The Most Popular Treat Anxiety It's What Gurus Do 3 Things

Meds That Treat Anxiety

Anxiety affects 40 million people in the United States. It's highly treatable, with 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. Unlike benzodiazepines, they're not addictive.

SSRIs

The most commonly used anxiety medications are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) which include citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro) and fluoxetine (Prozac). These medications can also be used to treat depression and alleviate symptoms of other anxiety disorders such as obsessive compulsive disorder. It can take up to one month for them to begin working.

These drugs work by increasing the amount of certain chemical transmitters within the brain. This includes serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. These medications are typically the first choice for treating anxiety, but doctors can also prescribe other types of antidepressants or benzodiazepines.

Antidepressants, such as duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine, (Effexor) are also used to treat anxiety. They differ from SSRIs since they reduce norepinephrine, but at a lower rate than SSRIs. These medications take a long time to be effective and are more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants like imipramine Tofranil, can be effective in treating anxiety disorders. However, their drowsiness and other adverse reactions make them less popular. Another kind of antidepressant, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), can also be used to treat anxiety. However, their strict dietary restrictions and the high risk of toxicity limit their usage.

Benzodiazepines are commonly used to treat panic attacks and anxiety in the short-term like when you wait for SSRIs or SNRIs to take effect. These drugs can trigger tolerance, sedation and addiction and withdrawal reactions that include rebound depression, anxiety, and even delusions. Common benzodiazepines include alprazolam (Xanax) as well as clonazepam (Klonopin) and lorazepam (Ativan).

Therapy is an essential component of the treatment for anxiety because it allows you to learn more about your symptoms and the root causes. Many people discover that both therapy and medication help them cope with anxiety. Some studies suggest that cognitive behavioral therapy is just as effective as anxiety medications. Talk with your physician about your options and which might be best for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines have a calming effect that reduces anxiety and relaxes muscles that are tight. They also relieve symptoms of bodily stimulation related to fear (like heart racing or trembling), and promote sleep.

They work by binding inhibitory neurons, like GABA or gamma aminobutryic acid, at receptors within the central nervous system. They increase the effects of GABA by facilitating the inhibitory effects of GABA on other neurotransmitters and decreasing the amount of messages sent to amygdala. This is a region of the brain which assesses threats and creates a sense of anxiety.

These medications are typically taken for short durations, such as during panic attacks or an anxiety episode. They can relieve symptoms within 30 to 60 minutes. Unlike SSRIs which are a long-lasting medication, benzodiazepines do not stay in the body for long. They're quick-acting and typically take effect in just a couple of hours, making them suitable for situations in which you require quick relief (like during an airplane flight or prior to giving an event in public).

They can be addictive, so people are usually prescribed them for a maximum of 4 weeks at a time. After that time they also lose their effectiveness.

One of the main reasons the benzodiazepines became so well-known is they were efficient and had a few adverse effects when compared with their predecessors, such as meprobamate or barbiturates. They are effective and have a rapid onset, and can be used as anxiolytics in order to reduce anxiety. They can also be used as sedatives, anticonvulsants, and muscle relaxants.

Benzos have been blamed for the negative perceptions of anxiety that emerged in the 1970s and 1980s. This included the denial of the disorder and the belief that benzodiazepine treatment leads to physical dependence. Despite this, they continue to play a crucial role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, specifically in conjunction with psychosocial interventions like cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy.

Benzos may interact with other medications and trigger undesirable side effects like drowsiness or confusion. It is important to inform your doctor be aware of any other prescription, non-prescription or herbal medicines you're currently contemplating or are taking. Take  holistic treatment for anxiety Iampsychiatry  at the British National Formulary A to Z list of interactions with medications to find out which medications are safe when taken with benzodiazepines.

Antidepressants

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

Most doctors recommend SSRIs as the first-line treatment for anxiety, however these medications may not be appropriate for all people. If they fail doctors can try the older type of antidepressant known as tricyclic or tetracyclic an antidepressant. They include amitriptyline, nortriptyline, as well as clomipramine. These antidepressants are not as popular but they are still readily available. You may also ask your doctor to prescribe the sedating antidepressant trazodone(Desyrel), at lower doses if you're having sleep problems or anxiety.

Other antidepressants that may help are the nefazodone (Ferdinand) and duloxetine (Cymbalta). They're 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 and olanzapine.

Treatments for other anxiety disorders include beta blockers that reduce the heart rate and blood pressure by blocking the actions of adrenaline. These medications aren't typically used to treat anxiety on their own, but can be helpful when used in conjunction with psychotherapy.

Psychological therapy can help you overcome negative thoughts and behaviours that can cause anxiety. It can help you to control your anxiety, and develop coping strategies. Based on the severity of your problem, exposure therapy or cognitive behavior therapy may be recommended. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps you to overcome negative and fearful thoughts and to overcome your aversion to situations which trigger anxiety. Exposure therapy involves gradually increasing the severity of anxiety-inducing situations until can cope with the stressors. It can be performed in a group or on your own. In both cases, results can take a while to show. A combination of medications and psychological therapy is the best choice for some people. Some people find that medication alone is enough to manage symptoms. Discuss with your doctor how you manage your symptoms.

Other Medications

Other medications can aid in relieving your symptoms. Beta blockers, antihistamines, and buspirone are often prescribed to alleviate anxiety.

These drugs can help you ease your symptoms, by reducing or blocking the signals that cause anxiety and stress. However, they're not an all-in-one solution. You will still require a variety of methods to manage anxiety, such as exercises relaxation techniques, relaxation techniques and psychotherapy.

Your doctor could initially prescribe one of the "first first" anxiety medications, which include SSRIs and SNRIs. According to research, these drugs are the most effective for treating anxiety disorders. SSRIs are commonly found in sertraline (Zoloft), fluoxetine, citalopram, and escitalopram. These medications may cause mild side effects like nausea and insomnia, but these usually subside in 4-8 weeks. They are not addictive, and they do not increase the risk of suicidal ideas.

The benzodiazepines such as alprazolam diazepoxide and clonazepam (Valium), provide immediate relief from anxiety and panic attacks. However, they can cause side effects, such as dizziness and drowsiness. They can also trigger memory and coordination issues, and even dependence. They're not as popular over the more traditional barbiturates however, they're equally efficient.

Antihistamines such as Vistaril (hydroxyzine) were initially created to treat allergies. However they can also be used to reduce anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine has a calming effect because it blocks histamine receptors. It's not a controlled substance, so it doesn't have the same dangers of addiction as benzodiazepines.

Anticonvulsants are a different kind of medication that can aid in reducing anxiety. They have been shown to reduce anxiety by inhibiting the production of and release dopamine and sérotonin. These medications may be prescribed as a part of a combination therapy or used to treat anxiety in the short term. Your doctor will review your medical history and symptoms to determine if these drugs are appropriate for you. They'll also discuss the length of time you should take them and any possible adverse effects. Anxiety medications are only available by prescription, which means that a psychiatrist will be required to prescribe it.