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3 Ways The Meds To Treat Anxiety Influences Your Life
Medications to Treat Anxiety

Therapy is the most effective treatment for anxiety, there are times when an infrequent course of medication is necessary. Medications to treat anxiety include antidepressants and tranquilizers.

SSRI antidepressants such as citalopram (Celexa), Escitalopram (Lexapro) and sertraline (Zoloft), improve communication between nerve cells in the brain and reduce anxiety. SNRIs that target the chemical serotonin and norepinephrine can also be effective.

SSRIs

SSRIs are often the first prescription medication recommended by doctors to treat anxiety disorders. They block nerve cell re-absorption of serotonin in the brain, a substance that is important for mood regulation. The drugs take a while to begin working, but most people experience improvement within about 4 to 6 weeks. SSRIs don't develop into an addiction and are not addictive, so they can continue to be used for a lengthy duration.

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

Doctors aren't sure how SNRIs or SSRIs work, but they know that they boost the activity of chemical messengers known as neurotransmitters in the brain. They stop the brain from absorbing these chemicals, and permit them to bind to their receptors.

SSRIs are used to treat generalized anxiety disorder, GAD; obsessive-compulsive disorder, OCD; panic disorder/agoraphobia; and posttraumatic stress disorder, PTSD. They can also help with Bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder, however this is less frequent.

People suffering from anxiety who do not respond to SSRIs might be prescribed an atypical antipsychotic drug. Examples include quetiapine, (Abilify) and aripiprazole, (Risperdal). These drugs reduce anxiety in people with obsessive compulsive disorder. They are typically prescribed together with an antidepressant. They have a lower chance of serious side effects than other types of antipsychotics.

Beta-blockers are also prescribed to treat anxiety and heart conditions. Propranolol and atenolol are two examples. They can help reduce the physical symptoms of anxiety, specifically for those suffering from social anxiety disorder. They can also assist in reducing anxiety before or after surgery, and for certain chronic pain issues. social anxiety treatment , such as lorazepam or Ativan (Ativan) are able to be used in situations where other medications don't work. However, benzodiazepines are habit-forming and can be addictive.

SNRIs

SNRIs are a kind of antidepressant medication that is typically prescribed to treat anxiety. They work in a similar way to SSRIs, but they also enhance the supply of serotonin and norepinephrine within the brain. This means that they are often more effective in treating specific types of anxiety disorders, including social anxiety disorder and panic disorder. Similar to other medications, they are most effective when they are combined with therapy for talk and other treatment strategies.


Contrary to benzodiazepines, SNRIs aren't a dependence or addiction for most people. However, some patients could be prone to withdrawal after stopping the medication after a long time of usage. Due to this, it is essential to speak with your physician prior to stopping any medication.

Neurotransmitters such as serotonin and norepinephrine are responsible for regulating mood and stress. They play an important role in the fight or flight response that many sufferers of anxiety feel. By blocking the reuptake process, SNRIs stop nerve cells from rapidly absorbing these neurotransmitters. They hold these chemicals in the body for longer and can boost mood, decrease anxiety, and even ease panic attacks.

Norepinephrine is also important for anxiety because it activates the amygdala, which is a deep and primal part of the brain that is associated with fear-related behaviors. It has been demonstrated that SNRIs reduce activity in this area of the brain, which could positively impact anxiety and mood as well as ease panic attacks.

Although these drugs can be very beneficial, it is important to keep in mind that they can come with a risk of increasing suicidal thoughts in some individuals. This is why they are usually prescribed in higher doses for a short-term time. These medications can also interact with other drugs and substances. If you are on any other prescription or over-the counter medications, be sure to discuss this with your physician and keep them informed of any underlying conditions you have particularly heart issues and bleeding-related diseases. Be aware that some patients have reported adverse reactions to SNRIs, such as dry mouth and nausea.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines, or benzos, as they're often called -- are quick-acting medications that can help ease anxiety and anxiety-related symptoms, like muscle tension and insomnia. They can be beneficial for people with anxiety disorders, such as panic disorder and social anxiety particularly when other treatments, such as SSRIs or psychotherapy (talk therapy), don't work. They can be utilized as a temporary solution while you wait for your antidepressant medication kick in. Drugs like diazepam (Valium) and lorazepam (Ativan) are the most commonly used benzos, although other options include clonazepam (Rivotril), temazepam (Restoril) and flurazepam (Dalmane).

Because they're fast-acting drugs, they generally begin working within 30 minutes. They don't last for very long in the body, therefore you should take them on a regular basis to get the benefits. Benzos should not be used for prolonged periods of time as they can trigger physical dependence and addiction. Benzos should not be used by people suffering from anxiety or depression disorders since they can increase the risk.

Benzo users who use them for an extended duration, often without medical supervision, can develop a condition called sedative-use disorders, which can include addiction and withdrawal symptoms. This condition is uncommon in those who take benzos as prescribed. Instead, the misuse of benzos is typically a result of other factors such as alcohol abuse and depression.

The tolerance to benzodiazepines may develop if they are taken for a long period of time. Tolerance means you require more medication to achieve the same effects. In some instances, this can lead to respiratory depression, coma and death. It is essential to take benzodiazepines in the prescribed dosage for long-term basis.

Other Medications

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

Sertraline (Zoloft), Prozac (Prozac) Sertraline (Zoloft), Prozac (Prozac) and Celexa (Citalopram) are all medications in this class. They can be used on their own or in conjunction with therapy. Antidepressants are prescribed by psychiatrists, psychologists or family physicians who have specialized training in the management of medications.

Doctors may prescribe a class called monoamine-oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) as an antidepressant. These medications block the action of enzymes that break chemicals down, including dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine. MAOIs may take three or four weeks to begin working but aren't as fast-acting as SSRIs.

Another medication to manage anxiety is clonidine. This is used to lower high blood pressure but has limited effectiveness in treating anxiety. Its effectiveness is limited because of side effects like hypotension and sedation. Antihistamines like hydroxyzine may be prescribed by medical professionals to help reduce anxiety and panic attacks. They also can reduce the effectiveness of benzodiazepines in certain patients.

Anxiety is typically treated with the combination of psychotherapy, exercise and medication. The most effective approach is to work with someone who is specialized in treating anxiety disorders. They can help you work through the underlying causes of your anxiety and suggest ways to manage it without medication, if needed. Other options for anxiety treatment that do not involve medication include eye movement desensitization mindfulness meditation and yoga that is trauma-informed. Talk to your therapist about what options are best for you. Psychiatrists are trained to evaluate your symptoms and medical history and develop an anxiety treatment plan that works for you. When developing the plan, they will take into consideration your lifestyle, diagnosis medical background, lifestyle, and preferences. They may also make adjustments over time.

Read More: https://www.iampsychiatry.com/anxiety-treatment