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Your Family Will Thank You For Having This Treat Anxiety
Meds That Treat Anxiety

Anxiety affects more than 40 million adults in the United States. Many types of medications are available to treat anxiety.

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. Contrary to benzodiazepines they're not addictive.

SSRIs

The most common anxiety medication is selective serotonin inhibits (SSRIs), including citalopram, escitalopram, and fluoxetine. These medications also treat depression, and they can ease the symptoms of other anxiety disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It could take up to one month for them to start working.

These drugs are effective by increasing the quantity of certain chemical transmitters in the brain. This includes serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. These medications are typically the first choice for treating anxiety, although doctors may prescribe other forms of antidepressants and benzodiazepines.

Another class of antidepressants, known as serotonin and norepinephrine receptor inhibitors (SNRIs) like duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor) are used to treat anxiety. They operate a bit differently from SSRIs because they reduce the reabsorption of norepinephrine as well as serotonin, though at lower levels than SSRIs. These medications take a long time to work and are more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), such as imipramine (Tofranil), are effective in treating certain anxiety disorders, notably GAD. Their drowsiness, along with other side effects are what make them less well-liked. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are another kind of antidepressant used to combat anxiety. Their high risk of toxicity and dietary restrictions limit their use.

Benzodiazepines can be used treat panic attacks and anxiety in the short-term in the meantime, while waiting for SSRIs and SNRIs. These medications can cause tolerance addiction, sedation and withdrawal reactions that can cause rebound depression, anxiety, and even delusions. Benzodiazepines can be found in alprazolam as well as clonazepam and lorazepam.

Therapy is an important part of the treatment for anxiety because it allows you to discover more about the symptoms and their causes. Many people find that therapy and medication help them to cope. Some studies suggest that cognitive behavior therapy is as effective as medications for anxiety. Talk with your physician about your options and determine what could be the best choice for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines have a calming affect that reduces anxiety and relaxes tense muscle. They also ease symptoms of bodily stress related to fear (like heart rate or trembling) and help promote sleep.

The way they function is through binding to inhibitory neurotransmitters, like gamma-aminobutryic acids or GABA, at receptors in the central nervous system. They boost the effects of GABA by facilitating the inhibitory effects of GABA on other neurotransmitters and reducing the number of messages that are sent to the amygdala. This is a part of the brain that is able to detect threats and produces a feeling of anxiety.

These drugs can be used for short durations for instance, when a panic attack occurs or if you are experiencing severe anxiety. They may help relieve the symptoms within 30 to 90 minutes of taking them. Unlike SSRIs, benzodiazepines don't remain in the body for a long time. They're quick-acting and typically take effect in just a couple of hours, making them suitable for situations where quick relief is needed (like on a plane flight or before an event in public).

They are addictive, and it is recommended to only prescribe them for up to four weeks at one time. They also lose their effectiveness after that time.

One of the reasons why benzodiazepines were so popular was they were efficient and had few side effects, when compared to their predecessors like meprobamate and barbiturates. They have a quick time to begin their action and are extremely effective as anxiolytics (anti-anxiety), sedatives and anticonvulsants as well as as muscle relaxants.

Benzos were blamed for the negative attitudes towards anxiety that developed in the 1970s and 80s and included the denial of the disorder, as well as the perception that benzodiazepine treatments lead to physical dependence. However they play an important role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, specifically in combination with psychosocial interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy.

Benzos can interact with other medications and cause undesirable side effects, such as drowsiness and disorientation. It is recommended to inform your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription, or herbal medication you currently take or are planning to take. Check the British National Formulary A to Z list of medication interactions to find out which medications are safe with benzodiazepines.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants can help ease anxiety and other mental health problems. 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 conditions, including eating disorders, bipolar disorder and certain types of pain.

Iam Psychiatry prescribe SSRIs as the first line treatment for anxiety, but these drugs may not be effective for everyone. If they don't work, doctors may try the older type of antidepressant, known as tricyclic or tetracyclic an antidepressant. They include amitriptyline, nortriptyline as well as clomipramine. They're less popular than the newer antidepressants but are still available. You may ask your doctor to prescribe the sedating antidepressant trazodone(Desyrel) at lower doses if you are experiencing sleep issues or anxiety.

Nefazodone, also known as Ferdinand (Cymbalta) and duloxetine may also be useful. They're also available in generic form. If they don't help, your doctor may try the antipsychotics quetiapine and olanzapine or the sedating antidepressant Mirtazapine.

Beta blockers are used to treat anxiety disorders. They reduce heart rate and blood pressure by blocking adrenaline. These medications aren't typically used to treat anxiety alone, but they can be effective when coupled with psychotherapy.

Psychotherapy can help you alter negative thoughts and behaviors that can cause anxiety. It can help you learn to control your anxiety, and develop coping strategies. Depending on your situation, you may be treated with cognitive behavioural therapy or exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy teaches you to overcome unhelpful and fearful thoughts, and overcome your fear of situations that trigger anxiety. Exposure therapy involves gradually increasing the level of anxiety-provoking situations until you are able to manage the stressors. This can be done in a single session or in small groups. In both instances, the results take time to appear. Some people find that the combination of medication and psychotherapy is the best option. Others discover that medications alone are enough to manage their symptoms. It's crucial to tell your doctor what you're doing to control your symptoms.

Other Medical Treatments

Other drugs can also aid in relieving your symptoms. Beta blockers, antihistamines and buspirone are all sometimes prescribed to alleviate anxiety.

These drugs can correct an imbalance in the brain's chemicals and can help alleviate your symptoms by reducing or blocking the signals that cause you stress and fear. They are not a panacea. You'll need to do things to manage anxiety, such as exercises, relaxation techniques and psychological therapy.

Your doctor might first prescribe one of the "first choice" anxiety medications, which are SSRIs and SNRIs. According to research, these medications are the most effective for treating anxiety disorders. SSRIs are typically found in sertraline (Zoloft), the fluoxetine, citalopram and escitalopram. These medications may have minor side effects, such as nausea or insomnia, but they usually subside within 4-8 weeks. They aren't addictive and they do not increase the likelihood of suicidal thoughts.


The benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam, clonazepam, and diazepoxide, (Valium) offer immediate relief from panic and anxiety attacks. However, they can cause side effects such as drowsiness and dizziness. They may also cause memory and coordination issues, and may even cause dependence. These medications are less well-known than older barbiturates, however they are equally effective.

Antihistamines such as Vistaril (hydroxyzine) were originally created to treat allergies. However they also serve to reduce anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine blocks histamine receptors in the brain and may cause a calming effect. It's not a controlled drug which means it doesn't carry the same risks of addiction like benzodiazepines.

Anticonvulsants are a different kind of medication that can aid in reducing anxiety. They have been found to reduce anxiety by blocking the production and release dopamine and sérotonin. These medications may be used as part of an integrated therapy or to treat anxiety in the short term. Your doctor will examine your health history and symptoms to determine if these medications are suitable for you. They will also discuss the duration of time you'll need these medicines and any potential side effects that may occur. Anxiety medication is only available through prescription, so it is necessary to see a psychiatrist to prescribe it.

Website: https://www.iampsychiatry.com/anxiety-treatment