Anxiety Treatment Medications
Psychotherapy and medication can help people with anxiety disorders. Benzodiazepines, such as Xanax, Klonopin, and Valium are used to help with anxiety.
Antidepressants are also used to treat anxiety. SSRIs like citalopram (Celexa) and fluoxetine (Prozac) are effective in preventing brain nerve cells from absorbing serotonin, which is a chemical that affects mood.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines are powerful drugs to treat anxiety. They work quickly. However, they also are physically addictive and they have serious risks to safety when used for long periods of time. For this reason, they should be prescribed and administered under the guidance of a medical professional. They are useful as an "as needed" treatment for panic attacks and other severe anxiety attacks. Benzos can be used in conjunction with antidepressants, psychotherapy and other medicines to treat anxiety disorders.
Benzos are very effective at short-term anxiety treatment and can assist you in getting a good night's sleep. However they are also dangerous when misused, and they are not recommended to be used in conjunction with other medications. When benzodiazepines are combined with sedatives such as opioid pain medication and alcohol the risk of death or overdose is increased. They also interact with some antidepressants, causing serious and life-threatening withdrawal symptoms.
When prescribed by your doctor, benzodiazepines can be effective and safe in treating anxiety disorders. However, a lot of doctors are cautious about using them, because they are addictive and can cause adverse side effects such as memory loss. In the long run, they can trigger severe withdrawal reactions and those who become dependent are typically not able to stop taking them without experiencing severe side effects such as seizures and depression. The most important aspect to long-term benzo usage is prescribing them only to patients who could benefit from their use, making use of them in settings that will likely help improve anxiety symptoms, avoiding long-term use or abrupt withdrawal, minimizing the risk of abuse and using them in conjunction with effective psychological treatment.
Anxiety medications, including benzodiazepines can help reduce anxiety by blocking certain nerve signals and stopping them from being activated in the brain. These medications can help you sleep more comfortably and feel less stressed but they can't fix the underlying problem that's making you worry (like increasing bills or an unhealthy relationship).
Meditation, exercise, and yoga are all natural methods to lessen anxiety. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a different treatment. You learn to conquer irrational worries and fears.
Antidepressants
SSRIs which are also known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are a great choice for those suffering from anxiety because they assist the brain to control mood. However, they could take four to six weeks or longer to get started. If the person does not feel better after this period, they should speak to the doctor about changing their medication.
Newer antidepressants like mirtazapine and nefazodone, are also helpful for treating anxiety. They may work faster than older medications like venlafaxine and XR. It is important to be aware that these medications can trigger severe reactions in some people. If they experience this reaction it is recommended that they seek urgent medical attention or call healthdirect at 1800 022 222 to speak to a registered nurse (known as NURSE-ON CALL in Victoria).
MAOIs are a different kind of antidepressant which can be used to treat anxiety. They block enzymes that break down chemicals in the brain down to noradrenaline, among others. This allows levels of these chemicals, which can have a a positive impact on mood, to rise. MAOIs are typically reserved for patients who do not respond to other kinds of antidepressants, however, they can be effective in treating anxiety.
The most effective antidepressants to treat anxiety are tricyclic antidepressants. These drugs treat mental and anxiety disorders in a similar way as SSRIs but with less negative side effects. These medicines are effective at small doses, but their effectiveness increases with the increase in dosage. Tricyclics can be effective in treating panic disorder, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder, however, they are not likely to treat generalized anxiety disorder.
Buspirone, a more recent antidepressant is also used to treat anxiety. It is a mild tranquilizer but does not cause the same adverse effects as benzodiazepines. It doesn't affect memory and coordination. It increases serotonin in the brain, and reducing dopamine. The drug is effective for up to 70% of those who test it. The side effects tend to decrease when the medication is taken for longer durations. Talk therapy, such as exposure therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy, can be incorporated with these medications to enhance their effectiveness.
Buspirone
Buspirone is used to treat anxiety disorders. It is taken orally, usually every day, twice. It's not a controlled drug however, it has potential for abuse.
Doctors aren't certain of the exact way it works, but they think that buspirone decreases the quantity and activities of a chemical known as serotonin in specific parts of the brain. This makes the nervous systems less sensitive to anxiety and stress.
Buspirone is generally considered safe by doctors for the majority of people. It is generally thought to be less toxic and have a lower risk of addiction than benzodiazepines as well as barbiturates. Like other medications they can cause adverse reactions. The most common side effects are dizziness and nausea. It's important to tell your doctor about all the medicines, supplements and other ingredients you're taking before starting buspirone, since it can interact with them.
If you are over 65, your doctor could prescribe buspirone in a lower dosage. This is due to the fact that older people tend to respond to drugs differently than younger people do. This is especially true for drugs that affect your nervous system.
Tell your doctor if any of these drugs are taking by you. These include isocarboxazid linezolid, phenelzine, selegiline, Emsam, Zelapar, and tranylcypromine. Buspirone can increase levels of these drugs in your body, leading to serious adverse side negative effects.
You should also let your doctor know that you suffer from kidney illness, stomach issues or are breastfeeding or pregnant. In these circumstances, some medicines, like SSRIs may not be appropriate for you.
If buspirone isn't effective, or you can't use it due to an illness or interaction with other medications Your doctor may prescribe an alternative method of treatment for your anxiety. Iampsychiatry could be a new kind of antidepressant, such as Lexapro or Prozac; beta blockers, such as propranolol; or a benzodiazepine, like Xanax. The PIL will give more details on how to take the drug and any possible side effects.
Other Medical Treatments
In addition to medication, there are other options to help ease anxiety. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is one of the options. Psychotherapy can help you learn how to cope with anxiety and change your ways of thinking. Other options include learning relaxation techniques, a regular exercise routine, and abstaining from drinking and using drugs. Some people get relief from anxiety symptoms by taking herbal medication. If you try these alternatives and they don't help, talk to your doctor.
Antidepressants andbenzodiazepines are the two main categories of medications used to combat anxiety. Benzodiazepines, such as Ativan (lorazepam), enhance the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid or GABA in your brain to promote peace. They can provide relief quickly but they also become addictive if used for a long time. Antidepressants take longer to kick in but balance the levels of certain chemicals in your brain, known as neurotransmitters, that influence your mood.
SSRIs are the most commonly used antidepressants used to treat anxiety. They boost the amount of serotonin, a chemical messenger in your brain, which may improve your mood and help you feel less anxious. Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) are a different antidepressant that blocks the reabsorption both of serotonin and norepinephrine out of your brain. This raises levels of these chemicals in your body and makes you feel more energized. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are another antidepressant class that is often used by those who do not respond to SSRIs to combat anxiety.
There are also a number of other medications frequently used to treat anxiety, such as azapirones (such as buspirone) as well as alpha- and beta-blockers, antihistamines (such as hydroxyzine), and clonidine. Most of these have a lower success rate than SSRIs and benzodiazepines.
Although medication is an effective anxiety treatment but it shouldn't be the only option you choose to use. Non-drug treatments can be more effective if there is an underlying reason for your anxiety like food insecurity, debt, or an unhealthy relationship. Other options include cognitive behavioral therapy, also known as CBT; biofeedback, which helps you to manage your own brain waves using a monitoring device; and mindfulness meditation, a form of meditation that focuses on the present moment.