Medications to Treat Anxiety
While therapy is the best treatment for anxiety, occasionally taking a short course of medicine is necessary. Antidepressants and tranquilizers are two of the medications that can be utilized to treat anxiety.
SSRI antidepressants, such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro) and sertraline (Zoloft), improve the communication between nerve cells in the brain, and may reduce anxiety. SNRIs that target the chemicals serotonin as well as norepinephrine could be effective.
SSRIs
SSRIs are the first line of medication doctors prescribe to treat anxiety disorders. They stop nerve cells from serotonin re-absorption in the brain, a chemical that is essential for regulating mood. The medications take a while to take effect, but the majority of people feel better within four to six weeks. SSRIs do not develop an addiction and are not addicting, therefore they can continue to be used for a lengthy period of time.
Another type of antidepressant, SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), also treats depression and anxiety. Examples of SNRIs are citalopram (Celexa) as well as Escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac) and paroxetine (Paxil) and sertraline (Zoloft). Tricyclic antidepressants, such as imipramine (Tofranil) and doxepine (Anxiety Disorder Stimulant) also treat depression and anxiety. Novel antidepressants, such as mirtazapine (Remeron) are also sometimes used to treat anxiety disorders.
Doctors aren't sure how SSRIs or SNRIs function, but they are aware that they enhance the activity of certain chemical messengers called neurotransmitters within the brain. They prevent the brain from absorbing these chemicals and allow them to attach to their 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 aid in bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder, but it is less frequent.
Atypical antipsychotic drugs may be prescribed to people with anxiety who do not respond to SSRIs. Examples include quetiapine (Abilify) and aripiprazole (Risperdal). These drugs reduce anxiety in those suffering from obsessive compulsive disorder. They are usually given in conjunction with an antidepressant. They also have a lower chance of serious adverse reactions than other forms of antipsychotics.
Beta-blockers, also known as beta-blockers, can be used to combat anxiety and are frequently prescribed for heart conditions. Examples include propranolol (Inderal) and atenolol (Tenormin). They can reduce physical symptoms of anxiety in people with social anxiety disorder. They can be useful in reducing anxiety, especially prior to or following surgery. Benzodiazepines such as lorazepam (Ativan) can be used to treat symptoms when other medication aren't working. Benzodiazepines can be addictive and can be habit-forming.
SNRIs
SNRIs are another type of antidepressant medication that is often prescribed to treat anxiety. They work in a similar way to SSRIs, but they also increase the availability of norepinephrine and serotonin in the brain. They are therefore more effective in treating certain anxiety disorders like anxiety and social anxiety disorders. panic disorder. Like other medications, these work best when used in conjunction with therapy for talk and other treatment strategies.
In contrast to benzodiazepines, SNRIs do not cause dependence or addiction for the majority of people. However, some patients may feel withdrawal symptoms when stopping the medication after a long duration of use. Due to this, it is important to speak with your doctor prior to stopping any medication.
Neurotransmitters such serotonin as well as norepinephrine are responsible for regulating mood and stress. They play an important part in the fight or flight response that a large portion of people suffering from anxiety experiences. The SNRIs hinder nerve cells from rapidly soaking up these neurotransmitters by blocking the process of reuptake. They hold these chemicals in the body for longer periods of time and can boost mood, decrease anxiety, and even help with anxiety attacks.
Norepinephrine also plays a role in anxiety, as it stimulates the Amygdala. www.iampsychiatry.com is a deep and primitive part of the brain that is associated with anxiety-related behavior. SNRIs can reduce activity in this part of the brain. This can improve mood, anxiety, and even reduce panic attacks.
While these medications are extremely beneficial, it is important to note that they do carry a risk of increased suicidal thoughts in some individuals. Due to this, they are often only prescribed in higher doses for a brief period. In addition, these medications may interact with other medications and substances. You should inform your doctor if you are taking any other prescriptions, or over-the counter medication. Also, keep them informed of any medical conditions that may be underlying such as heart issues and bleeding disorders. Be aware that some patients have adverse reactions to SNRIs like dry mouth and nausea.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines, or benzos, as they're often called -- are quick-acting medications that reduce anxiety and anxiety-related symptoms such as muscle tension and insomnia. Some people with anxiety disorders like panic disorder or social anxiety may find them useful, especially if they have not responded to other treatments such as SSRIs and psychotherapy. They can also be employed as a temporary remedy while you wait for your antidepressant medication to kick in. The Benzos include diazepam and lorazepam, temazepam, and flurazepam.
They usually start working within 30 minutes because they're quick-acting. They don't last for very long in the body, which is why you should take them on a regular basis to get the benefits. Using benzos for long periods of time can result in addiction and physical dependence therefore they should be used only for the shortest time possible. Benzos are not recommended for those suffering from depression or other anxiety disorders as they could increase the risk of those issues.
People who take benzos for a long period of duration, often without medical supervision, could develop a condition known as sedative-use disorders, which can include addiction and withdrawal symptoms. This condition is uncommon in people who use benzos according to prescription. Rather, misuse of benzos is typically a result of other factors such as alcohol dependence and depression.
The long-term may also lead to tolerance to their sedating effects. As you get used to them, it takes more and more of the medication to have the same effect. In some instances this could lead to respiratory depression, coma and death. It is essential to take benzodiazepines in the prescribed dosage, even on a long-term basis.
Other Medications
SSRIs and SNRIs will be the primary medication prescribed by doctors to treat anxiety. They affect serotonin which is responsible for mood as well as appetite and sleep. They can take as long as 12 weeks to start working and can cause adverse effects, such as insomnia or nausea. SSRIs are also used to treat other mental health conditions like depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and panic disorder. In contrast to benzodiazepines they don't cause physical dependence but they can cause withdrawal symptoms if abruptly discontinued.
The medications in this class are sertraline (Zoloft), fluoroquinol (Prozac) and citalopram (Celexa). They can be taken on their own or in combination with therapy. Antidepressants are prescribed by psychiatrists, psychologists or family physicians with special training in the management of medications.
Doctors may prescribe a class called monoamine-oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) as an antidepressant. These medications block the action of specific enzymes that break down chemicals like serotonin and norepinephrine, and dopamine. MAOIs can take as long as four weeks to start working however they aren't as quick-acting as SSRIs.
Clonidine is another medication that can be used to manage anxiety. It is typically used to treat anxiety, but it is also used to control blood pressure. Its effectiveness is limited due to adverse effects like hypotension and sedation. Antihistamines such as hydroxyzine can be prescribed by medical professionals to help reduce anxiety and panic attacks. They can also reduce the effectiveness of benzodiazepines in certain patients.
Anxiety is usually treated using a combination of psychotherapy exercise and medication. The most effective method is to consult an expert therapist who is skilled in treating anxiety disorders. They can help you determine the root causes of anxiety and recommend strategies to manage it, without medication if necessary. Other treatment options for anxiety that do not require medication include eye movement desensitization mindfulness meditation, reprocessing, and yoga based on trauma. Talk with your therapist about which options are best for you. Psychiatrists are trained to analyze your symptoms, medical history, and develop an anxiety treatment plan that is appropriate for you. They will take into consideration your particular medical history and preferences when developing this plan and make adjustments to it over time.