Medications to Treat Anxiety
Therapy is the best way to reduce anxiety, but sometimes a short-term course of medication is required. Antidepressants and tranquilizers are two of the medications that can be utilized to combat anxiety.
SSRI antidepressants, such as citalopram (Celexa), Escitalopram (Lexapro) and sertraline (Zoloft), improve communication between nerve cells in the brain, and may reduce anxiety. SNRIs that focus on the chemicals serotonin as well as norepinephrine could be effective.
SSRIs
SSRIs are often the first medication prescribed by doctors to treat anxiety disorders. They prevent nerve cell re-absorption of serotonin in the brain, a substance that is important for mood regulation. It takes time for the medications to take effect, but people usually start to feel better after about 4 to six weeks. SSRIs do not develop an addiction and are not addictive, which is why they can be used for a long duration.
Another type of antidepressant, SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), also treats depression and anxiety. The SNRIs include citalopram, escitalopram and fluoxetine (Prozac) and paraxetine (Paxil) and sertraline. Tricyclic antidepressants, such as imipramine (Tofranil) and Doxepine (Anxiety Disorder Stimulant) also treat anxiety and depression. Mirtazapine, a novel antidepressant is sometimes used to treat anxiety disorders.
Doctors don't know exactly how SSRIs and SNRIs work however, they do know that they boost activity of certain chemical messengers in the brain, referred to as neurotransmitters. They stop the brain from reabsorbing these chemicals, and permit 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 may also help with bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder, but this is less frequent.
Atypical antipsychotic drugs may be prescribed to patients with anxiety who do not respond to SSRIs. Examples include quetiapine (Abilify) and Aripiprazole (Risperdal). These medications ease anxiety in people with obsessive-compulsive disorders. They are typically prescribed together with an antidepressant and have a lower chance of serious side effects than other types of antipsychotics.
Beta-blockers are also used for anxiety, and heart problems. Propranolol and Atenolol are two examples. They can help reduce the physical symptoms of anxiety, especially for those suffering from social anxiety disorder. They can also be helpful in reducing anxiety prior to or after surgery and for certain chronic pain issues. Benzodiazepines like lorazepam (Ativan) can be used to control symptoms when other medicines aren't working. Benzodiazepines can be addictive and can be habit-forming.
SNRIs
SNRIs are a type of antidepressant medication that is often prescribed to combat anxiety. They work similarly to SSRIs but they also increase the availability of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. This means that they are often more effective in treating certain types of anxiety disorders. This includes social anxiety disorder and panic disorder. Like other medications, they work best when they are used in conjunction with talking therapy and other treatment strategies.
Contrary to benzodiazepines, SNRIs aren't a dependence or addiction for most people. Some sufferers may experience withdrawal symptoms when discontinuing a medication after an extended period of usage. Due to this, it is important to speak with your physician prior to stopping any medication.
Neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine control mood and stress. They play an important role in the fight or flight response that a lot of sufferers of anxiety feel. By preventing the reuptake process, SNRIs block nerve cells from quickly absorbing these neurotransmitters. They help keep these chemicals in the body for longer and can improve mood, reduce anxiety, and even ease panic attacks.
Norepinephrine also plays a role in anxiety as it triggers the Amygdala. It is a nebulous and primitive part of the brain that is linked to fearful behavior. SNRIs decrease the activity in this part of the brain. treatments for anxiety can improve mood, anxiety and help with panic attacks.
Although these drugs can be extremely beneficial however, it is important to remember that they do have the potential of causing increased suicidal thoughts in some individuals. This is why they are often only prescribed in higher doses for a brief time. These medications may also interact with other medications and substances. If you're taking any other prescription or non-prescription medication, make sure to discuss this with your physician and keep them up-to-date on any underlying medical conditions you suffer from particularly heart issues and bleeding-related diseases. Also, be aware that some patients have reported adverse reactions to SNRIs including dry mouth and nausea.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines, or benzos, as they're often called -- are medications that act quickly that can help ease anxiety and anxiety-related symptoms, like muscle tension and insomnia. Some people with anxiety disorders, such as social anxiety or panic disorder might find them beneficial, especially if they have not responded to other treatments like SSRIs and psychotherapy. They are also a good short-term solution, such as while you are waiting for an antidepressant to begin working. The medications diazepam (Valium) and lorazepam (Ativan) are the most commonly used benzos, although other options include Clonazepam (Rivotril) as well as temazepam (Restoril) and flurazepam (Dalmane).
They usually start working within 30 minutes since they're rapid-acting. These medications don't last long in the body, therefore you must take them regularly to get the benefits. Using benzos for long durations of time can cause physical dependence and addiction, so they should be used only for the shortest time possible. Benzos are not recommended for people with depression or other anxiety disorders, as they can increase the risk of those problems.
Benzo users who take them for long periods of time with no medical supervision and often without the guidance of a physician, may develop a condition known as sedative-use disorders, which includes withdrawal symptoms and addiction. It is rare for people who use benzos according to their prescription to develop this disorder, however. Rather, misuse of benzos is usually a result of other causes such as alcohol dependence and depression.
Taking benzodiazepines for the long-term can cause tolerance to their sedating effects. If you develop tolerance to the effects, you require more of the medication to produce the same effect. This could cause respiratory depression, or even death. It is essential to take benzodiazepines according to the prescription, even on a long-term basis.
Other Medical Treatments
SSRIs and SNRIs are the first medications doctors will typically prescribe to treat anxiety. They affect serotonin which is responsible for mood, sleep, appetite and appetite. It can take up to 12 weeks to start working and may cause side effects such as insomnia or nausea. SSRIs can also be used to treat mental disorders, such as panic disorder, depression, and obsessive compulsive disorder. Contrary to benzodiazepines, antidepressants do not cause physical dependence but they can trigger withdrawal symptoms when abruptly cut off.
The medicines in this class include sertraline (Zoloft), fluoxetine (Prozac) and citalopram (Celexa). They can be used alone or in conjunction with therapy. Antidepressants are prescribed by psychiatrists, psychologists or family doctors with specialized training in medication management.
Doctors can prescribe a particular class of antidepressants called monoamine oxidase inhibitors, or MAOIs. These medications block the action of certain enzymes which break down chemicals such as serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. MAOIs can take as long as four weeks before they begin to work, but they are not as quick-acting as SSRIs.
Clonidine is another medication that can be used to control anxiety. It is typically used to treat anxiety however, it can also be used to control blood pressure. Its effectiveness is limited due to negative side effects, such as hypotension and sedation. Antihistamines like hydroxyzine may be prescribed by doctors to reduce anxiety and panic attacks. Some patients might also notice a decrease in the effectiveness of benzodiazepines.
The treatment for anxiety is usually combining psychotherapy, medication and exercise. The most effective approach is working with a therapist who specializes in treating anxiety disorders. They can help you determine the underlying causes for your anxiety, and suggest strategies to manage it without medication if necessary. Other options for treating anxiety that don't require medication include eye movement desensitization mindfulness meditation and trauma-informed Yoga. Speak to your therapist to determine the best options for you. Psychiatrists are trained to evaluate your medical history and symptoms and formulate a treatment plan that is suited to you. When developing the plan, they take into consideration your diagnosis, lifestyle, medical background, and personal preferences. They can also make adjustments as time passes.