A Glimpse In The Secrets Of Meds To Treat Anxiety

Medications to Treat Anxiety

Therapy is the best way to manage anxiety, however sometimes a short-term course of medication may be necessary. Antidepressants and tranquilizers are two of the medications that can be used to treat anxiety.

SSRI antidepressants, such as citalopram (Celexa), Escitalopram (Lexapro) and sertraline (Zoloft), improve the communication between nerve cells in the brain and reduce anxiety. SNRIs, which are aimed at the chemicals serotonin and norepinephrine, can also be effective.

SSRIs

SSRIs are often the first prescription medication recommended by doctors to treat anxiety disorders. They block the brain's nerve cells from reabsorbing serotonin, a chemical that plays a key role in mood regulation. It takes time for the medications to be effective however, people typically begin to feel better after 4 to six weeks. SSRIs are not habit-forming and do not cause addiction, which means they are safe to use for long periods of time.

Another type of antidepressant, SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), also treats depression and anxiety. The SNRIs include citalopram, escitalopram and fluoxetine (Prozac) as well as paraxetine (Paxil), and sertraline.  holistic anxiety treatment , such as imipramine (Tofranil) and doxepine (Anxiety Disorder Stimulant) also treat depression and anxiety. New antidepressants like mirtazapine (Remeron) are also used to treat anxiety disorders.

Doctors aren't sure exactly how SSRIs and SNRIs work, but they do know that they boost activity of certain chemical messengers in the brain, called neurotransmitters. They stop the brain from reabsorbing chemicals and allow these substances to interact with receptors.

SSRIs are used to treat generalized anxiety disorder, GAD; obsessive-compulsive disorder, OCD; panic disorder/agoraphobia; and posttraumatic stress disorder, PTSD. They can also be helpful with bulimia, but it is less common.

People suffering from anxiety who are not responding to SSRIs may be prescribed an atypical antipsychotic drug. Examples include quetiapine (Abilify) and Aripiprazole (Risperdal). These medications ease anxiety in people with obsessive-compulsive disorders. They are typically prescribed in combination with an antidepressant. They also have a lower risk of serious adverse reactions than other forms of antipsychotics.

Beta-blockers are also used to treat anxiety and heart issues. Propranolol as well as atenolol are just two examples. They can reduce the physical symptoms of anxiety, particularly for people with social anxiety disorder. They can also aid in reducing anxiety before or after surgery and for some chronic pain conditions. Benzodiazepines like lorazepam (Ativan) can be used to manage symptoms when other medications aren't working. They can be habit-forming and addictive.

SNRIs

SNRIs are a different kind of antidepressant medications often prescribed to treat anxiety. They work similarly to SSRIs, but they also increase the availability of norepinephrine and serotonin in the brain. In turn, they are typically more effective in treating specific types of anxiety disorders. This includes panic disorder and social anxiety disorder. These medications are most effective when used when combined with other treatment strategies and therapy.

Contrary to benzodiazepines, SNRIs aren't a dependence or addiction for most people. Some patients may experience withdrawal symptoms when stopping a medication after long-term use. Due to this, it is crucial to talk with your doctor prior to stopping any medication.

Neurotransmitters such as serotonin and norepinephrine are responsible for regulating mood and stress. They play a key role in the fight or flight response that many anxiety sufferers experience. By blocking the reuptake process, SNRIs stop nerve cells from quickly absorbing these neurotransmitters. By doing so they hold these chemicals in the brain for longer and, as a result they have the potential to improve mood and reduce anxiety levels or assist in the relief of symptoms of panic attacks.

Norepinephrine is also important in anxiety due to its ability to activate the amygdala, a deep and primal part of the brain associated with fear-related behavior. SNRIs have been shown to reduce activity in this area of the brain, which may positively impact anxiety and mood, as well as alleviate panic attacks.

These medications are very helpful, but they can also increase suicidal thinking in some people. Due to this, they are usually prescribed in higher doses for a short-term period. In addition, these medications can interact with several other medications and other substances. It is important to inform your doctor if are taking any other prescriptions or over the prescription medicines. Also be sure to inform them of any existing conditions such as heart issues and bleeding disorders. Also, be aware that certain patients have reported adverse reactions to SNRIs, such as dry mouth and nausea.

Benzodiazepines

Benzos, also known as benzodiazepines, as they're often called -- are quick-acting medications that reduce anxiety and anxiety-related symptoms, like muscle tension and insomnia. They can be helpful for sufferers of anxiety disorders, including social anxiety and panic disorder particularly when other treatments, such as SSRIs or psychotherapy (talk therapy) do not work. They're also helpful as a temporary solution, for example, while you wait for an antidepressant to begin working. The medications diazepam (Valium) and lorazepam (Ativan) are the most commonly used benzos, however others include Clonazepam (Rivotril) as well as temazepam (Restoril) and flurazepam (Dalmane).

Because they're fast-acting, they typically begin working within 30 minutes. These medications don't last very long in the body, which is why it is essential to take them regularly to benefit from their effects. Benzos should not be used for long periods because they can lead to physical dependence and addiction. Benzos are not recommended for people with anxiety disorders or depression because they may increase the risk of developing those problems.

People who take benzos for an extended period, without medical supervision and often without the direction of a doctor, could develop a condition known as sedative use disorders, which includes withdrawal symptoms and addiction. This problem is rare in people who use benzos on prescription. Misuse of benzos usually results from other factors such as alcoholism or depression.

Utilizing benzodiazepines in the long-term can cause tolerance to their effects on sedation. When you become tolerant, it takes more and more of the medication to produce the same effect. This could result in respiratory depression or even death. Even if you're taking benzodiazepines for a long period of time, it is essential to adhere to the prescription.

Other Medications

SSRIs and SNRIs will be the first drugs prescribed by doctors to treat anxiety. They affect serotonin which affects the mood, sleep, appetite and appetite. They can take a while to take effect, up to 12 weeks, and have certain side effects, such as insomnia or nausea. SSRIs are also used to treat other mental health disorders such as depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and panic disorder. In contrast to benzodiazepines they don't create physical dependence, but they may trigger withdrawal symptoms when abruptly cut off.

Medications in this class include sertraline (Zoloft), the fluoxetine (Prozac) and citalopram (Celexa). They can be used as a stand-alone treatment or in combination with therapy. Antidepressants are prescribed by psychologists, psychiatrists or family doctors with specialized training in the management of medications.

Doctors may prescribe a class of monoamine-oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) as an antidepressant. These medications block the action of certain enzymes which break down chemicals like serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. MAOIs can take up to three or four weeks to take effect but they're not as fast-acting as SSRIs.

Clonidine is another medication that can be used to treat anxiety. It is often used to treat anxiety but is also used to lower blood pressure. Its effectiveness is limited by negative side effects, such as hypotension and sedation. Doctors may prescribe antihistamines such as hydroxyzine, to reduce symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks. Some patients might also experience a reduction in the effectiveness of benzodiazepines.

Anxiety is usually treated by combining psychotherapy, medication and exercise. The most effective approach is to consult a therapist who specializes in treating anxiety disorders. They can help you work through the root causes of your anxiety and recommend ways to manage it without medication, if needed. Other options for treating anxiety that do not require medication include eye movement desensitization, mindfulness meditation, reprocessing and trauma-informed yoga. Talk to your therapist about how to determine the most effective options for you. Psychiatrists are trained to evaluate your symptoms and medical history and develop an anxiety treatment plan that is suitable for you. They will consider your specific medical background and preferences when creating this plan and make adjustments as needed.