(Image: https://www.iampsychiatry.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/top-doctors-logo.png)Meds That Treat Anxiety
Anxiety affects 40 million adults in the United States. There are a variety of medications available to treat it.
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. In contrast to benzodiazepines, they're addictive.
SSRIs
The most commonly used anxiety medication is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro) and fluoxetine (Prozac). These medications can also treat depression, and they can help relieve symptoms associated with other anxiety disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It could take up to one month for them to start working.
These medications work by increasing the amount of certain chemical transmitters in the brain. This includes serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. They're usually the first treatment option for anxiety, though doctors also use other types of antidepressants and benzodiazepines.
Antidepressants, such as duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor) are also used for anxiety. They differ from SSRIs since they reduce norepinephrine, however at a lower level than SSRIs. They can take a while to take effects, and they tend to be more expensive than SSRIs.
Tricyclic antidepressants, like imipramine Tofranil are effective in treating anxiety disorders. Their drowsiness, and other adverse effects, make them less popular. Another kind of antidepressant, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are also able to be used to combat anxiety. However, their restrictions on diet and the high risk of toxicity limit their usage.
Benzodiazepines are often used to treat panic attacks and anxiety in the short term, such as when waiting for SSRIs or SNRIs to take effect. These medications can trigger dependence tolerance, sedation, and tolerance as well as withdrawal symptoms like a depression, anxiety, and delirium. Benzodiazepines can be found in alprazolam, clonazepam, and lorazepam.
Therapy is a crucial component of any treatment for anxiety. It aids you in better know your symptoms and their root causes. Many people discover that medication and therapy both aid in coping. Certain studies have demonstrated that cognitive behavioral therapy can be just as effective as anxiety medications. Talk to your doctor about your options and what might be best for you.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines have an calming effect, reduce anxiety and relax muscles. They also reduce symptoms of bodily arousal due to fear (like heart racing and trembling) and promote sleep.
The way they function is by binding to inhibitory neurotransmitters, like gamma-aminobutryic acids or GABA which is a receptor in the central nervous system. They enhance the effects of GABA by activating its inhibitory effect on other neurotransmitters, and reducing the number of messages sent to the amygdala, which is the brain's region that detects threats and creates the sensation of fear.
These medications can be used for short durations of time like when a panic attack occurs or if you are experiencing extreme anxiety. They may relieve symptoms within 30 to 60 minutes. Contrary to SSRIs, benzodiazepines don't remain in the body for long. They're quick-acting and typically perform in just a few hours, making them ideal for situations where quick relief is needed (like during a flight or before a public presentation).
As they are addictive, patients are usually prescribed for a period of up to four weeks at a time. They also lose effectiveness after a period of time.
One of the main reasons benzodiazepines became so popular is they were efficient and had a few adverse effects when compared to their predecessors like meprobamate or barbiturates. They have a rapid start of action and are very useful as anxiolytics (anti-anxiety), sedatives, anticonvulsants as well as as muscle relaxants.
Benzos have been blamed for the negative perceptions of anxiety that emerged in the 1970s and 1980s. This included the denial of the disorder and the perception that benzodiazepine treatment causes physical dependence. Despite this they play an important role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, especially when used in conjunction 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 confusion. It is essential to inform your doctor know about any other prescription, non-prescription or herbal medicines you are contemplating or are taking. You can determine which medications are safe to take with benzodiazepines by checking the British National Formulary A-Z list for medication interactions.
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 several antidepressants to treat other conditions as well, including eating disorders, certain types of pain, and bipolar disorder.
Most doctors prescribe SSRIs as the first line treatment for anxiety, but these medications might not be suitable for all people. If they don't work doctors can look at the more traditional antidepressant known as a tricyclic or tetracyclic antidepressant. These include amitriptyline and nortriptyline and Clomipramine. They're not as popular as the latest antidepressants but are still readily available. You can also ask your doctor to prescribe the sedating antidepressant trazodone(Desyrel) in lower doses if how do you treat anxiety without medication're experiencing sleep issues or anxiety.
Other antidepressants that can help include Nefazodone (Ferdinand) and duloxetine (Cymbalta). They are also available in generic forms. If they don't work your doctor, you can try the antipsychotics quetiapine and olanzapine or the sedating antidepressant Mirtazapine.
Treatments for other anxiety disorders include beta blockers, which reduce the blood pressure and heart rate by blocking the actions of adrenaline. These drugs aren't commonly used to treat anxiety by themselves however they can be beneficial when paired with psychological therapy.
Psychotherapy can help you change negative thoughts and behaviors that cause anxiety. It can help you control your anxiety and learn coping skills. Based on your specific condition, you might receive exposure or cognitive behavioural therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy teaches you to challenge unhelpful and fearful thoughts, and overcome your fear of situations that trigger anxiety. The process involves increasing the anxiety provoking situations until they can be managed. It can be carried out in a group or individually. In both instances, it takes time to show results. Some people believe that the combination of psychotherapy and medication is the best option. However, others find that meds alone are sufficient to treat their symptoms. Inform your doctor about how to treat anxiety naturally you manage your symptoms.
Other Medical Treatments
While benzodiazepines and antidepressants are the most commonly prescribed medications to treat anxiety, other drugs can help ease your symptoms as well. Beta blockers, antihistamines and buspirone are all prescribed to ease anxiety.
These medications can help ease your symptoms, by reducing or blocking the signals that trigger anxiety and stress. They're not a cure-all. You'll still require a variety of methods to manage anxiety, such as exercises as well as relaxation techniques, and psychotherapy.
SSRIs or SNRIs are your first choice of anxiety medications that your doctor might prescribe. They are the most effective medications for treating anxiety treatment online disorders, according to research studies. The most commonly used SSRIs include sertraline (Zoloft), the fluoxetine (Prozac), Citropram (Celexa), and escitalopram (Lexapro). These medications may have mild side effects, like nausea or insomnia, but they typically disappear within 4-8 weeks. In contrast to benzodiazepines, these are not addictive and don't increase the risk of suicidal thoughts.
The benzodiazepines, alprazolam, diazepoxide, and clonazepam (Valium), provide immediate relief from anxiety and panic attacks. However, they can cause side effects, such as dizziness and drowsiness. They may also cause problems with coordination and memory and may even cause dependence. They're less well-known than the older barbiturates, however, they're equally effective.
Antihistamines such as Vistaril (hydroxyzine) were initially developed to relieve allergies. However, they are also used to alleviate anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine may have a relaxing affect by blocking histamine receptors. It's not a controlled drug which means it doesn't carry the same dangers of addiction like benzodiazepines.
Another kind of medication that may help with anxiety is a class called anticonvulsants, which have been shown to relieve anxiety by interfering with the production and release of serotonin and dopamine. They may be prescribed in combination with other medicines or as a short-term homeopathic treatment for anxiety for anxiety. Your doctor will examine your medical history and symptoms to determine if these drugs are suitable for you. They will also discuss the length of time you should take these medicines and any potential negative side effects that might occur. Anxiety medication is only available through prescription, which means that it is necessary to see a psychiatrist to prescribe it.