Anxiety Treatment Medications
People with anxiety disorders often 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 also help treat anxiety. SSRIs such as fluoxetine and citalopram are effective in preventing nerve cells in the brain from reabsorbing serotonin. This chemical influences mood.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines (benzos) are powerful drugs that treat anxiety very well, and they work very quickly. They can also be physically addictive and pose serious safety risks if used for a long time. They should only be taken under the supervision of a physician. They can be used as a "as-needed" treatment for panic attacks as well as other severe anxiety episodes. Benzos are often employed in conjunction with other medicines such as antidepressants or psychotherapy (talk therapy) as part of a comprehensive treatment plan for anxiety disorders.
Benzos can be very effective in managing anxiety for a short period of time, and also aid in sleeping well. However they can be harmful when abused, and they are not recommended for use with some other drugs. When mixed with sedative substances like alcohol or opioid pain medications, benzodiazepines may increase the risk of overdose and even death. They can also interact with antidepressants, causing serious and life-threatening withdrawal symptoms.
If prescribed by your physician If prescribed by your doctor, benzodiazepines are efficient and safe for treating anxiety disorders. However, many doctors are cautious about taking them because they are addictive and can cause negative side effects like memory loss. Long-term use of these drugs can cause severe withdrawal symptoms and those who develop dependence are usually unable to quit using them without experiencing severe side effects like seizures and depression. The main thing to remember about long-term use of benzos is to use them only to patients who might benefit from them, and use them in situations where they are likely to ameliorate anxiety symptoms; avoid long-term use or abrupt discontinuation; reduce the chance of abuse, particularly among children; and pair them with effective psychological interventions.
Anxiety medications like benzodiazepines can alleviate anxiety. They accomplish this by blocking certain nerve signals and preventing their brains from firing. These drugs can help you sleep better and feel less anxious, but they won't solve the root issue that's causing you feel anxious (like increasing costs or a relationship that isn't working).
Meditation, exercise yoga, and meditation are all natural ways to reduce anxiety. Other treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy, where you learn to challenge irrational fears and anxiety.
Antidepressants
SSRIs, or selective serotonin receptor inhibitors, are a great choice for anxiety, because they work with the brain to manage mood. It can take up to four weeks for them to begin working. If someone doesn't feel better in the time frame, they should talk to their doctor about changing their medications.
Antidepressants like mirtazapine or nefazodone can be effective in treating anxiety. They can work faster than older medications like venlafaxine XR. It's important to remember that these drugs can cause severe reactions in certain people. If you experience this reaction, call healthdirect at 1800 022222 to speak to a registered nurse.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors, also known as MAOIs, are another kind of antidepressant that can be used for anxiety. They block enzymes that break down chemicals in the brain into noradrenaline. This allows levels of these chemicals, which have a an impact positive on mood, to rise. MAOIs are generally reserved for those who do not respond to other kinds of antidepressants, however, they can be effective in treating anxiety.
Tricyclic antidepressants are among the most effective antidepressants that treat anxiety. These drugs help with mental and anxiety disorders in a way similar as SSRIs however, with fewer negative side effects. They begin at a low dose, and their effectiveness increases as the dosage increases. Tricyclics are effective for treating anxiety, panic disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder but they are less likely to treat generalized anxiety disorder.
A newer antidepressant, buspirone is also used to treat anxiety. It acts as a mild tranquilizer but it doesn't have the same side effects as benzodiazepines. It doesn't affect the ability to concentrate and memory. It works by increasing the serotonin levels in the brain and reducing dopamine. As high as 70% of those who try the drug will find it effective. The side effects tend to decrease when the medication is used for longer durations. Talk therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure therapy, can be used alongside these medications to increase the effectiveness.
Buspirone
Buspirone is used to treat anxiety disorders. It is taken orally, usually twice daily. It's not a controlled drug however, there is the potential for abuse.
Doctors aren't sure exactly how it is working, but they believe that buspirone decreases the amount and action of a chemical known as serotonin in specific parts of the brain. This makes the nervous systems less sensitive to stress and anxiety.
Buspirone is generally considered safe by doctors for the vast majority of people. pediatric anxiety treatment 's generally regarded as having a lower degree of toxicity and a smaller risk for addiction than barbiturates or benzodiazepines. Like other medications, it may cause side effects. Most common are dizziness and nausea. Buspirone can interact with other medications, supplements, and ingredients. Tell your doctor if you take any of these prior to beginning the drug.
Your doctor may recommend a lower dose if you are over 65. This is due to the fact that older people tend to react differently to drugs than younger people. This is especially true for drugs that affect the nervous system.
Inform your doctor if any of these drugs are being taken by you. This includes isocarboxazid selegiline, phenelzine, linezolid, Emsam, Zelapar, and tranylcypromine. Buspirone can cause serious side effects by increasing the dosage of these drugs.
You should also let your doctor know if you have liver disease, kidney disease or stomach problems or are breastfeeding or pregnant. Certain medications, like SSRIs, may not be suitable for you under these situations.
If buspirone isn't working, or you can't take it because of a medical condition or interaction with a different medication, your doctor will prescribe an alternative method of treatment for anxiety. This could be a different kind of antidepressant, like Lexapro or Prozac or beta blockers such as propranolol or a benzodiazepine drug, like Xanax. The PIL will give more details about the best way to make use of the drug as well as possible adverse effects.
Other Medicines
In addition to medication, there are other options to help alleviate anxiety. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is one of the options. Psychotherapy can help you change the way you think about anxiety and teach you strategies for coping to manage it. Other options include learning relaxation techniques and maintaining a regular workout routine, and avoiding alcohol and drugs. Some people get relief from anxiety-related symptoms by taking herbal medication. If you try these alternatives but they don't work, talk to your doctor.
Medications used as an anxiety treatment generally fall into two broad categories: benzodiazepines and antidepressants. Benzodiazepines, like Ativan (lorazepam), enhance the function of gamma-aminobutyric acids, or GABA which is found in your brain to help promote tranquility. They can bring relief quickly however they can become addictive when used long-term. Antidepressants take longer to work but balance the levels of certain chemicals in your brain, referred to as neurotransmitters, that influence your mood.
SSRIs are the most commonly used antidepressants used to treat anxiety. They boost the amount of serotonin, the chemical messenger in your brain, which can boost your mood and make you feel less anxious. Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are another antidepressant that prevents the reabsorption both of serotonin as well as norepinephrine out of your brain. This increases levels of these chemicals in your body, which makes you feel more energized. A third antidepressant class, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, or MAOIs, can be used to treat anxiety in those who don't respond to SSRIs.
There are a myriad of other medications frequently used to treat anxiety disorders, 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 is a very effective anxiety treatment, it shouldn't be the only option you choose to use. Non-drug treatments can be more effective if you have an underlying cause of your anxiety such as eating disorders, debt or a bad relationship. Other options include cognitive-behavioral therapy, or biofeedback, which helps you to manage your brain waves using a monitoring device and mindfulness meditation, a form of meditation that focuses on the present moment.