Treat Anxiety: Myths And Facts Behind Treat Anxiety

Meds That Treat Anxiety

Anxiety is among the most common mental health issues that affects 40 million adults in the United States. It's extremely treatable with numerous medications available.

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. They're not addictive, as are benzodiazepines.

SSRIs

The most popular anxiety medications are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) which include citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro) and fluoxetine (Prozac). These medications can also help with depression, and can ease symptoms associated with other anxiety disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It could take up to a month before they begin working.

These drugs increase the production of certain chemical messengers within the brain, such as serotonin and norepinephrine. These drugs are usually the first choice to treat anxiety, though doctors may also prescribe other kinds of antidepressants or benzodiazepines.

Antidepressants such as duloxetine, (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor) are also used to treat anxiety. They differ from SSRIs as they reduce norepinephrine, however at a lower level than SSRIs. They can take a while to begin taking effect, and they also tend to be more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) such as imipramine (Tofranil), can be effective in treating certain anxiety disorders, particularly GAD. However, their drowsiness and other side effects make them less popular. Monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs) are another kind of antidepressant used to treat anxiety. Their high toxicity risk and restrictions on diets 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 drugs can trigger tolerance addiction, sedation and withdrawal reactions that include rebound depression, anxiety, and even delirium. Benzodiazepines can be found in alprazolam as well as clonazepam and lorazepam.

Therapy is an essential component of the treatment for anxiety as it can help you understand your symptoms and the reasons. Many people discover that both therapy and medication aid to manage anxiety. Certain studies have proven that cognitive behavioral therapy is just as effective as anxiety medications. Talk to your doctor about your options and what could be the best choice for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines can have a calming effect that reduces anxiety and relaxes muscles that are tight. They also relieve symptoms of bodily stimulation related to fear (like heart rate, trembling or shaking), and promote sleep.

The way they work is by binding to inhibitory neurotransmitters, like gamma-aminobutryic acids or GABA and interacting with receptors in the central nervous system. They enhance the effects of GABA by facilitating its inhibitory effect on other neurotransmitters while reducing the number of messages that are transmitted to the amygdala, a region of the brain that assesses threats and produces the sensation of fear.

These medications are sometimes taken for short durations, such as during an attack of panic or a severe anxiety episodes. They may ease symptoms within 30 to 90 minutes after taking them. Benzodiazepines are different from SSRIs don't stay in the body long. They're fast-acting and usually take effect in just a couple of hours, making them ideal for situations in which quick relief is needed (like on a plane flight or before giving a public presentation).

As they can be addictive, people are usually only prescribed them for up to four weeks at a go. After that period they become less effective.

One of the reasons why the benzodiazepines became so well-known is that they worked and had few side effects when compared to their predecessors, such as meprobamate or barbiturates. They are fast in the start of action and are extremely effective as anxiolytics (anti-anxiety) as well as sedatives and anticonvulsants as well as as muscle relaxants.

Benzos were blamed for negative attitudes towards anxiety that emerged during the 1970s and 80s which included the reduction of the disorder, and the belief that benzodiazepine treatment lead to physical dependence. However, they continue to play an important role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, specifically in conjunction with psychosocial interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy.

Benzos can interact with other medications and trigger undesirable side effects, such as drowsiness and confusion. You should tell your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription, or herbal medications that you currently take or are planning to take. You can find out which medications are safe to use with benzodiazepines by checking the British National Formulary A-Z list of medication interactions.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants are effective in treating anxiety and other mental conditions. 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 for other health conditions, such as bipolar disorder, eating disorders and certain types of pain.

SSRIs are often prescribed as a first-line treatment of anxiety by doctors, however they may not work for everyone. If they fail doctors can try the older type of antidepressant, known as a tricyclic or tetracyclic antidepressant. These include amitriptyline, nortriptyline, clomipramine and trimipramine, dothiepin, doxepin or imipramine. These antidepressants are not as popular but are still readily available. Your doctor may prescribe the antidepressant that sedates, trazodone (Desyrel) in lower doses to treat anxiety or insomnia.

Other antidepressants that can help include the nefazodone (Ferdinand) and duloxetine (Cymbalta). These drugs are also available in generic forms. If they don't help, your doctor may try the antipsychotics quetiapine or olanzapine or the sedating antidepressant Mirtazapine.

Beta blockers are used to treat anxiety disorders. They reduce blood pressure and heart rate by blocking adrenaline. These drugs are not usually used to treat anxiety by themselves, but they can be effective when combined with psychotherapy.

Psychotherapy can help you alter negative thoughts and behaviors that contribute towards your anxiety. It can help you control your anxiety and learn how to cope. Depending on your condition, you might be treated with cognitive behavioural therapy or exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioural therapy teaches you to overcome negative and fearful thoughts and overcome your fear of situations which trigger anxiety. Exposure therapy involves gradually increasing the intensity of anxiety-inducing situations until you are able to manage the stressors.  social anxiety disorder treatment iampsychiatry.com  can be done in a single session or in a small group. In both instances, the results can take a while to show. Some people find that a combination of medication and psychotherapy is the best option. Some people find that taking medication alone is sufficient to treat symptoms. It's important to tell your doctor about the things you're doing to manage your symptoms.

Other Medications

Other medications can help alleviate your symptoms. Beta blockers, antihistamines and buspirone are all sometimes prescribed to alleviate anxiety.

These drugs can correct an imbalance in your brain chemicals and can help ease your symptoms by lowering or blocking signals that cause you anxiety and stress. They're not a panacea. You'll have to take steps to manage anxiety, like physical exercise as well as relaxation techniques, and psychological therapy.

The SSRIs or SNRIs are often the first choice of anxiety medications that your doctor can prescribe. According to research, these medications are the most effective for treating anxiety disorders. The most common SSRIs include sertraline (Zoloft), the fluoxetine (Prozac) and Citropram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro). These drugs may cause mild side effects, like 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, alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), and diazepoxide (Valium) offer immediate relief from panic attacks and anxiety However, they can cause side effects, including dizziness, drowsiness and coordination issues, as well as dependence. They're not as popular than the older barbiturates, but they're just as effective.

Antihistamines, like Vistaril (hydroxyzine) were created to treat allergies, but they're also sometimes used to ease anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine blocks the histamine receptors in the brain and may cause the body to relax. It is not a controlled drug, so it does not carry the same risk of addiction as benzodiazepines.

Another kind of medication that can help with anxiety is a class called anticonvulsants, which have been shown to ease anxiety by interfering with the release and production of serotonin and dopamine. These medications can be prescribed as part of a combination therapy or to treat anxiety in the short-term. Your doctor will evaluate your symptoms and health history to determine if these medications are right for you. They will discuss the length of time you should take these medications and any negative side effects that might occur. Anxiety medications can only be purchased on prescription, which means you'll have to see an astrologer to obtain them.