Anxiety Treatment Medications
Psychotherapy and medication can aid people suffering from anxiety disorders. Treatments for anxiety include benzodiazepines like Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Valium (diazepam).
Antidepressants are also used to alleviate anxiety. SSRIs like citalopram (Celexa) and fluoxetine (Prozac) are effective in preventing brain nerve cells from reabsorbing serotonin, which is a chemical that affects mood.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines (benzos) are powerful drugs that treat anxiety very well and work quickly. However, they also can be physically addictive and pose significant safety risks when used for long durations. This is why they should always be prescribed and administered under the guidance of a medical professional. They can be useful as an "as needed" treatment for panic attacks and other severe anxiety attacks. Benzos can be utilized in conjunction with antidepressants, psychotherapy and other medications to treat anxiety disorders.
Benzos can be very effective in treating anxiety for a short time, and they aid in sleeping well. They can be dangerous if abused and are not recommended for use alongside other drugs. When benzodiazepines are combined with sedatives, such as alcohol and opioid pain medication the risk of death or overdose increases. They can also interact with antidepressants, which can cause severe and life-threatening withdrawal symptoms.
When prescribed by your doctor, benzodiazepines can be effective and safe when treating anxiety disorders. Many doctors are cautious when prescribing them as they can lead to addiction and adverse side effects, like memory loss. Long-term use of these drugs can cause severe withdrawal symptoms and those who become dependent are often unable stop taking them without suffering severe side effects such as depression and seizures. The key to long-term benzo use is: prescribing them only to those who might benefit from them, using them in clinical settings that are likely to improve anxiety symptoms, and avoiding prolonged use or abrupt withdrawal and minimizing the chance of abuse, and combining them with effective psychological intervention.
Anxiety medications, including benzodiazepines can help ease anxiety by blocking certain nerve signals and preventing them from being activated in the brain. These drugs can make you sleepy and less anxious, but they do not solve the underlying issue that causes anxiety.
There are a variety of natural methods to reduce anxiety, such as meditation, exercise and yoga. Cognitive behavioral therapy is another treatment. You can learn to overcome anxiety and worries that are not rational.
Antidepressants
SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are a great option for people suffering from anxiety since they affect the brain to control mood. It can take up to four weeks before they begin working. If a person isn't feeling better after that time it is recommended to talk with their doctor about changing medications.
Antidepressants like mirtazapine or nefazodone are also effective in treating anxiety. They may be more effective when in comparison to older drugs like venlafaxine XR. However it's important to keep in mind that these medications can cause a severe reaction in some individuals. If you encounter this reaction, contact healthdirect at 1800 022222 and talk to a registered nurse.
MAOIs are a different kind of antidepressant which can be used to treat anxiety. They block the action of enzymes that degrade brain chemicals which include dopamine and noradrenaline. This allows levels of these chemicals, which have a an impact positive on mood, to increase. MAOIs are usually reserved for patients who do not respond to other antidepressants, however, they can be effective in treating anxiety.
The most effective antidepressants to treat anxiety are tricyclic antidepressants. These drugs are similar to SSRIs in the way they treat anxiety and other mental disorders, however they are less prone to negative side effects. These medicines start with a low dose and their effectiveness increases as dosage is increased. Tricyclics are effective in treating anxiety, panic disorders, and obsessive compulsive disorder. However, they may not be as effective when treating generalized anxiety disorder.
A newer antidepressant, buspirone, is also used to combat anxiety. It acts as an a mild tranquilizer, however it doesn't have the same side effects as benzodiazepines. It doesn't affect memory or coordination. It is a way of increasing serotonin levels in the brain and reducing dopamine. The drug can be effective for up to 70% of people who take it. The side effects tend to decrease as the medication is used for longer periods of time. Talk therapy, like exposure therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy, can be incorporated with these drugs to increase their effect.
Buspirone
Buspirone is used to treat anxiety disorders. It is taken orally, typically twice a day. It's not a controlled drug however, it has the potential to be abused.
Doctors don't know exactly how buspirone functions, but they do know that it reduces the amount of serotonin and its actions in specific areas of the brain. This makes the nervous system less prone to anxiety and stress.
In general, doctors consider buspirone a safe drug for most people. It's generally regarded as having a lower degree of toxicity and a smaller risk of addiction than benzodiazepines or barbiturates. However, as with other medications there are side effects. The most frequent ones are dizziness and nausea. It is important to inform your doctor about all the medicines, supplements and other ingredients you're taking prior to starting buspirone because it may interact with them.
Your doctor might prescribe the dose you need to take if are over 65. This is due to the fact that older people tend to react to drugs differently than younger people do. This is especially true for drugs that affect the nervous system.
Tell your doctor the doctor if any of these medicines are taken by you. This includes isocarboxazid selegiline, phenelzine and linezolid, Emsam, Zelapar, and tranylcypromine. Buspirone can cause serious side effects by increasing the dosage of these drugs.
It is also important to let your doctor know that you suffer from kidney problems or stomach disorders, or are breastfeeding or pregnant. In these situations, certain medications, such as SSRIs might not be suitable for you.
Your doctor might recommend a different treatment in the event that buspirone isn't working or when you are unable take it due to a medical issue, or because of an interaction with a different drug. It could be a new type of antidepressant, such as Lexapro, Prozac, a beta-blocker, such as propranolol or a benzodiazepine such as Xanax. The PIL will provide more information about how to use the drug and possible adverse effects.
Other Medical Treatments
There are other treatments available that can help reduce anxiety. Psychotherapy or talk therapy is a possible option. Psychotherapy can assist you in changing the way you think about your anxiety and teach you coping strategies to manage anxiety. Other options include learning relaxation techniques as well as maintaining a regular exercise routine, and staying away from alcohol and drugs. Herbal remedies can aid some people with anxiety symptoms. If you try these alternatives but they don't work, talk to your doctor.
The medications used for anxiety treatment generally fall into two broad categories: benzodiazepines and antidepressants. Benzodiazepines, such as Ativan, or lorazepam, increase the activity of GABA in your brain, which promotes peace. They provide rapid relief but they can also become addictive if taken for long periods of time. Antidepressants take longer to work but they help stabilize the levels in your brain of certain neurotransmitters, chemicals that affect your mood.
Iam Psychiatry (SSRIs), or SSRIs, are the most well-known type of antidepressant for anxiety. They increase the level of serotonin, the chemical messenger in your brain, which can improve your mood and make you feel less stressed. Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) are a different antidepressant that stops 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 energetic. Monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs) are another antidepressant class that is often prescribed by those who do not respond to SSRIs to treat anxiety.
There are a myriad of other medications often used to treat anxiety, including azapirones (such as buspirone) as well as beta- and alpha-blockers antihistamines (such as hydroxyzine) and clonidine. They have a lower success rate than SSRIs and benzodiazepines.
Although medication can be an effective treatment for anxiety, it shouldn't always be used. Non-pharmacological treatments can be more effective if you have an underlying cause of your anxiety, such as food insecurity, debt, or a bad relationship. Other options include cognitive behavior therapy, also known as biofeedback, which helps you to control your own brain waves by using a monitor device and mindfulness meditation, which is a form of meditation that focuses on the present moment.