Here's A Few Facts Concerning Meds To Treat Anxiety

Medications to Treat Anxiety

Therapy is the most effective treatment for anxiety, occasionally an infrequent course of medication is required. Antidepressants and tranquilizers are two of the medications that can be utilized to treat anxiety.

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

SSRIs

SSRIs are the first line of treatment doctors prescribe to treat anxiety disorders. They stop neurons in the brain from absorbing serotonin, an ingredient that plays a crucial role in mood regulation. The drugs take a while to work, but most people experience improvement within 4 to 6 weeks. SSRIs don't develop into a habit and are not addicting, therefore they can continue to be used for a long period of time.

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

Doctors aren't sure exactly how do you treat anxiety without medication SSRIs and SNRIs function however, they do know that they enhance activity of certain chemical messengers in the brain, called neurotransmitters. They prevent the brain from absorbing chemicals and permit 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 can 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 might be prescribed an atypical antipsychotic drug. Examples include quetiapine (Abilify) and Aripiprazole (Risperdal). These drugs decrease anxiety in those suffering from obsessive compulsive disorder. They are usually prescribed together with an antidepressant. they have a lower risk for serious side effects when compared to other types of antipsychotics.

Beta-blockers are also a class of medication that can be used to treat anxiety and are often prescribed for heart problems. Propranolol and atenolol are two examples. They can reduce physical symptoms of anxiety in those with social anxiety disorder. They can be helpful in reducing anxiety, specifically prior to or following surgery. The benzodiazepines, such as lorazepam (Ativan) can be used to manage symptoms when other medicines aren't working. 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 function similarly to SSRIs, but they also increase the amount of serotonin and norepinephrine within the brain. In turn, they are usually more effective in treating specific types of anxiety disorders, including panic disorder and social anxiety disorder. Like other medications, they work best treatment for social anxiety disorder when used in conjunction with talking therapy and other treatment strategies.

In contrast to benzodiazepines, SNRIs do not cause addiction or dependence in the majority of people. However, some patients might feel withdrawal symptoms when stopping the medication after a long time of usage. It is essential to speak with your physician prior to discontinuing any medication.

Serotonin and norepinephrine are neurotransmitters responsible for stress and mood reactions. They play an important part in the fight or flight response that a lot of people suffering from anxiety experiences. By blocking the reuptake process, SNRIs prevent nerve cells from rapidly absorbing these neurotransmitters. This way they hold these chemicals in the brain for longer and as a result they are able to improve mood and reduce anxiety levels or help alleviate symptoms of panic attacks.

Norepinephrine is also important for anxiety as it stimulates the amygdala, which is a deep and primal part of the brain that is associated with fear-related behaviors. SNRIs reduce the activity in this part of the brain. This can boost mood, anxiety, and even alleviate panic attacks.

While these medications can be extremely beneficial but it is important to note that they can come with a risk of increasing suicidal thoughts in some individuals. Because of this, they are usually prescribed in higher doses for a short time. They can also interact with other drugs and substances. If you are taking any other prescription or non-prescription medication, make sure to discuss this with your physician and keep them updated on any medical conditions that you may have including heart problems and bleeding disorders. Also, be aware that certain patients have reported adverse reactions to SNRIs like dry mouth and nausea.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines, or benzos as they are often referred to are drugs that act quickly and reduce anxiety and other anxiety-related symptoms, including insomnia and muscle tension. They are useful in some people with anxiety disorders, including panic disorder and social anxiety, especially if other treatments, like SSRIs or psychotherapy (talk therapy), don't work. They can also be utilized as a temporary solution as you wait for your antidepressant medication take effect. The Benzos include diazepam and lorazepam as well as temazepam and flurazepam.

They usually begin to work within 30 minutes since they are quick-acting. These meds don't stay in the body very long, so they must be taken on a regular basis to get the full benefits. Benzos should not be used for long periods as they can cause physical dependence and addiction. Benzos are not recommended by those suffering from anxiety or depression as they could increase the risk.

Benzo users who take them for an extended period of time, without medical supervision and often without the advice of a doctor, can develop a condition known as sedative-use disorders, which include withdrawal symptoms and addiction. This is a rare issue for people who use benzos according to prescription. Rather, misuse of benzos is usually the result of other causes such as alcohol dependence and depression.

Utilizing benzodiazepines in the long-term may also lead to tolerance to their sedating effects. When you become tolerant, it takes more and more of the medication to have the same effect. In some cases it can result in respiratory depression, coma, and death. It is crucial to take benzodiazepines as prescribed, even on a long-term basis.

Other Medications

SSRIs and SNRIs are the first medication prescribed by doctors to treat anxiety. They alter serotonin which affects the mood, sleep, appetite and appetite. They may take a long time to begin effect, ranging from to 12 weeks, and can cause some side effects like insomnia or nausea. SSRIs are also used to treat other mental health disorders such as depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and panic disorder. Antidepressants, unlike benzodiazepines do not cause physical dependence. However, they may cause withdrawal symptoms if they are abruptly stopped.

The medicines in this class include sertraline (Zoloft) and fluoxetine (Prozac) and citalopram (Celexa). They can be taken on their own or in combination with therapy. Antidepressants may be prescribed by a psychiatrist, psychologist or family physician with specialized training in medication management.

Doctors can also prescribe a class of antidepressants referred to as monoamine oxidase inhibitors or MAOIs. These drugs block the action of enzymes that break chemical down, such as serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. MAOIs can take up to four weeks before they begin to work, but they are not as quick-acting as SSRIs.

Another medication used to treat anxiety is clonidine. It is used to lower high blood pressure but has limited use in treating anxiety. Its effectiveness is limited due to adverse effects such as hypotension and sedation. Antihistamines, such as hydroxyzine, can be prescribed by doctors to reduce anxiety symptoms and treatment and panic attacks. They may also decrease the effectiveness of benzodiazepines in some patients.

Anxiety is usually treated using a combination of psychotherapy exercise and medication. A therapist who has a specialization in anxiety disorders is the most effective method to treat postpartum anxiety treatment. They can help you work through the underlying causes of your anxiety and recommend ways to manage it without medication, if necessary. Other treatment options for separation anxiety treatment that aren't medications include eye movement desensitization, reprocessing, mindfulness meditation and yoga that is trauma-informed. Speak to your therapist to determine the best option for you. Psychiatrists are trained to evaluate your medical history and symptoms and formulate a treatment plan that is suited to you. They will consider your individual diagnosis, lifestyle, medical history and preferences when preparing this plan, and will make changes to it as they go along.