Medications to Treat Anxiety

While therapy is the best natural treatment for anxiety and depression for anxiety, sometimes a short course of medication is required. Antidepressants and tranquilizers are among the medications that can be used to treat anxiety.

SSRI antidepressants, such as citalopram (Celexa), Escitalopram (Lexapro) and sertraline (Zoloft), improve communication between nerve cells within the brain, and may reduce anxiety. SNRIs that focus on the chemicals serotonin and norepinephrine may also be effective.

SSRIs

SSRIs are typically the first medication prescribed by doctors to treat anxiety disorders. They block nerve cell serotonin re-absorption in the brain, a chemical which is essential for regulating mood. The medications take a while to work, but most people feel better within four to six weeks. SSRIs aren't habit-forming and will not cause addiction, so they are safe to use for longer durations of time.

Another type of antidepressant, SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), also treats depression and anxiety. These SNRIs include citalopram and the escitalopram and fluoxetine (Prozac), paraxetine (Paxil), and sertraline. Tricyclic antidepressants such as imipramine (Tofranil) and doxepine (Anxiety Disorder Stimulant) also treat anxiety and depression. New antidepressants like mirtazapine (Remeron) are also used to treat anxiety disorders.

Doctors don't know exactly how SSRIs and SNRIs function however, they do know that they enhance activity of certain chemical messengers within the brain, known as neurotransmitters. They stop the brain from absorbing chemicals and allow 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 may also help with the bulimia nervosa disorder and binge eating disorder, but this is less common.

Atypical antipsychotic medications can be prescribed to patients with anxiety who do not respond to SSRIs. Examples include quetiapine (Abilify) and Aripiprazole (Risperdal). These drugs decrease anxiety in people with obsessive compulsive disorder. They are usually prescribed in conjunction with an antidepressant. They are less likely to cause serious side effects than other types of antipsychotics.

Beta-blockers are also prescribed to treat anxiety, and heart problems. Propranolol and atenolol are two examples. They can aid in reducing the physical symptoms of anxiety treatment meds, specifically for those suffering from social anxiety disorder. They can also assist in reducing anxiety prior to or after surgery and for certain chronic pain conditions. Benzodiazepines, like lorazepam or Ativan (Ativan) are able to be used in situations where other medications do not work. However, benzodiazepines are habit-forming and can lead to addiction.

SNRIs

SNRIs are a kind of antidepressant medication that is often prescribed to combat anxiety. They work similarly to SSRIs however, they enhance the supply of norepinephrine and serotonin in the brain. This means that they are usually more effective at treating certain types of anxiety disorders. This includes social anxiety disorder and panic disorder. These medications work best in conjunction with other treatments and therapy.

In contrast to benzodiazepines, SNRIs do not cause dependence or addiction for the majority of people. Some patients may experience withdrawal symptoms when discontinuing a medication after long-term use. Due to this, it is essential to speak with your physician prior to stopping any medication.

Serotonin and norepinephrine are neurotransmitters responsible for stress and mood reactions. They play a key role in the fight-or-flight response that a lot of people suffering from anxiety experience. SNRIs stop nerve cells from quickly mopping up these neurotransmitters by blocking the process of reuptake. This way they hold these chemicals in the brain for longer, and as a consequence they have the potential to boost mood and decrease anxiety levels or help alleviate symptoms of panic attacks.

Norepinephrine is also essential for anxiety as it stimulates the amygdala, which is a deep and primordial part of the brain that is linked with fear-related behaviour. SNRIs decrease the activity in this part of the brain. This can boost mood, anxiety and help with panic attacks.

Although these drugs are extremely beneficial however, it is important to keep in mind that they come with a risk of increasing suicidal thoughts for some people. Because of this, they are typically prescribed at higher doses and for a shorter period of time. These medications can also interact with other medications and substances. It is important to inform your doctor if you are taking any other prescriptions, or over-the prescription medication. Also keep them informed of any medical conditions that may be underlying, such as heart problems and bleeding issues. Be aware that some patients have reported adverse reactions to SNRIs like nausea and dry mouth.

Benzodiazepines

Benzos, or benzodiazepines as they are commonly called are drugs that act quickly and reduce anxiety and other anxiety-related symptoms, including insomnia and muscle tension. They can be beneficial for people with anxiety disorders, including panic disorder and social anxiety, especially if other treatments, such as SSRIs or psychotherapy (talk therapy), don't work. They are also a good short-term solution, like while you wait for an antidepressant to begin working. Drugs like diazepam (Valium) and lorazepam (Ativan) are the most common benzos, however other benzos include Clonazepam (Rivotril) and temazepam (Restoril) and flurazepam (Dalmane).

Because they're fast-acting, they usually begin to work within 30 minutes. These drugs don't last long in the body, which is why it is essential to take them regularly to benefit from their effects. Benzos should not be used for prolonged periods of time as they can trigger physical dependence and addiction. Benzos are not recommended for those suffering from anxiety disorders or depression because they may increase the risk of developing those issues.

Benzo users who take them for long periods of time without medical supervision, and often without the direction of a physician, may develop a condition known as sedative use disorders, which includes withdrawal symptoms and addiction. It is rare for people who take benzos as prescribed to develop this disorder however. Instead, the misuse of benzos is typically a result of other factors like alcohol abuse or depression.

Tolerence to benzodiazepines could develop when they are used for a long period of time. Tolerance means you require more medication in order to achieve the same results. This may result in respiratory depression or even death. It is essential to take benzodiazepines in the prescribed dosage for long-term basis.

Other Medicines

SSRIs and SNRIs are the primary medications doctors will usually prescribe to treat anxiety. They alter serotonin which is responsible for mood sleep, appetite, and appetite. It can take up to 12 weeks before they begin to work and may cause side effects such as insomnia or nausea. SSRIs are also used to treat mental health disorders like depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, and panic disorder. Contrary to benzodiazepines, antidepressants do not cause physical dependence, but they can cause withdrawal symptoms if abruptly stopped.

Sertraline (Zoloft), Prozac (Prozac), and Celexa (Citalopram) are all medications in this class. They can be taken on their own or in conjunction with therapy. Antidepressants are prescribed by a psychiatrist, psychologist or family physician with specialized training in medication management.

Doctors can prescribe a specific class of antidepressants referred to as monoamine oxidase inhibitors, or MAOIs. They block the actions of enzymes that break chemicals into smaller pieces, such as serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. MAOIs can take three or four weeks to take effect but they're not as fast-acting as SSRIs.

Clonidine is a different medication that can be used to treat anxiety. It is commonly used meds to treat anxiety (head to the Technetbloggers site) treat anxiety however, it can also be utilized to control blood pressure. Its effectiveness is limited due to negative side effects, such as hypotension and sedation. Antihistamines, such as hydroxyzine, can be prescribed by doctors to decrease anxiety and panic attacks. They can also reduce the effectiveness of benzodiazepines for certain patients.

Anxiety is often treated with a combination of psychotherapy, exercise and medication. A therapist who is specialized in treating anxiety disorders is the most effective method to manage anxiety. They can assist you in identifying the root causes of your anxiety, and suggest ways to manage it without medication, if needed. Other treatment options for anxiety that are not medications include eye movement desensitization, mindfulness meditation, reprocessing, and trauma-informed yoga. Talk to your therapist about what options are the best for you. Psychiatrists are trained to evaluate your medical history and symptoms and formulate a treatment plan that is suitable for you. When creating the plan, they take into consideration your lifestyle, diagnosis, medical background, and preferences. They can anxiety go away without treatment also make adjustments as time passes.