Medications to Treat Anxiety

Although therapy is the best treatment for anxiety, sometimes a short course of medication is required. Medications to treat anxiety include tranquilizers and antidepressants.

SSRI antidepressants such as citalopram, sertraline, and escitalopram are able to reduce anxiety. SNRIs that target the chemicals serotonin and norepinephrine can also be effective.

SSRIs

SSRIs are typically the first medications prescribed by doctors to treat anxiety disorders. They stop neurons in the brain from absorbing serotonin, a chemical that plays a key function in the regulation of mood. The drugs take time to work, but most people are better after 4 to 6 weeks. SSRIs don't develop into an addiction and are not addictive, so they can be taken for a long duration.

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

Doctors do not know how SSRIs or SNRIs function however they do are aware that they enhance the activity of certain chemical messengers called neurotransmitters in the brain. They prevent 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, however this is less frequent.

People with anxiety who do not respond to SSRIs may be prescribed an atypical antipsychotic drug. Examples include quetiapine, (Abilify) and aripiprazole (Risperdal). These medications reduce anxiety in people who have obsessive compulsive disorder. They are usually prescribed together with an antidepressant, and they are less prone for serious side effects compared to other antipsychotics.

Beta-blockers are also used to treat anxiety and heart issues. Examples include propranolol (Inderal) and atenolol (Tenormin). They can aid in reducing the physical symptoms of anxiety, especially for those with social anxiety disorder. They can also be helpful in reducing anxiety before or following surgery and also for certain chronic pain issues. The benzodiazepines, including lorazepam or Ativan (Ativan) can be used in situations where other medications aren't working. They can be addictive and habit-forming.

SNRIs

SNRIs are a type of antidepressant medication that is typically prescribed to treat anxiety. They function similarly to SSRIs, but they also increase the availability of serotonin and norepinephrine within the brain. As a result, they are typically more effective in treating specific types of anxiety disorders, including social anxiety treatment anxiety disorder and panic disorder. These medications work best when combined with other treatment strategies and therapy.

In contrast to the benzodiazepines, SNRIs don't cause dependence or addiction for the majority of people. However, some patients may feel withdrawal symptoms when stopping the medication after a lengthy period of use. Due to this, it is essential to speak with your physician prior to stopping any medication.

Neurotransmitters such serotonin as well as norepinephrine regulate stress and mood. They play a significant role in the fight-or-flight response that a lot of people suffering from anxiety experience. By blocking the reuptake process, SNRIs prevent nerve cells from quickly absorbing these neurotransmitters. This way they help keep these chemicals in the brain for longer, and, as a result, they have the potential to boost mood and decrease feelings of anxiety or even assist in the relief of symptoms of panic attacks.

Norepinephrine is also involved in anxiety, as it stimulates the Amygdala. This is a deep and primitive brain region that is linked to anxiety-related behavior. It has been demonstrated that SNRIs reduce activity in this part of the brain, which could positively impact anxiety and mood and help to ease panic attacks.

Although these drugs can be extremely beneficial however, it is important to note that they can carry a risk of increased suicidal ideas in certain individuals. Due to this, they are typically prescribed at higher dosages and for a shorter period of time. They can also interact with other medications and substances. It is important to inform your doctor if are taking any other prescriptions or over the generic medications. Also keep them informed of any existing conditions such as heart issues and bleeding disorders. Be aware that certain patients have reported adverse reactions to SNRIs including dry mouth and nausea.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines, or benzos or benzos, as they're commonly referred to -- are quick-acting medications that can help ease weak legs anxiety treatment and anxiety-related symptoms, like insomnia and muscle tension. Some people with anxiety disorders such as social anxiety treatment leeds or panic disorder might find them beneficial, especially if they have not responded to other treatments such as SSRIs and psychotherapy. They're also helpful as a short-term solution, like while you wait for an antidepressant begin working. Benzos include diazepam, lorazepam, temazepam, and flurazepam.

They usually start working within 30 minutes since they're rapid-acting. The meds don't last in the body for long, therefore they should be taken on a regular basis to get the full benefits. Benzos taken for long periods of time could cause physical dependence and addiction therefore they should only be used for the most brief period of time. Benzos are not recommended for people with depression or other anxiety disorders, as they can increase the risk of these problems.

People who take benzos 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 can include withdrawal symptoms and addiction. It is rare for people who are prescribed benzos to develop this condition however. Misuse of benzos usually results from other factors, such as alcoholism and depression.

Tolerence to benzodiazepines could develop if they are taken for a long time. Tolerance means you require more medication to achieve the same results. This can sometimes result in respiratory depression or even death. Even if you're taking benzodiazepines over a long duration, it is crucial to adhere to the prescription.

Other Medical Treatments

SSRIs and SNRIs are the first drugs prescribed by doctors to treat anxiety. They alter serotonin which affects mood, appetite, and sleep. They can take up to 12 weeks to start working and can cause adverse effects, such as nausea or insomnia. SSRIs are also used to treat mental health disorders such as depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and panic disorder. In contrast to benzodiazepines they don't cause physical dependence but they can cause withdrawal symptoms if abruptly stopped.

Sertraline (Zoloft), Prozac (Prozac) Prozac (Zoloft), and Celexa (Citalopram) are all medications in this class. They can be used alone or in conjunction with therapy. Antidepressants are prescribed by a psychiatrist, psychologist or family physician who has specialized training in the field of medication management.

Doctors may prescribe a class called monoamine-oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) as an antidepressant. They block the actions of enzymes that break chemical into smaller pieces, such as serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. MAOIs can take up to four weeks to begin working, but they are not as fast-acting than SSRIs.

Another medication to manage anxiety is clonidine. This is used to lower high blood pressure but has limited use in treating anxiety. Its effectiveness is limited because of adverse effects such as hypotension and sedation. Doctors can also prescribe antihistamines, such as hydroxyzine to ease symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks. They can also reduce the effectiveness of benzodiazepines for some patients.

Anxiety is usually treated using a combination of psychotherapy exercise and medication. Engaging with a therapist who specializes in anxiety disorders is the most effective way to manage anxiety. They can help you work through the underlying causes of your anxiety and recommend natural ways to treat anxiety to manage it without medication, if necessary. Other treatment options for anxiety treatment plan that do not require medication include eye movement desensitization and mindfulness meditation, reprocessing and yoga that is trauma-informed. Talk to your therapist to determine the best medication to treat anxiety options for you. Psychiatrists are trained to analyze your medical history and symptoms and create a treatment plan that is suitable for you. When creating the plan, they take into consideration your lifestyle, diagnosis, medical background, and preferences. They may also make adjustments over time.