15 Inspiring Facts About Treat Anxiety You Didn't Know

Meds That Treat Anxiety

Anxiety affects 40 million adults in the United States. It's highly treatable, with numerous medications available.

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. Unlike benzodiazepines, they're not addictive.

SSRIs

The most common anxiety medication is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro) and fluoxetine (Prozac). These medications also help with depression, and can alleviate symptoms associated with other anxiety disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). They may take up to a month for them to begin working.

These drugs increase the amount of certain chemical messengers within the brain, such as serotonin and norepinephrine. They are usually the first option for anxiety, but doctors also use other types of antidepressants and benzodiazepines.

Another class of antidepressants known as serotonin and norepinephrine receptor inhibitors (SNRIs) like duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor), are also used to treat anxiety. They work a little differently than SSRIs in that they reduce the reabsorption rate of norepinephrine and serotonin, though at lower levels than SSRIs. These medications take a lengthy time to be effective and are more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants, like imipramine Tofranil can be effective for treating anxiety disorders. However, their drowsiness and other adverse effects make them less popular. Another form of antidepressant is monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs) can be used to combat anxiety. Their high toxicity risk and the restriction on dietary intake make them unsuitable for use.

Benzodiazepines are often used to treat anxiety and panic attacks in the short term for instance, when waiting for SSRIs or SNRIs to begin working. These medications can trigger dependence, tolerance, and sedation as well as withdrawal symptoms such a depression, anxiety, and delirium. Benzodiazepines can be found in alprazolam, clonazepam, and lorazepam.

Therapy is an essential part of any anxiety treatment plan. It helps you to better know your symptoms and their reasons. Many people discover that medication and therapy both aid in coping. Certain studies have proven that cognitive behavioral therapy can be just as effective as medications for anxiety. Talk to your doctor about your options and what is the best option for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines create a calming effect, decrease anxiety and relax muscles that are tense. They also relieve symptoms of bodily stress related to fear (like heart racing or shaking) and encourage sleep.

They work by binding inhibitory neurons, like GABA or gamma aminobutryic acid at receptors in the central nervous system. They increase the effects of GABA by facilitating the inhibitory effect of GABA on other neurotransmitters and by reducing the volume of messages sent to amygdala. This is a region of the brain that is able to detect threats and creates a sense of fear.

These drugs can be used for short periods of time, such as when panic attacks occur or if you are experiencing extreme anxiety. They may ease the symptoms within 30 to 90 minutes after taking them. Benzodiazepines are, in contrast to SSRIs don't stay in the body for long. They're quick-acting and typically perform in just a few hours, which makes them ideal for situations in which quick relief is needed (like on a plane flight or before an address in public).

They can be addictive, so it is recommended to only prescribe them for up to four weeks at a time. They also lose effectiveness after a certain period of time.

One of the reasons why benzodiazepines are so popular is because they are safe and have few negative effects compared to predecessors like barbiturates and meprobamate. They are efficient and have a rapid onset and can be used as anxiolytics to reduce anxiety. They can also be used as sedatives, anticonvulsants and muscle relaxants.

Benzos have been blamed for the negative perceptions of anxiety that emerged in the 1970s and 1980s, including the denial of the disorder and the perception that benzodiazepine treatment can lead to physical dependence. However they still play a significant role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, specifically in conjunction with psychosocial interventions like cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy.

Benzos can interact with other drugs and cause undesirable side-effects such as drowsiness, confusion or drowsiness. It is recommended to inform your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription, or herbal medication you are currently taking or are planning to take. Go through the British National Formulary A to Z list of interactions with medications to find out what medicines are safe to take with benzodiazepines.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants can be effective in treating anxiety and other mental disorders. 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 a variety of antidepressants to treat other health conditions as well, including eating disorders, certain kinds of pain, and bipolar disorder.

Most doctors recommend SSRIs as the first-line treatment for anxiety, however these medications may not be appropriate for everyone. If these antidepressants don't work the doctor might suggest an older type known as a tetracyclic, or tricyclic antidepressant. These include amitriptyline, nortriptyline, clomipramine and trimipramine, doxepin and dothiepin or imipramine. They're not as popular as the latest antidepressants, but still readily available. Your doctor can prescribe the antidepressant that sedates, Trazodone (Desyrel) at lower doses to treat anxiety or insomnia.

Nefazodone, also referred to as Ferdinand (Cymbalta), and duloxetine can also be beneficial. These drugs are also available in generic form. If they don't work, your doctor may try the antipsychotics quetiapine and olanzapine or the sedating antidepressant Mirtazapine.

Other medications for anxiety disorders include beta blockers, which reduce the blood pressure and heart rate by blocking the action of adrenaline. These medications aren't typically used to treat anxiety alone however they can be effective when coupled with psychotherapy.

Psychotherapy can help you to alter negative thoughts and behaviors that contribute towards your anxiety. It can help you learn to manage your anxiety and develop coping skills. Depending on the severity of your situation exposure therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy might be recommended. Cognitive behavioural therapy helps you learn to challenge unhelpful thoughts, fearful thoughts and to overcome the fear of situations that trigger anxiety. Exposure therapy is the process of increasing the level of anxiety-inducing situations until they are manageable. It can be performed in a group or on your own. In both cases, results can take a while to show. A combination of medications and psychological therapy is the best choice for certain people. Some people find that meds alone are enough to manage their symptoms. Inform your doctor about how to treat anxiety disorder without medication you manage your symptoms.

Other Medicines

Other drugs can also help relieve your symptoms. Beta blockers, antihistamines, and buspirone are all sometimes prescribed to ease anxiety.

These medications can help reduce your symptoms, by reducing or blocking signals that cause stress and fear. But, they're not the only solution. You'll still require a variety of methods to reduce anxiety, including physical exercise relaxation techniques, relaxation techniques and psychological therapy.

Your doctor could initially prescribe one of the "first choice" anxiety medications, which include SSRIs and SNRIs. According to research, these drugs are the most effective for treating anxiety disorders. SSRIs are commonly found in sertraline (Zoloft) as well as Citropram, fluoxetine, and escitalopram. These medications might have mild adverse effects, like insomnia or nausea, but they typically subside within 4-8 weeks. They are not addictive, and they do not increase the likelihood of suicidal thoughts.

The benzodiazepines alprazolam (Xanax) and clonazepam (Klonopin) and diazepoxide (Valium) provide immediate relief for panic attacks and anxiety However, they can cause adverse effects, such as dizziness, drowsiness, memory and coordination issues, and dependence. These drugs are less popular than older barbiturates but are equally effective.

Antihistamines, such as Vistaril (hydroxyzine) are designed to help with allergies, but they're also sometimes used to reduce anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine can have a calming affect by blocking histamine receptors. It's not a controlled substance which means it doesn't carry the same dangers of addiction as benzodiazepines.

Anticonvulsants are an additional kind of medication that can aid in reducing anxiety. They have been shown to reduce anxiety through inhibiting the production of and release of dopamine as well as sérotonin. They can be prescribed in conjunction with other medications or as a short-term treatment for anxiety. Your doctor will review your medical history and symptoms to determine if these medications are suitable for you. They will also discuss the length of time you'll need to take these medications as well as any possible negative side effects that might occur. Anxiety medication is only available on prescription, which means that a psychiatrist will be required to prescribe it.