Meds That Treat severe anxiety treatment

Anxiety is one of the most common mental health issues which affects more than 40 million people in the United States. It is extremely treatable, and there are many types of 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 commonly used anxiety medication is selective serotonin reuptake inhibits (SSRIs) which include citalopram, escitalopram, and fluoxetine. These medications can also help with depression, and can ease symptoms associated with other anxiety disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It could take up to one month before they begin working.

These drugs increase the amount of certain chemical messengers in the brain, including serotonin and norepinephrine. These are typically the first choice for treating 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 also used to treat anxiety. They work a little differently from SSRIs in that they reduce the reabsorption of norepinephrine as well as serotonin, though at lower levels than SSRIs. These medications take a lengthy time to work and are more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) such as imipramine (Tofranil) can be effective in treating some anxiety treatment without drugs disorders, notably GAD. However, their drowsiness and other adverse reactions make them less well-known. Another type of antidepressant, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are also able to be used to treat anxiety. However, their strict dietary restrictions and high risk of toxicity limit their use.

Benzodiazepines are commonly used to combat anxiety and panic attacks in the short term, such as when waiting for SSRIs or SNRIs to begin working. These medications can trigger dependence tolerance, sedation, and tolerance and withdrawal symptoms such as a rebound anxiety, depression and delirium. The most common benzodiazepines are alprazolam (Xanax) and clonazepam (Klonopin) and lorazepam (Ativan).

Therapy is an important part of the treatment for anxiety as it can help you discover more about the symptoms and their causes. Many people discover that medication and therapy both help them cope. In fact, some studies suggest that cognitive therapy works just as well as anxiety medications. Talk with your physician about your options and which might be best treatment for generalized anxiety disorder for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines produce an calming effect, which can reduce anxiety and relax muscles that are tense. They also alleviate symptoms of fear-related bodily arousal (like heart rate and trembling) and promote sleep.

The way they work is through binding to inhibitory neurotransmitters, like gamma-aminobutryic acid, or GABA which is a receptor in the central nervous system. They enhance the effects of GABA by increasing its inhibitory effects on other neurotransmitters, and reducing the amount of messages that are that are transmitted to the amygdala, an area of the brain that detects threats and creates the feeling of fear.

These medications are typically employed for short periods of time for instance, during panic attacks or an anxiety episode. They can help relieve symptoms in 30 to 60 minutes. Unlike SSRIs, benzodiazepines don't remain in the body for a long time. They are fast acting and can be used in a matter of hours. This makes them perfect for situations where immediate relief is needed (such for instance, during an airplane ride or prior to presenting in public).

They can be addictive, so it is recommended to only prescribe them for up to four weeks at one time. They also lose effectiveness after a certain period of time.

One of the main reasons benzodiazepines are so well-known is that they are efficient and have few side effects compared to their predecessors such as barbiturates and meprobamate. They have a rapid start of action and are very effective as anxiolytics (anti-anxiety), sedatives, anticonvulsants, as well as for muscle relaxants.

Benzos have been blamed for the negative perceptions of anxiety that emerged in the 1970s and 1980s, including the trivialization of the disorder and the perception that benzodiazepine treatment causes physical dependence. Despite this however, benzodiazepines still play a significant role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, particularly when they are combined with psychosocial interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapies.

Benzos can interact with other medications and cause unwanted side effects, such as drowsiness and disorientation. You should tell your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription or herbal medications that you currently use or plan to take. Check the British National Formulary A to Z list of medication interactions to find out which medications are safe when taken with benzodiazepines.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants can reduce 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 antidepressants to treat other health conditions, such as eating disorders, bipolar disorder and certain kinds of pain.

Most doctors prescribe SSRIs as a first-line treatment for anxiety, but these drugs may not be effective for everyone. If they fail doctors can look at the more traditional antidepressant known as tricyclic or tetracyclic an antidepressant. This includes amitriptyline, nortriptyline, clomipramine, trimipramine, doxepin and dothiepin or imipramine. They're not as popular as the latest antidepressants, yet they're still available. You can also ask your physician to prescribe the sedating antidepressant, trazodone(Desyrel), at lower doses if you're experiencing sleep issues or anxiety.

Nefazodone, also known as Ferdinand (Cymbalta), and duloxetine can also be useful. They are also available in generic form. If they don't help your doctor, he may suggest the antipsychotics quetiapine or olanzapine or the tranquilizing antidepressant Mirtazapine.

Beta blockers are used to treat anxiety disorders. They reduce heart rate and blood pressure by blocking adrenaline. These drugs aren't commonly used to treat anxiety by themselves however they can be beneficial when paired with psychotherapy.

Psychotherapy can help you to change negative thoughts and behavior that cause anxiety. It can help you control your anxiety and learn coping skills. Based on the severity of your health condition, you could be treated with exposure or cognitive behavioural therapy. Cognitive behavioural therapy teaches you to overcome unhelpful and fearful thoughts, and overcome your avoidance of situations that trigger anxiety. Exposure therapy involves increasing the level of anxiety provoking situations until they can be managed. This can be done individually or in smaller groups. In both cases it takes time to show results. A combination of medications and psychological therapy is the best treatment for social anxiety disorder choice for some individuals. Some people discover that medications alone are sufficient to control their symptoms. It's crucial to tell your doctor what Is best treatment for anxiety you're doing to control your symptoms.

Other Medications

While benzodiazepines and antidepressants are the most frequently prescribed treatment for anxiety, other medications can help ease your symptoms as well. Beta blockers, antihistamines and buspirone are often prescribed to ease anxiety.

These drugs correct an imbalance in the brain's chemicals and can alleviate symptoms by reducing or blocking the signals that can cause anxiety and stress. They are not a panacea. You'll require a variety of methods to manage anxiety, like physical exercise relaxation techniques, relaxation techniques and psychotherapy.

Your doctor may first prescribe one of the "first choices" anxiety medication, which includes SSRIs and SNRIs. They are the most effective drugs for treating anxiety disorders according to research studies. SSRIs are commonly found in sertraline (Zoloft) as well as the fluoxetine, citalopram and escitalopram. These medications might have minor side effects, such as insomnia or nausea, but they typically subside within 4-8 weeks. They aren't addictive and they do not increase the risk of suicidal ideas.

The benzodiazepines alprazolam (Xanax), Clonazepam (Klonopin) and diazepoxide (Valium) offer immediate relief from anxiety and panic attacks However, they can cause side effects, including drowsiness, dizziness, memory and coordination problems, and dependence. These drugs are less popular than older barbiturates but are equally effective.

Antihistamines, such as Vistaril (hydroxyzine) were initially created to treat allergies. However they can also be used to ease anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine blocks the histamine receptors in the brain and can cause a calming effect. It is not a controlled substance and does not have the same risk of addiction as benzodiazepines.

Anticonvulsants are a different type of medication which can be used to treat anxiety. They have been proven to decrease anxiety by interfering in the production and release dopamine and sérotonin. These medications can be prescribed as a part of an integrated therapy or to treat anxiety in the short term. Your doctor will evaluate your health history and symptoms to determine whether these medications are appropriate for you. They will also discuss the length of time you'll need to take these medicines and any potential negative side effects that might occur. Anxiety medications can only be purchased on prescription, which means you'll have to see a psychiatrist before you can get them.