Anxiety Treatment Medications
Psychotherapy and medication can aid people suffering from anxiety disorders. Treatments for anxiety include benzodiazepines such as Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Valium (diazepam).
Antidepressants can also treat anxiety. SSRIs like citalopram and fluoxetine work by preventing nerve cells in the brain from absorbing serotonin. This chemical can affect mood.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines are powerful drugs for treating anxiety. They are effective and quick. However, they can be physically addictive and they have serious safety risks when used over long periods of time. They should only be taken under the supervision of a medical professional. They are an "as-needed" treatment for panic attacks as well as other severe anxiety episodes. Benzos can be utilized in conjunction with antidepressants, psychotherapy and other medications to treat anxiety disorders.
Benzos can be very effective in managing anxiety for a short duration, and they can help you sleep well. However they can be harmful when misused, and they are not recommended for use in conjunction with other drugs. When combined with sedatives like alcohol or opioid pain medications, benzodiazepines may increase the risk of overdose and even death. They may also interact with antidepressants, causing severe and life-threatening withdrawal symptoms.
When prescribed by a doctor, benzodiazepines are safe and effective at treating anxiety disorders. However, many doctors are cautious about using them, because they can be addictive and have negative side effects like memory loss. Long-term use of these drugs can cause severe withdrawal symptoms and those who become dependent are often unable quit using them without experiencing severe side effects such as depression and seizures. The most important aspect to long-term benzo usage is prescribing them only to patients who may benefit from their use, and using them in clinical settings that are likely improve anxiety symptoms, avoiding long-term use or abrupt withdrawal and minimizing the chance of abuse, and combing them with a psychological intervention.
Anxiety medications like benzodiazepines are a great way to alleviate anxiety. They accomplish this by blocking certain nerves signals and preventing their transmission to the brain. These drugs may aid in sleeping and feeling less anxious but they will not resolve the root cause that is making you worry.
There are some natural ways to ease your anxiety, like meditation, exercise and yoga. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a different treatment. You learn to overcome anxiety and worries that are not rational.
Antidepressants
SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are a great alternative for those suffering from anxiety as they affect the brain to control mood. It could take up four weeks before they begin working. If someone isn't feeling better after that time it is recommended to talk to their physician about changing medications.
Antidepressants like mirtazapine and nefazodone can be effective in treating anxiety. They may be more effective than older drugs like venlafaxine and XR. It is important to keep in mind that these drugs can cause severe reactions in some people. If you have this reaction, call healthdirect at 1800 022222 to speak to an experienced nurse.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors, or MAOIs, are a different kind of antidepressant used for anxiety. They block the actions of enzymes that degrade brain chemicals which include dopamine and noradrenaline. This causes the levels of these chemicals to increase, with a positive effect on mood. MAOIs are typically reserved for those who are not improving on other antidepressants however they can be very effective in treating anxiety.
The most effective antidepressants to treat anxiety are the tricyclic antidepressants. These medications help with mental and anxiety disorders in a way similar as SSRIs, but with fewer adverse effects. These medicines are effective at low doses, however their effectiveness increases with the increase in dosage. Tricyclics are effective in treating anxiety, panic disorders and obsessive compulsive disorder. However, they may not be as effective when treating generalized anxiety disorder.
A newer antidepressant, called buspirone, is also used to combat anxiety. It is a mild tranquilizer, but doesn't have the same adverse effects as benzodiazepines. It doesn't affect coordination or memory. It works by boosting the serotonin levels in the brain, and decreasing dopamine. The drug can be effective for up to 70% of those who try it. As the drug is taken for longer, the effects to decrease. Talk therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and/or exposure therapy, can be combined with these drugs to increase their effect.
Buspirone
Buspirone is a generic medication that is used to treat anxiety disorders. It is taken orally, typically every day, twice. It is not a controlled drug however there is a chance of abuse.
I Am Psychiatry aren't sure exactly how it operates, but they believe that buspirone can reduce the amount and actions of a chemical referred to as serotonin that is found in certain areas of the brain. This makes the nervous system less sensitive to anxiety and stress.
In general, doctors believe that buspirone is a safe drug for most people. It is generally considered to be less toxic and has a lower risk of addiction than benzodiazepines and barbiturates. Like other drugs they can cause adverse reactions. The most frequent ones are nausea and dizziness. It is important to inform your doctor about all the medications, supplements and ingredients that you are taking prior to starting buspirone because it could interact with them.
Your doctor may recommend a lower dose if you are over 65. This is because older people tend to respond to drugs differently than younger individuals do. This is especially true of drugs that affect the nervous system.
Inform your doctor if any of these drugs are taken by you. These include isocarboxazid selegiline, phenelzine, linezolid, Emsam, Zelapar, and tranylcypromine. Buspirone can increase levels of these drugs within your body, which can lead to serious side effects.
You should also inform your doctor know if have liver disease, kidney problems or stomach disorders or if you are breastfeeding or pregnant. In these cases, certain medicines, like SSRIs might not be appropriate for you.
If buspirone isn't working or you're unable to use it due to an illness or interaction with other medications, your doctor will prescribe an alternative method of treatment for your anxiety. This could be a new kind of antidepressant like Lexapro, Prozac, a beta-blocker like propranolol or a benzodiazepine, such as Xanax. The PIL will provide more information about how to take the drug and any possible adverse effects.
Other Medications
In addition to medications, there are other options to help ease anxiety. Psychotherapy or talk therapy is an option. Psychotherapy can help you learn how to cope with anxiety and change your ways of thinking. Other options include learning relaxation techniques, having a regular workout routine, and avoiding the use of alcohol and other drugs. Herbal medications can help some sufferers with anxiety-related symptoms. If you try these alternatives and they don't help talk to your doctor.
The two major categories of medication used to combat anxiety. Benzodiazepines like Ativan or lorazepam boost the activity of GABA in your brain, which increases calmness. They provide rapid relief but can become addictive if taken for long periods of time. Antidepressants take longer to work, but they stabilize the levels in your brain of specific neurotransmitters, chemicals that affect your mood.
SSRIs are the most popular antidepressants used to treat anxiety. They increase the amount serotonin, a chemical messenger in your brain. This can boost your mood and cause you to feel less anxious. Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are another antidepressant that prevents the reabsorption both of serotonin and norepinephrine out of your brain. This increases levels of these chemicals in your body, which makes you feel more energized. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are an additional class of antidepressants that is often used by people who don't respond to SSRIs to combat anxiety.
There are numerous other medications that can be used to combat anxiety. They include azapirones, beta- and Alpha-blockers Antihistamines, for instance Clonidine, hydroxyzine and. Most of these have a lower success rate than SSRIs and benzodiazepines.
Although medication can be an effective treatment for anxiety, it shouldn't be the only option to be used. Alternative treatments are more effective if there is an underlying cause for your anxiety, such as eating disorders, debt or a relationship that is unhealthy. Other options include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), biofeedback (which helps you to manage your brain's waves using a monitoring device), and mindfulness meditation.