Anxiety Treatment Medications
People with anxiety disorders often improve through psychotherapy and medication. Benzodiazepines like Xanax, Klonopin, and Valium are used to help with anxiety.
Antidepressants can also be used to combat anxiety. SSRIs like citalopram and fluoxetine work by preventing nerve cells in the mind from reabsorbing serotonin. This chemical affects mood.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines (benzos) are powerful drugs that are effective in treating anxiety and can be used quickly. They can also be physically addictive and pose significant safety risks when used for prolonged periods. This is why they should be prescribed and taken under the guidance of a physician. They can be used as an "as-needed" treatment for panic attacks and other anxiety disorders that are severe. Benzos are usually used together with other medications such as antidepressants or psychotherapy (talk therapy), as part of a comprehensive anxiety disorder treatment plan.
Benzos are extremely effective in short-term anxiety relief and can assist you in getting an excellent night's rest. They can be harmful if abused and are not recommended for use in conjunction with other medicines. When benzodiazepines are combined with sedatives such as alcohol and opioid pain medication, the risk of death or overdose rises. They can also interact with antidepressants, causing serious and life-threatening withdrawal symptoms.
If prescribed by a physician If prescribed by a physician, benzodiazepines can be safe and effective in treating anxiety disorders. Many doctors are cautious when prescribing them as they can lead to addiction and adverse side effects, like memory loss. In the long run, they can trigger severe withdrawal reactions, and people who become dependent on them are typically incapable of stopping their use without experiencing serious symptoms like depression and seizures. The key to long-term benzo use is to: prescribe them only to patients who could benefit from them; use them in clinical situations that are likely to ameliorate anxiety symptoms; stay away from prolonged use or abrupt discontinuation; limit the risk of abuse, particularly among children; and mix them with effective psychological interventions.
Anxiety medications, like benzodiazepines, can help ease anxiety by blocking certain nerve signals and stopping them from being released in the brain. These drugs can help you sleep more comfortably and feel less stressed, but they won't solve the root cause of what makes you worry (like increasing bills or an unhealthy relationship).
Meditation, exercise, and yoga are all natural ways to reduce anxiety. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a different treatment. You learn to conquer the irrational fears and anxieties.
Antidepressants
SSRIs which are also known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, are a good choice for people suffering from anxiety, as they help the brain regulate mood. It could take up to four weeks for them to begin working. If the patient does not feel better after this time, they should speak to their doctor about changing medication.
Antidepressants like mirtazapine or nefazodone can be effective in treating anxiety. They may be more effective than older medications, such as venlafaxine XR. However it's important to keep in mind that these drugs can trigger severe reactions in some people. If they have this reaction you should seek immediate medical attention or call healthdirect at 1800 022 222 to speak to a registered nurse (known as NURSE-ON-CALL Victoria).
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors, or MAOIs are a different type of antidepressant employed to treat anxiety. They block the action of enzymes that break down chemicals in the brain which include dopamine and noradrenaline. This allows the levels of these chemicals to rise, with a positive effect on mood. MAOIs tend to be reserved for patients that do not respond well to other antidepressants. However, they can be very effective in treating anxiety.
The most effective antidepressants for anxiety are tricyclic antidepressants. These medications help with mental and anxiety disorders in a similar manner to SSRIs, but with fewer side-effects. These medications are effective at low doses, but their effectiveness increases as you increase the dosage. Tricyclics are effective in treating anxiety, panic disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder. However, they may not be as effective in treating generalized anxiety disorder.
Buspirone, a newer antidepressant, is also used to combat anxiety. It is a mild tranquilizer that does not have the same adverse effects as benzodiazepines. It also doesn't impair the ability to concentrate and memory. It works by increasing serotonin in the brain, and reducing dopamine. Up to 70% of people who try the drug find it to be effective. When the medication is used longer, side effects tend to diminish. Talk therapy, like exposure therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy, can be incorporated with these medications to enhance their effect.
Buspirone
Buspirone is a generic medicine used to treat anxiety disorders. how anxiety is treated is taken orally, usually twice a day. It's not a controlled drug however it does have the potential to be abused.
Doctors aren't sure exactly how buspirone works, but they believe that it decreases the amount of serotonin and its effects in specific areas of the brain. This makes the nervous system less responsive to stress and anxiety.
In general, doctors believe that buspirone is as a drug that is safe for most people. It is generally believed to be less toxic and has a lower chance of addiction than benzodiazepines and barbiturates. However, as with other medications they can trigger adverse effects. The most common ones are nausea and dizziness. It is essential to inform your doctor about all the medications, supplements and ingredients you're taking before starting buspirone, since it can interact with them.
If you're older than 65, your doctor may prescribe a lower dose of buspirone. This is due to the fact that older people tend to respond to drugs differently than younger people do. This is particularly true for drugs that affect the nervous system.
Tell your doctor if any of these drugs are taken by you. These include isocarboxazid linezolid, phenelzine, selegiline, Emsam, Zelapar, and tranylcypromine. Buspirone can cause serious adverse side effects by increasing the concentrations of these drugs.
You should also let your doctor know if you suffer from kidney illness, stomach issues, or are pregnant or breastfeeding. Certain medications, like SSRIs are not suitable for you in these situations.
If buspirone isn't working, or you can't take it because of a medical condition or interaction with other medications, your doctor will prescribe an alternative treatment for anxiety. This could be a new type of antidepressant such as Lexapro or Prozac or beta blockers, such as propranolol or a benzodiazepine like Xanax. The PIL for each drug will provide additional information on how to take it and possible adverse effects.
Other Medicines
In addition to medication There are other methods that can alleviate anxiety. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, is one option. Psychotherapy can help you learn how to manage anxiety and change your ways of thinking. Other options include learning relaxation techniques, a regular workout routine, and avoiding drinking and using drugs. Some people get relief from anxiety symptoms by taking herbal medications. If these alternatives don't work, consult your doctor.
Antidepressants andbenzodiazepines are the two main categories of medications used to treat anxiety. Benzodiazepines, such as Ativan (lorazepam) can enhance the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid or GABA in your brain, which helps to increase calmness. They can bring relief quickly however they can be addictive if they are used over a long period of time. Antidepressants are slower to work, but they balance the levels in your brain of specific neurotransmitters. These chemicals influence your mood.
Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs are the most well-known kind of antidepressant used to treat anxiety. They boost the amount of serotonin which is a chemical messenger in your brain. This can boost your mood and reduce anxiety. Another class of antidepressants is serotonin norepinephrine-reuptake inhibitors known as SNRIs, block the reabsorption of serotonin and norepinephrine into your brain, thereby increasing levels of these chemicals, making you feel more energetic. Monoamine inhibitors of oxidase (MAOIs) are an additional class of antidepressants that is often used by people who don't respond to SSRIs to combat anxiety.
There are many other medications that can be used to treat anxiety. They include azapirones, beta- and alpha-blockers Antihistamines, for instance hydroxyzine, and Clonidine. The majority of these have lower success rates than SSRIs and benzodiazepines.
Although medication is a very effective treatment for anxiety but it shouldn't be the only treatment you use. Non-drug treatments can be more effective if there is an underlying cause of your anxiety, such as debt, poor diet or a bad relationship. Other options include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), biofeedback (which teaches you how to regulate your brain's activity by using a device to monitor them), and mindfulness meditation.