SSRIs do not stay in the body for long. They're quick-acting and typically work in a matter of hours, which makes them ideal for situations where you require quick relief (like on a plane flight or prior to giving an event in public).

They are addictive, which is why people are generally only prescribed them for up to four weeks at a time. After that period they lose their effectiveness.

One of the reasons benzodiazepines were so popular was that they were effective and had few side effects, when compared to their predecessors, such as meprobamate or barbiturates. They are efficient and have a rapid start, and can be employed as anxiolytics to decrease anxiety. They can also be used as sedatives, anticonvulsants and muscle relaxants.

Benzos were blamed for the negative attitudes towards anxiety that developed in the 1970s and 80s, including the minimization of the disorder, and the perception that benzodiazepine treatments can lead to physical dependence. Despite this the fact that benzodiazepines play a significant part in the treatment of anxiety disorders, especially when combined with psychosocial interventions like cognitive behavioral therapy and other interpersonal therapies.

Benzos can interact with other drugs and cause undesirable side-effects like drowsiness or confusion. It is important to inform your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription, or herbal medicines you currently take or plan to take. You can find out which medications are safe to use with benzodiazepines by checking the British National Formulary A-Z list of drug interactions.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants can reduce anxiety and other mental health issues. 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 many antidepressants to treat other conditions, too, such as eating disorders, some types of pain and bipolar disorder.

SSRIs are typically prescribed as a first-line treatment option for anxiety by doctors, however they might not work for everyone. If they fail, doctors may look at the more traditional antidepressant, known as tricyclic or tetracyclic an antidepressant. This includes amitriptyline, nortriptyline, clomipramine and trimipramine, doxepin and dothiepin or imipramine. They're less popular than the newer antidepressants, but still available. You can also ask your physician to prescribe the sedating antidepressant, trazodone(Desyrel), at lower doses in case you are having sleep problems or anxiety.

Other antidepressants that may help include the nefazodone (Ferdinand) and duloxetine (Cymbalta). These medications are also available in generic forms. If they aren't helping your doctor, he may suggest the antipsychotics quetiapine or olanzapine or the sedative antidepressant Mirtazapine.

Medications for other anxiety disorders include beta blockers, which decrease the heart rate and blood pressure by blocking the action of adrenaline. These medications aren't typically used to  treat anxiety  by themselves however they can be beneficial when paired with psychological therapy.

Psychotherapy can assist you to alter negative thoughts and behaviors that can cause anxiety. It can teach you to manage your anxiety and develop coping skills. Based on the severity of your situation exposure therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy may be recommended. Cognitive behavioural therapy teaches you to confront fears and thoughts that are harmful, and overcome your fear of situations which trigger anxiety. Exposure therapy is the process of increasing the intensity of anxiety provoking situations until they become manageable. It can be carried out in a group or on your own. In both cases, results will take time to manifest. Some people believe that a combination of psychotherapy and medication is the best choice. Some people discover that medications alone are enough to manage their symptoms. Tell your doctor how you manage your symptoms.

Other Medical Treatments

While antidepressants and benzodiazepines are the most commonly prescribed medications to treat anxiety, other medications can help alleviate your symptoms as well. Beta blockers and antihistamines are often prescribed to ease anxiety.

These drugs can correct an imbalance in your brain's chemical balance and can help alleviate symptoms by reducing or blocking signals that can cause stress and fear. They're not a cure-all. You'll still have to do other things to control anxiety, such as exercises, relaxation techniques, and psychological therapy.

SSRIs or SNRIs are the first choice of anxiety medication that your doctor can prescribe. According to research, these medications are the most effective for treating anxiety disorders. The most commonly used SSRIs include sertraline (Zoloft) and fluoxetine (Prozac) and Citropram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro). These medications may cause mild side effects like insomnia and nausea, but these usually subside in 4-8 weeks. Contrary to benzodiazepines they're not addictive and won't increase the risk of suicidal thoughts.

The benzodiazepines, alprazolam, clonazepam, and diazepoxide, (Valium) are a quick relief from panic and anxiety attacks. However, they may cause adverse effects, including dizziness and drowsiness. They can also trigger problems with coordination and memory and even dependence. These are less popular than older barbiturates but are equally effective.

Antihistamines, like Vistaril (hydroxyzine) were created to treat allergies however, they're also used to reduce anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine blocks histamine receptors in the brain and may cause an energizing effect. It's not a controlled substance and therefore doesn't carry the same risks of addiction like benzodiazepines.

Another kind of medication that can help with anxiety is a class called anticonvulsants. They have been shown to relieve anxiety by inhibiting the release and production of serotonin and dopamine. They can be prescribed in combination with other medicines or as a short-term treatment for anxiety. Your doctor will evaluate your symptoms and health history to determine if these drugs are suitable for you. They will also discuss the duration of time you should take these medicines and any potential side effects that may occur. Anxiety medications are only available on prescription, so you'll need to visit a psychiatrist before you can get these medications.