Medications to Treat Anxiety
Therapy is the best way to manage anxiety, however sometimes, a short-term course of medication is required. The medications used to treat anxiety include tranquilizers and antidepressants.
SSRI antidepressants, such as citalopram (Celexa), Escitalopram (Lexapro) and sertraline (Zoloft), improve communication between nerve cells within the brain and can reduce anxiety. SNRIs that focus on the chemicals serotonin and norepinephrine may also be effective.
SSRIs
SSRIs are the first line of medication doctors prescribe to treat anxiety disorders. They stop nerve cells from serotonin re-absorption in the brain, a substance that is essential for regulating mood. The drugs take a while to work, but most people are better after 4 to 6 weeks. SSRIs are not habit-forming and do not cause addiction, which means they can be used for long periods of time.
Another type of antidepressant, SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), also treats depression and anxiety. The SNRIs include citalopram, the escitalopram and fluoxetine (Prozac) and paraxetine (Paxil), and sertraline. Tricyclic antidepressants like imipramine (Tofranil) and the doxepine (Anxiety Disorder Stimulant) also treat anxiety and depression. Novel antidepressants, such as mirtazapine (Remeron) are also used to treat anxiety disorders.
Doctors aren’t sure exactly how SSRIs and SNRIs work however, they do know that they enhance activity of certain chemical messengers in the brain, referred to as neurotransmitters. They prevent the brain from absorbing these chemicals and permit them to bind 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 may also be helpful for bulimia, though it is less common.
Atypical antipsychotic medications can be prescribed to those suffering from anxiety who don’t respond to SSRIs. Examples include quetiapine (Abilify), and aripiprazole, (Risperdal). These medications ease anxiety in people with obsessive-compulsive disorders. They are often given together with an antidepressant, and they are less likely for serious side effects compared to other types of antipsychotics.
Beta-blockers are also a class of medication that can be used to treat anxiety and are often prescribed for heart conditions. Propranolol and atenolol are two examples. They can reduce the physical symptoms of anxiety, particularly for people with social anxiety disorder. They can also aid in reducing anxiety prior to or after surgery and for some chronic pain conditions. The benzodiazepines, including lorazepam and Ativan (Ativan) are able to be used when other medications do not work. They can be addictive and habit-forming.
SNRIs
SNRIs are a different type of antidepressant medications that are often prescribed to combat anxiety. They function in a similar way similar to SSRIs but they also increase the quantity of norepinephrine as well as serotonin. In turn, they are often more effective in treating anxiety in bipolar disorder – yerliakor.com official website – specific types of anxiety disorders, such as panic disorder and social anxiety disorder. Like other medications, they work best treatment for health anxiety when used in conjunction with therapy for talk and other treatment strategies.
Unlike the benzodiazepines, SNRIs don’t create dependence or addiction in the majority of people. Some sufferers might experience withdrawal symptoms after discontinuing a medication after a prolonged period of use. It is crucial to talk with your doctor before discontinuing any medication.
Serotonin and norepinephrine are neurotransmitters that are responsible for stress and mood responses. They play a key role in the fight-or-flight reaction that a large portion of people suffering from anxiety experiences. By preventing the reuptake of, SNRIs block nerve cells from rapidly absorbing these neurotransmitters. In this way they hold these chemicals in the brain longer and as a result they have the potential to improve mood and reduce anxiety levels or aid in reducing symptoms of panic attacks.
Norepinephrine also plays a role in anxiety, since it triggers the Amygdala. This is a deep and primitive brain region that is linked to anxiety-related behavior. The SNRIs have been proven to decrease activity in this region of the brain, which can positively impact mood and anxiety, as well as alleviate panic attacks.
These drugs are extremely beneficial however, they may increase suicidal thinking in some people. This is why they are often only prescribed in higher doses for a short time. They can also interact with other medications and substances. It is important to inform your doctor if are taking any other prescriptions or over-the prescription medications. Also be sure to inform them of any underlying conditions such as heart issues and bleeding issues. Be aware that some patients experience adverse reactions to SNRIs such as nausea and a dry mouth.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines — or benzos commonly referred to as — are medications that act quickly that can help ease anxiety and anxiety-related symptoms such as insomnia and muscle tension. They can be helpful for patients suffering from anxiety disorders, such as social anxiety and panic disorder particularly when other treatments, like SSRIs or psychotherapy (talk therapy) aren’t working. They can be used as a temporary solution while you wait for your antidepressant medication to take effect. The Benzos include diazepam and lorazepam flurazepam, temazepam, and.
Because they’re fast-acting drugs, they generally begin to work within 30 minutes. These meds don’t stay in the body for very long, therefore they should be taken on a regular basis to reap the maximum benefits. Benzos should not be taken for prolonged periods of time as they can trigger physical dependence and addiction. Benzos should not be taken by people suffering from anxiety or depression as they may increase the risk.
People who take benzos for an extended period of time, without medical supervision and often without the direction of a doctor, can develop a condition called sedative-use disorders, which can include withdrawal symptoms and addiction. It is not common for those who are prescribed benzos to develop this problem, however. Instead, the misuse of benzos is usually the result of other causes such as alcohol abuse and depression.
Tolerance to benzodiazepines can also develop if they are taken for a long time. Tolerance means that you need more medication to achieve the same effects. In some cases, this can lead to respiratory depression, coma or death. It is crucial to take benzodiazepines as prescribed, even on a long-term basis.
Other Medications
SSRIs and SNRIs are among the first drugs doctors will usually prescribe for anxiety. They impact serotonin, which influences mood, appetite, and sleep. They can take a while to show results, up to 12 weeks, and have certain side effects, such as insomnia or nausea. SSRIs are also used to treat mental health disorders such as depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and panic disorder. Antidepressants, unlike benzodiazepines do not cause physical dependence. However, they could cause withdrawal symptoms if abruptly stopped.
Sertraline (Zoloft), Prozac (Prozac), and Celexa (Citalopram) are all drugs in this class. They can be taken on their own or in combination with therapy. Antidepressants are prescribed by a psychologist, psychiatrist or family physician with special training in medication management.
Doctors can also prescribe a class of antidepressants called monoamine oxidase inhibitors, or MAOIs. They block the actions of enzymes that break chemical into smaller pieces, such as serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. MAOIs can take as long as four weeks to start working however, they aren’t as fast-acting than SSRIs.
Clonidine is a different medication that can be used to manage anxiety. It is typically used to treat anxiety but it is also utilized to control blood pressure. Its effectiveness is limited by adverse effects like hypotension and sedation. Doctors may also prescribe antihistamines, such as hydroxyzine to help reduce the symptoms of panic attacks and anxiety. They can also reduce the effectiveness of benzodiazepines in certain patients.
Anxiety is often treated with the combination of psychotherapy, exercise and medication. The most effective method is to work with someone who is specialized in treating anxiety disorders. They can assist you in working through the underlying causes of anxiety and suggest strategies for managing it without medication, if needed. Other options for anxiety treatment that don’t require medication include eye movement desensitization mindfulness meditation, and Yoga that is trauma-informed. Talk with your therapist about what options are most suitable for you. Psychiatrists are trained to analyze your symptoms and medical history and create a treatment plan that is suitable for you. They will consider your individual medical history and preferences when preparing the plan and will make adjustments to it over time.