Medications to Treat Anxiety

Therapy is the most effective method to treat anxiety non medication treatments, but sometimes a short-term course of medication may be required. The medications used to treat anxiety include tranquilizers and antidepressants.

SSRI antidepressants like citalopram sertraline, and escitalopram can reduce anxiety. SNRIs that target the chemical serotonin as well as norepinephrine could be effective.

SSRIs

SSRIs are typically the first prescription medication recommended by doctors to treat anxiety disorders. They stop nerve cells in the brain from absorbing serotonin, which is a chemical that plays a crucial function in the regulation of mood. The drugs take time to begin working, but most people feel better within about 4 to 6 weeks. SSRIs do not develop a habit and are not addictive, which is why they can be used for a lengthy period of time.

Another type of antidepressant, SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), also treats depression and anxiety. SNRIs are citalopram, Escitalopram, fluoxetine (Prozac) and paraxetine (Paxil) and sertraline. Tricyclic antidepressants, such as imipramine (Tofranil) and Doxepine (Anxiety Disorder Stimulant) also treat anxiety and depression. New antidepressants like mirtazapine (Remeron) are also sometimes used to treat anxiety disorders.

Doctors aren't sure exactly how SSRIs and SNRIs function, but they do know that they boost activity of certain chemical messengers in the brain, called neurotransmitters. They stop the brain from reabsorbing these chemicals, and permit them to attach to their 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 help for bulimia, though it is not as common.

Atypical antipsychotics can be prescribed to people with anxiety who aren't responding to SSRIs. Examples include quetiapine, (Abilify) and aripiprazole, (Risperdal). These drugs reduce postpartum anxiety treatment in people with obsessive compulsive disorder. They are usually prescribed in conjunction with an antidepressant and have a lower risk of serious side effects than other types of antipsychotics.

Beta-blockers are also prescribed for anxiety, and heart problems. Examples include propranolol (Inderal) and atenolol (Tenormin). They can help reduce physical symptoms of anxiety in those with social anxiety disorder. They can also aid in reducing anxiety prior to or after surgery, and for certain chronic pain conditions. The benzodiazepines, such as lorazepam (Ativan) can be used to manage symptoms when other medication aren't working. However, benzodiazepines can cause dependence and can be addictive.

SNRIs

SNRIs are a different kind of antidepressant medication that is often prescribed to treat anxiety. They function similarly as SSRIs however they also boost the availability norepinephrine, and serotonin. They are therefore more effective in treating certain anxiety disorders, such as anxiety disorder, social anxiety and panic disorder. Similar to other medications, they are most effective when they are used in conjunction with talk therapy and other treatment strategies.

Contrary to benzodiazepines, SNRIs do not cause dependence or addiction in most people. Some patients may experience withdrawal symptoms when stopping a medication following an extended period of usage. It is crucial to talk with your physician prior to stopping any medication.

Serotonin and norepinephrine are neurotransmitters responsible for mood and stress responses. They play a key part in the fight or flight response that many sufferers of anxiety experience. SNRIs stop nerve cells from quickly mopping up neurotransmitters by preventing the process of reuptake. They help keep these chemicals in the body for longer, and can boost mood, decrease anxiety, and even ease anxiety attacks.

Norepinephrine also plays a part in anxiety, as it stimulates the Amygdala. This is a deep and primitive brain region that is associated with anxiety-related behavior. SNRIs reduce the activity in this part of the brain. This can improve mood, anxiety and reduce panic attacks.

While these medications can be very beneficial however, it is important to keep in mind that they do have the potential of causing increased suicidal ideas in certain individuals. Due to this, they are typically prescribed in higher doses for a short-term period. Additionally, these drugs are able to interact with other drugs and substances. If you are on any other prescription or over-the counter medications, make sure you discuss this with your physician and keep them up-to-date on any underlying conditions you have particularly heart issues and bleeding diseases. Also, be aware that certain patients have reported adverse reactions to SNRIs like dry mouth and nausea.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines, or benzos, as they're often called are fast-acting drugs that can help ease anxiety and anxiety-related symptoms such as muscle tension and insomnia. They are useful in some sufferers of anxiety disorders, such as social anxiety and panic disorder, especially if other treatments, such as SSRIs or psychotherapy (talk therapy) do not work. They are also a good short-term solution, like while you wait for an antidepressant to begin working. Benzos include diazepam, temazepam, and flurazepam.

Because they're fast-acting, they usually begin to work within 30 minutes. They don't last for long in the body, therefore you must take them regularly to benefit from their effects. Benzos should not be taken for long periods as they can trigger physical dependence and addiction. Benzos are not recommended for those suffering from depression or other anxiety disorders, as they can increase the risk of those issues.

People who use benzos for a long period of time, often without medical supervision, could develop a condition called sedative-use disorder. It can cause withdrawal symptoms and addiction. It is not common for those who use benzos according to their prescription to develop this disorder however. Benzo abuse usually stems from other factors like alcoholism or depression.

Tolerence to benzodiazepines could develop if they are taken for a long period of time. Tolerance means that you require more medication to achieve the same effects. This could cause respiratory depression, or even death. It is essential to take benzodiazepines in the prescribed dosage for long-term basis.

Other Medicines

SSRIs and SNRIs are among the first drugs doctors will typically prescribe to treat anxiety. They affect serotonin which is responsible for mood, appetite, and sleep. It can take up to 12 weeks to begin working and may cause adverse 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. Antidepressants, unlike benzodiazepines, do not cause physical dependence. However, they may cause withdrawal symptoms if they are abruptly stopped.

Sertraline (Zoloft), Prozac (Prozac) Prozac (Zoloft), and Celexa (Citalopram) are all drugs in this class. They can be used as a stand-alone treatment or in combination with therapy. Antidepressants are prescribed by a psychiatrist, psychologist or family physician with special training in the field of medication management.

Doctors may prescribe a class of monoamine-oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) as an antidepressant. These drugs block the action of enzymes that break chemical down, such as serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. MAOIs can take up to three or four weeks to take effect however they aren't as quick-acting as SSRIs.

Another medication that can help manage anxiety is clonidine. This is used to manage blood pressure, but is not widely used to treat anxiety. Its effectiveness is limited by adverse effects like hypotension and sedation. Antihistamines such as hydroxyzine can be prescribed by medical professionals to help reduce anxiety and panic attacks. They may also decrease the effectiveness of benzodiazepines in certain patients.

Anxiety is often treated with a combination of psychotherapy, exercise and medication. The most effective approach is working with a therapist who specializes in treating anxiety disorders. They can help you work through the underlying causes of your anxiety and recommend ways to manage it without medication, if needed. Other options for treating anxiety that aren't medications include eye movement desensitization and mindfulness meditation, reprocessing, and yoga based on trauma. Talk with your therapist about what options are best for you. Psychiatrists have the training to analyze your medical history, symptoms and formulate an anxiety treatment plan that is appropriate for you. When creating the plan, they will take into account your lifestyle, diagnosis medical background, lifestyle, and personal preferences. They can also make adjustments over time.