meds that treat anxiety (please click Bravejournal)

Anxiety is among the most common mental health conditions which affects more than 40 million people in the United States. A variety of medications are available to treat anxiety.

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, unlike benzodiazepines.

SSRIs

The most commonly used anxiety medication is selective serotonin inhibits (SSRIs) which include citalopram, escitalopram, and fluoxetine. These drugs also help with depression, and can ease the symptoms of anxiety disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). They can take up to a month to begin working.

They work by increasing the amount of certain chemical transmitters that are present in the brain. This includes serotonin and norepinephrine as well as dopamine. They're usually the first treatment option for anxiety, though doctors also use other types of antidepressants as well as benzodiazepines.

Antidepressants like duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor) are also used for anxiety. They are a bit different from SSRIs because they decrease norepinephrine, however at a lower rate than SSRIs. These medications take a long time to be effective and are more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants, such as imipramine Tofranil, can be effective in treating anxiety disorders. Their drowsiness, as well as other side effects make them less popular. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are another kind of antidepressant used to combat anxiety. However, their dietary restrictions and the high risk of toxicity restrict their use.

Benzodiazepines can be used combat panic attacks and anxiety in the short-term while waiting for SSRIs and SNRIs. These medications can trigger addiction tolerance, sedation, and tolerance, as well as withdrawal symptoms such as a rebound anxiety, depression and delirium. Common benzodiazepines include alprazolam (Xanax) as well as Clonazepam (Klonopin) and lorazepam (Ativan).

Therapy is a crucial component of any anxiety treatment plan. It helps you to better understand your symptoms and their causes. Many people find that medication and therapy both aid in coping. In fact, some studies suggest that cognitive behavior therapy works just as well as anxiety medications. Talk with your physician about your options and which is the best option for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines have a calming effect they reduce anxiety and relax muscles that are tense. They also alleviate symptoms of bodily arousal due to fear (like heart racing and shaking) and promote sleep.

The way they function is through binding to inhibitory neurotransmitters, such as gamma-aminobutryic acid or GABA, at receptors in the central nervous system. They enhance the effects of GABA by facilitating its inhibitory effect on other neurotransmitters, and reducing the amount of messages that are that are transmitted to the amygdala, which is the brain's region that detects threats and creates the feeling of fear.

These medications are typically employed for short periods of time like an attack of panic or a severe anxiety attack. They may help relieve symptoms within 30 to 90 minutes of taking them. Benzodiazepines are, in contrast to SSRIs do not stay in the body for a long time. They're quick-acting and can work within a couple of hours. This makes them perfect for situations where quick relief is required (such for instance, during a flight or before giving a presentation in public).

They are addictive, which is why people are generally only prescribed them for up to four weeks at a time. They also lose effectiveness after a period of time.

One of the reasons why benzodiazepines are so popular is because they are safe and have minimal adverse effects when compared to their predecessors like barbiturates and meprobamate. They have a rapid time to begin their action and are extremely effective as anxiolytics (anti-anxiety), sedatives, anticonvulsants and as muscle relaxants.

Benzos have been blamed for the negative attitudes toward anxiety that developed in the 1970s and 1980s, which included the stigmatization of anxiety treatment leeds and the perception that benzodiazepine treatment can lead to physical dependence. Despite this the fact that benzodiazepines play a crucial part in the treatment of anxiety disorders, especially when combined with psychosocial interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy and other interpersonal therapies.

Benzos can interact with other medications, causing undesirable side effects like drowsiness or confusion. You should tell your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription or herbal medications that you are currently taking or plan to take. Go through the British National Formulary A to Z list of interactions with medications to find out which medicines are safe to take with benzodiazepines.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants can be effective in treating anxiety and mental illnesses. 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 issues, such as bipolar disorder, eating disorders, and certain types of pain.

SSRIs are typically prescribed as a first-line treatment of anxiety by doctors, but they may not work for everyone. If they aren't working doctors can consider a different type of antidepressant, known as a tricyclic or tetracyclic antidepressant. These include amitriptyline or nortriptyline as well as Clomipramine. They're not as popular as the latest antidepressants but are still accessible. Your doctor may prescribe the antidepressant with a sedating effect, Trazodone (Desyrel) at lower doses for sleep or anxiety.

Other antidepressants that can aid are the nefazodone (Ferdinand) and duloxetine (Cymbalta). They are also available in generic forms. If they don't work your doctor, you can try the antipsychotics quetiapine and olanzapine or the sedative antidepressant Mirtazapine.

Medications for other anxiety disorders include beta blockers that reduce the heart rate and blood pressure by preventing the action of adrenaline. These drugs aren't commonly used to treat anxiety on their own, but can be helpful when paired with psychotherapy.

Psychotherapy can help you to change negative thoughts and behaviors that cause anxiety. It can help you to manage your anxiety and build coping skills. Depending on the severity of your problem exposure therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy may be recommended. Cognitive behavioural therapy can help you overcome negative thoughts, fears and the fear of situations that trigger your anxiety. Exposure therapy is the process of increasing the anxiety provoking situations until they can be managed. It can be done either individually or in smaller groups. In both instances, the results will take time to manifest. A combination of medications and psychological therapy is the best medication to treat anxiety choice for some individuals. Some people find that medication alone is enough to manage symptoms. Tell your doctor how to treat anxiety without medication you manage your symptoms.

Other Medicines

Other medications can also help relieve your symptoms. Beta blockers and antihistamines are often prescribed to alleviate anxiety.

These drugs correct an imbalance in the brain's chemicals and can alleviate symptoms by reducing or blocking signals that can cause stress and fear. They are not a panacea. You'll need to continue doing other things to reduce your anxiety, like physical exercise or relaxation techniques, as well as psychotherapy.

Your doctor may initially prescribe one of the "first first" anxiety medications, which include SSRIs and SNRIs. According to studies, these medications are the most effective for treating anxiety disorders. The most common SSRIs include sertraline (Zoloft) as well as fluoxetine (Prozac) and citalopram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro). These medications may have mild side effects, such as insomnia or nausea, but they typically disappear within 4-8 weeks. They aren't addictive, and they do not increase the likelihood of suicidal thoughts.

The benzodiazepines alprazolam (Xanax) and Clonazepam (Klonopin) and diazepoxide (Valium) offer immediate relief from anxiety and panic attacks however they can you treat anxiety disorder without medication also cause side effects, including dizziness, drowsiness and coordination issues, and dependence. They're not as popular than the older barbiturates, but are just as effective.

Antihistamines such as Vistaril (hydroxyzine) were initially developed to relieve 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 addiction risks as benzodiazepines.

Another kind of medication that may help with anxiety is a group of medications called anticonvulsants. They've been shown to relieve anxiety by interfering with the production and release of serotonin and dopamine. They may be prescribed in conjunction with other drugs or as a temporary treatment for anxiety. Your doctor will examine your medical history and symptoms to determine if these drugs are appropriate for you. They will also discuss the length of time you'll need these medications as well as any possible negative side effects that might occur. Anxiety medications can only be purchased on prescription, so you'll need to visit a psychiatrist before you can get them.