Anxiety Treatment Medications
People with anxiety disorders usually get better by undergoing psychotherapy and taking medication. The medications used to treat anxiety include benzodiazepines such as Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Valium (diazepam).
Antidepressants can also treat anxiety. SSRIs like citalopram (Celexa) and fluoxetine (Prozac) are effective in preventing brain nerve cells from absorbing serotonin, which is a chemical that affects mood.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines (benzos) are powerful drugs that treat anxiety very well and work quickly. However, they also can be physically addictive, and pose serious risks to safety when used for long durations. Because of this, they should be prescribed and administered under the supervision of a medical professional. They can be used as a "as-needed" treatment for panic episodes and other anxiety-related episodes that are severe. Benzos can be utilized in combination with psychotherapy, antidepressants and other medicines to treat anxiety disorders.
Benzos are very effective at short-term anxiety treatments and can help you get an excellent night's rest. However, they can be dangerous when abused, and they are not suitable to be used in conjunction with other drugs. When mixed with sedative drugs like alcohol or opioid pain medications, benzodiazepines may increase the risk of overdose and death. They may also interact with antidepressants, which can cause severe and life-threatening withdrawal symptoms.
If prescribed by a doctor, benzodiazepines are safe and effective in treating anxiety disorders. However, a lot of doctors are cautious about using them due to the fact that they can be addictive and have adverse side effects such as memory loss. Long-term use of these substances can trigger severe withdrawal symptoms, and those who develop dependence are usually unable to stop taking them without suffering serious side effects, such as depression and seizures. The key to long term benzo usage is prescribing them only to patients who could benefit from their use, using them in clinical settings that are likely improve anxiety symptoms, avoiding prolonged withdrawal or abrupt discontinuation, minimizing the chance of abuse, and combing them with a psychological treatment.
Anxiety medications such as benzodiazepines can alleviate anxiety. They do this by blocking certain nerves signals and stopping their transmission to the brain. These medications can aid in sleeping and feeling less anxious but they will not resolve the root cause that causes anxiety.
There are many natural ways to ease your anxiety, like meditation, exercise and yoga. Other treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy, which teaches you to confront your irrational fears and anxieties.
Antidepressants
SSRIs, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are a good option for people suffering from anxiety, as they help the brain regulate mood. However, they could take anywhere from four to six weeks or more to begin working. If one isn't feeling better after the time frame, they should talk to their physician about changing their medications.
Antidepressants like mirtazapine and nefazodone are also effective in treating anxiety. They may be more effective when compared to older drugs like venlafaxine or XR. However it is important to remember that these medications can cause severe reactions in some people. If you have this reaction, call healthdirect at 1800 022222 to talk to an experienced nurse.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors, also known as MAOIs, are another kind of antidepressant used for anxiety. They block the action of enzymes that breakdown chemicals in the brain which include dopamine and noradrenaline. This allows the levels these chemicals to rise, with a positive effect on mood. MAOIs tend to be reserved for those who do not respond well to other antidepressants. However, they can be very effective in treating anxiety.
One of the most effective antidepressants to treat anxiety are the tricyclic antidepressants. These drugs are similar to SSRIs in how they treat anxiety and other mental disorders, but they are less prone to negative side effects. These medications are effective at small doses, but their effectiveness increases with the increase in dosage. Tricyclics are effective for treating panic disorder, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder but they are less likely to aid in treating generalized anxiety disorder.
Buspirone, an antidepressant that is newer, is also used to treat anxiety. It functions as an a mild tranquilizer, however it doesn't have the same negative side effects as benzodiazepines. It doesn't affect the ability to concentrate and memory. It increases serotonin in the brain and decreasing dopamine. The drug is effective for up to 70% of those who test it. The side effects tend to decrease as the medication is taken for longer durations. Talk therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy or exposure therapy, can be utilized in conjunction with these drugs to improve the effect.
Buspirone
Buspirone is a generic drug that's used to treat anxiety disorders. It's taken by mouth typically twice daily. It's not a controlled substance however it does have the potential to be abused.
Doctors aren't certain of the exact way it is working, but they believe that buspirone reduces the amount and actions of a chemical known as serotonin in certain parts of the brain. This makes the nervous system less sensitive to stress and anxiety.
Buspirone is generally regarded as safe by doctors for the majority of people. It is generally believed to be less harmful and has a lower chance of addiction than benzodiazepines and barbiturates. Like other drugs there are some adverse reactions. Most commonly, they are dizziness and nausea. It's important to tell your doctor about all the medicines, supplements and other ingredients you're taking before starting buspirone, because it could interact with them.
If you are older than 65, your doctor could give you a lower dose of buspirone. This is because older people tend to react to drugs differently than younger people do. This is especially true of drugs that affect the nervous system.
It's also important to inform your doctor if you are taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan) or linezolid (Zyvox) and Phenelzine (Nardil) or selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar) or tranylcypromine (Parnate). Buspirone can cause serious side effects by increasing the concentrations of these drugs.
Consult your physician if you suffer from liver disease, kidney problems, stomach problems, are pregnant, or breastfeed. Certain medications, like SSRIs, may not be appropriate for you in these circumstances.
Your doctor may prescribe an alternative treatment if buspirone doesn't work or in the event that you are unable to take it due to a medical issue, or because of an interaction with another drug. This could be a different type of antidepressant like Lexapro or Prozac or beta blockers such as propranolol or a benzodiazepine such as Xanax. The PIL for each drug will include additional information on the best way to take it and possible adverse reactions.
Other Medical Treatments
In addition to medication, there are other treatments that can help ease anxiety. Talk therapy or psychotherapy is an option. Psychotherapy can help you learn how to deal with anxiety and alter your way of thinking. Other options include learning relaxation techniques, maintaining an exercise routine, and avoiding alcohol and drugs. Herbal medicines can be helpful for sufferers with anxiety-related symptoms. If these alternatives don't work, talk to your doctor.
Medications used as an anxiety treatment usually fall into two broad categories: antidepressants and benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines, such as Ativan or lorazepam enhance the activity of GABA in your brain, which promotes tranquility. treatment of anxiety provide rapid relief but they can also become addictive if they are used for a long time. Antidepressants take longer to work but they help regulate the levels in your brain of certain neurotransmitters, chemicals that affect your mood.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors(SSRIs), or SSRIs are the most common type of antidepressant that is used to treat anxiety. They boost the levels of serotonin, a chemical messenger in your brain, which can improve your mood and make you feel less stressed. Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) are a different antidepressant that stops the reabsorption both of serotonin as well as norepinephrine out of your brain. This boosts the levels of these chemicals in your body, which makes you feel more energetic. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are a third antidepressant group that is sometimes used by people who don't respond to SSRIs to treat anxiety.
There are also a number of other medications that are frequently used to treat anxiety, including azapirones (such as buspirone), beta- and alpha-blockers, antihistamines (such as hydroxyzine) and clonidine. These medications have a lower chance of success than SSRIs or benzodiazepines.
Although medication can be an effective treatment for anxiety, it shouldn't always be used. If you have a root cause for your anxiety, such as debt, a poor diet, or a bad relationship, non-drug therapies may be more efficient. Other options include cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT; biofeedback, which teaches you to control your own brain waves by using a monitor device; and mindfulness meditation, which is a type of meditation that focuses on the present moment.