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Why Treat Anxiety Is Harder Than You Imagine
Meds That Treat Anxiety

Anxiety affects 40 million people in the United States. It's highly treatable, with various types of medication 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. They're not addictive, unlike benzodiazepines.

SSRIs

The most popular anxiety medications are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro) and fluoxetine (Prozac). These medications are also used to treat depression and alleviate symptoms of other anxiety disorders like obsessive compulsive disorder. It could take up to a month for them to begin to work.

These drugs work by boosting the production of certain chemical messengers in the brain, including serotonin and norepinephrine. They're usually the first treatment option for anxiety, however doctors also employ other kinds of antidepressants and benzodiazepines.

Another class of antidepressants, known as serotonin and norepinephrine receptor inhibitors (SNRIs) such as duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor) are used to treat anxiety. They differ from SSRIs because they decrease norepinephrine, however at a lower level than SSRIs. These medications can take a while to start taking effects, and they are more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), such as imipramine (Tofranil) are effective in treating some anxiety disorders, including GAD. Their drowsiness, and other adverse effects are what make them less well-liked. Another form of antidepressant is monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs), can also be used to combat anxiety. However, their strict dietary restrictions and high risk of toxicity limit their usage.

Benzodiazepines are often used to treat panic attacks and anxiety in the short-term like when you wait for SSRIs or SNRIs to take effect. These medications can trigger dependence, tolerance, and sedation, as well as withdrawal symptoms like a rebound anxiety, depression and delirium. Common benzodiazepines include alprazolam (Xanax) as well as Clonazepam (Klonopin) and lorazepam (Ativan).

Therapy is a crucial component of an anxiety treatment plan because it allows you to discover more about the symptoms and their reasons. Many people find that therapy and medication both help them cope. In fact, some studies suggest that cognitive behavioral therapy works just as well as medications for anxiety. Talk to your doctor about your options and which could be the best choice for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines produce an calming effect, which can reduce anxiety and relax tense muscles. They also alleviate symptoms of bodily arousal due to fear (like heart rate, trembling and trembling) and promote sleep.

The way they function is by binding to inhibitory neurotransmitters like gamma-aminobutryic acids or GABA and interacting with receptors in the central nervous system. They enhance the effects of GABA by increasing its inhibitory effects on other neurotransmitters while reducing the amount of messages that are that are sent to the amygdala. a region of the brain which detects threats and gives the feeling of fear.

These medications can be utilized for short durations, such as when you experience a panic attack or if you are experiencing severe anxiety. They may ease symptoms within 30 to 90 minutes after taking them. Benzodiazepines, unlike SSRIs aren't able to remain in the body for long. They are fast acting and can be used within a couple of hours. This makes them suitable for situations where immediate relief is needed (such as during a flight or before giving a presentation in public).

They can be addictive, so people are generally only prescribed them for a maximum of 4 weeks at a time. After that, they also become less effective.

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


Benzos are often blamed for the negative perceptions of anxiety that developed in the 1970s and 1980s, including the stigmatization of anxiety and the perception that benzodiazepine treatment leads to physical dependence. However they still play an important role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, especially when used in combination with psychosocial interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy.

Benzos can interact with other medications and cause unwanted side-effects, such as drowsiness, confusion or drowsiness. It's important to let your doctor know about any other prescription, non-prescription or herbal medications you're taking or thinking about taking. You can determine which medications are safe to use with benzodiazepines through the British National Formulary A-Z list for medication interactions.

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 types of pain.

SSRIs are typically prescribed as a first-line treatment of anxiety by doctors, but they might not work for all people. If they fail, doctors may look at the more traditional antidepressant, known as tricyclic or tetracyclic antidepressants. These include amitriptyline and nortriptyline, clomipramine, dothiepin, doxepin, trimipramine or imipramine. They're not as popular as the latest antidepressants, but still available. Your doctor can also prescribe the sedating antidepressant trazodone (Desyrel) in lower doses for anxiety or sleep.

Nefazodone, also referred to as Ferdinand (Cymbalta), and duloxetine may also be helpful. These medications are also available in generic forms. If they do not work, your doctor can try the tranquilizing antidepressant mirtazapine (Remeron) or the antipsychotics quetiapine or olanzapine.

Beta blockers are used to treat other anxiety disorders. They lower blood pressure and heart rate by blocking adrenaline. These drugs aren't usually used for anxiety alone however they can be beneficial when combined with psychotherapy.

Psychological therapy can help you overcome negative thoughts and behaviors that can cause anxiety. It can help you learn to manage your anxiety and develop coping strategies. Based on IamPsychiatry , you could receive cognitive behavioural therapy or exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioural therapy teaches you to challenge fears and thoughts that are harmful, and overcome your fear of situations that cause anxiety. The process involves increasing the anxiety provoking situations until they are manageable. It can be performed in a group or on your own. In both cases it takes time to show results. A combination of medications and psychological therapy is the best choice for some people. Some people find that taking medication alone is enough to manage symptoms. Tell your doctor how you manage your symptoms.

Other Medical Treatments

Other drugs can also aid in relieving your symptoms. Beta blockers and antihistamines are often prescribed to ease anxiety.

These medications can help ease your symptoms, by reducing or blocking the signals that cause stress and fear. However, they're not the only solution. You'll still have to do other things to manage anxiety, such as physical exercise as well as relaxation techniques and psychotherapy.

The SSRIs or SNRIs are often the first choice of anxiety medication that your doctor may prescribe. These are the most effective drugs for treating anxiety disorders according to research studies. The most commonly used SSRIs include sertraline (Zoloft) as well as fluoxetine (Prozac), citalopram (Celexa), and escitalopram (Lexapro). These drugs may cause mild side effects, like insomnia or nausea, but they usually subside within 4-8 weeks. They aren't addictive, and they don't increase the risk of suicidal thoughts.

The benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam, diazepoxide and clonazepam (Valium), provide immediate relief from anxiety and panic attacks. However, they may cause adverse effects, including dizziness and drowsiness. They can also cause memory and coordination issues, and even dependence. They're less well-known than the older barbiturates, however, they're equally efficient.

Antihistamines such as Vistaril (hydroxyzine) were initially created to treat allergies. However, they are also used to reduce anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine has a calming effect because it blocks histamine receptors. It's not a controlled substance and therefore doesn't carry the same dangers of addiction as benzodiazepines.

Another kind of medication that can aid with anxiety is a class of medications known as anticonvulsants. They have been shown to relieve anxiety by inhibiting the production and release of serotonin and dopamine. These medications may be used as part of a combination therapy or used to treat anxiety in the short-term. Your doctor will examine your health history and symptoms to determine whether these medications are right for you. They will discuss the length of time you should take these medicines and any potential adverse effects that could occur. Anxiety medications are only available on prescription, which means that it is necessary to see a psychiatrist to prescribe it.

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