What Are The Myths And Facts Behind Treat Anxiety

Meds That Treat Anxiety

Anxiety affects more than 40 million adults in the United States. It is extremely treatable, and there are 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. Unlike benzodiazepines, they're not addictive.

SSRIs

The most commonly used anxiety medications are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro) and fluoxetine (Prozac). These drugs also treat depression, and they can help relieve symptoms associated with other anxiety disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). They can take up to a month before they begin to work.

These drugs are effective by increasing the quantity of certain chemical transmitters that are present in the brain. This includes serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. These medications are typically the first option to treat anxiety, although doctors may also prescribe other types of antidepressants and benzodiazepines.

Another class of antidepressants known as serotonin and norepinephrine-reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) such as duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor) are used to treat anxiety. They function a bit differently than SSRIs because they reduce the reabsorption of norepinephrine and serotonin, though at lower levels than SSRIs. These medications may take some time to take effects, and also are more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants like imipramine Tofranil, can be effective for treating anxiety disorders. However, their drowsiness and other side effects make them less popular. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are a different kind of antidepressant that can be used to combat anxiety. However, their dietary restrictions and the high risk of toxicity limit their use.

Benzodiazepines are often used to combat anxiety and panic attacks in the short term like when you wait for SSRIs or SNRIs to begin working. These medications can trigger dependence to tolerance, sedation, and dependence as well as withdrawal symptoms such a rebound anxiety, depression and delirium. Benzodiazepines can be found in alprazolam as well as clonazepam and lorazepam.

Therapy is an important part of the treatment for anxiety, as it helps you learn more about your symptoms and the causes. Many people find that both therapy and medication aid them manage their anxiety. In fact, some studies suggest that cognitive behavioral therapy is as effective as medications for anxiety. Talk with your physician about your options and what could be the best choice for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines have an calming effect, reduce anxiety and relax muscles that are tense. They also alleviate symptoms of bodily arousal due to fear (like heart rate, trembling and shaking) and encourage sleep.

They function by binding to inhibitory neurons, such as GABA or gamma aminobutryic acid and bind to receptors in the central nervous system. They enhance the effects of GABA by activating its inhibitory effect on other neurotransmitters and decreasing the amount of messages that are that are transmitted to the amygdala, a region of the brain which detects threats and gives the sensation of fear.

These drugs can be used for short durations like when a panic attack occurs or if you are experiencing extreme anxiety. They can help relieve symptoms in 30 to 60 minutes. In contrast to SSRIs, benzodiazepines don't remain in the body for long. They are fast acting and can be used within a few hours. This makes them suitable for situations when rapid relief is required (such for instance, during an airplane ride or before giving a presentation in public).

They are addictive, and people are generally only prescribed them for up to 4 weeks at each time. After that time they become less effective.

One of the reasons why benzodiazepines are so popular is that they are safe and have minimal adverse effects when compared to their predecessors like barbiturates and meprobamate. They have a quick onset of action and are very useful as anxiolytics (anti-anxiety) as well as sedatives and anticonvulsants and as muscle relaxants.

Benzos have been blamed for the negative perceptions of anxiety that developed in the 1970s and 1980s, including the stigmatization of anxiety and the perception that benzodiazepine treatment leads to physical dependence. However, they continue to play a significant role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, especially in conjunction with psychosocial interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy.

Benzos can interact with other medications and cause unwanted side-effects, like drowsiness or confusion. It is important to inform your doctor know about any other prescription, non-prescription, or herbal medicines you are considering or taking. Go through the British National Formulary A to Z list of medication interactions to find out what medications are safe when taken with benzodiazepines.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants can ease anxiety and other mental health 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 several antidepressants for other health conditions, too, such as eating disorders, certain kinds of pain, and bipolar disorder.

SSRIs are usually prescribed as a first-line treatment of anxiety by doctors, however they might not work for everyone. If  I Am Psychiatry  working, doctors may consider a different type of antidepressant known as a tricyclic or tetracyclic antidepressant. These include amitriptyline and nortriptyline as well as clomipramine. They're less common than newer antidepressants, yet they're still readily available. Your doctor may prescribe the antidepressant with a sedating effect, Trazodone (Desyrel) in lower doses to treat anxiety or insomnia.

Other antidepressants that may aid are nefazodone (Ferdinand) and duloxetine (Cymbalta). They are also available in generic forms. If they don't work, your doctor might suggest a antidepressant that is sedating, mirtazapine (Remeron) or the antipsychotics quetiapine or olanzapine.

Medications for other anxiety disorders include beta blockers, which decrease the blood pressure and heart rate by blocking the actions of adrenaline. These drugs are not usually used to treat anxiety alone however they can be effective if coupled with psychotherapy.

Psychological therapy can help you change negative thoughts and behaviours that cause anxiety. It can help you control your anxiety and learn how to cope. Depending on the severity of your problem exposure therapy or cognitive behavior therapy might be recommended. Cognitive behavioural therapy assists you to learn to challenge unhelpful, fearful thoughts and overcome the fear of situations that trigger anxiety. Exposure therapy involves gradually increasing the level of anxiety-provoking situations until you are able to handle the stressors. It can be done either individually or in small groups. In both cases it takes time to demonstrate results. Some people find that the combination of psychotherapy and medication is the best option. Others find that medication alone is enough to manage their symptoms. Discuss with your doctor how you manage your symptoms.

Other Medications

Other medications can also help relieve your symptoms. Antihistamines and beta blockers are sometimes prescribed to relieve anxiety.

These drugs can help you ease your symptoms, by reducing or blocking the signals that cause anxiety and stress. But, they're not an all-in-one solution. You'll still have to do other things to control anxiety, such as physical exercise, relaxation techniques, and psychotherapy.

SSRIs or SNRIs are the first choice of anxiety medications that your doctor may prescribe. These are the most effective medicines for treating anxiety disorders, according to research studies. SSRIs are commonly found in sertraline (Zoloft) as well as Citropram, fluoxetine, and escitalopram. These medications may have mild side effects, like insomnia or nausea, but they usually subside within 4-8 weeks. Contrary to benzodiazepines they're not addictive and won't increase the risk of suicidal ideas.

The benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam, diazepoxide, and clonazepam (Valium) are a quick relief from anxiety and panic attacks. However, they can cause side effects such as drowsiness and dizziness. They can also trigger problems with coordination and memory, and may even cause dependence. They're less well-known than the older barbiturates, but they're just as efficient.

Antihistamines like Vistaril (hydroxyzine) were originally developed to relieve allergies. However they also serve to alleviate anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine blocks histamine receptors in the brain, and can trigger the body to relax. It's not a controlled drug which means it doesn't carry the same dangers of addiction as benzodiazepines.

Another type of medication that may help with anxiety is a class of medications known as anticonvulsants. They've been shown to ease anxiety by inhibiting the production and release of serotonin and dopamine. These medications can be used as part of a combination therapy or to treat anxiety in the short term. Your doctor will review your medical history and symptoms to determine if these medicines are appropriate for you. They will discuss the length of time you'll need to take these medications as well as any possible adverse effects that could occur. Anxiety medications can only be purchased with a prescription, so you'll need to see an astrologer to obtain these medications.