Anxiety Treatment Medications
People with anxiety disorders often recover with psychotherapy and medication. Benzodiazepines such as Xanax, Klonopin, and Valium are used to help with anxiety.
Antidepressants can also be used to combat anxiety. SSRIs like citalopram and fluoxetine work by preventing nerve cells in the mind from reabsorbing serotonin. This chemical influences mood.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines (benzos) are powerful medications that treat anxiety very well, and they work very quickly. However, they also can be physically addictive, and they pose significant safety risks when used over long durations. They should only be used under the supervision of a medical professional. They can be used as an "as-needed" treatment for panic attacks as well as other anxiety disorders that are severe. Benzos can be used in conjunction with antidepressants, psychotherapy and other medicines to treat anxiety disorders.
Benzos are extremely effective in treating anxiety for a brief time, and they help you sleep well. However they are also dangerous when abused, and they are not recommended to be used in conjunction with other drugs. When benzodiazepines are mixed with sedatives like alcohol and opioid pain medications the risk of death or overdose increases. They can also interfere negatively with certain antidepressants, causing severe withdrawal symptoms.
When prescribed by your doctor, benzodiazepines can be effective and safe when treating anxiety disorders. However, a lot of doctors are cautious when it comes to using them due to the fact that they can be addictive and cause negative side effects, such as memory loss. Long-term use of these drugs can cause severe withdrawal symptoms, and those who develop dependence are often unable quit using them without experiencing severe side effects like depression and seizures. The most important aspect to long-term benzo usage is prescribing them only to those who might benefit from their use, making use of them in settings that are likely to improve anxiety symptoms, and avoiding prolonged use or abrupt withdrawal and reducing the risk of abuse and using them in conjunction with effective psychological intervention.
Anxiety medications, including benzodiazepines can help alleviate anxiety by blocking certain nerve signals and stopping them from being activated in the brain. These medications can help you sleep more comfortably and feel less stressed however they aren't going to solve the root cause of what makes you feel anxious (like increasing bills or a strained relationship).
Meditation, exercise yoga, and meditation are all natural methods to decrease anxiety. Other treatments include cognitive behavior therapy, where you learn to challenge irrational fears and anxiety.
Antidepressants
SSRIs, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, are a great choice for anxiety, because they work with the brain to control mood. It could take up to four weeks for them to start working. If the patient does not feel better after this time, they should speak to their doctor about changing medications.
Antidepressants like mirtazapine or nefazodone can be effective in treating anxiety. They may be more effective than older drugs such as venlafaxine XR. However it is important to remember that these drugs can trigger an extreme reaction in certain individuals. If they have this reaction you should seek immediate medical attention or call healthdirect at 1800 022 222 to speak with a registered nurse (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria).
MAOIs are an additional type of antidepressant that can be used to treat anxiety. They block enzymes that break chemical in the brain to noradrenaline, among others. This allows the levels of these chemicals to rise and have a positive impact on mood. MAOIs are usually reserved for those who do not respond well to other antidepressants. However, they can be very effective in treating anxiety.
Tricyclic antidepressants are among the most effective antidepressants for treating anxiety. These medications help with mental and anxiety disorders in a way similar to SSRIs however, with fewer side-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 in treating generalized anxiety disorder.
Buspirone, a newer antidepressant is also used for anxiety. It is a mild tranquilizer, but it doesn't cause the same adverse effects as benzodiazepines. It also doesn't hinder the ability to concentrate and memory. It works by increasing serotonin levels in the brain and decreasing dopamine. The drug is effective for up to 70 per cent of those who try it. As the medication is taken longer, side effects tend to diminish. Talk therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure therapy, can be used alongside these medications to increase the effectiveness.
Buspirone
Buspirone is a medication used to treat anxiety disorders. It is taken orally typically twice daily. It's not a controlled drug, but it does have the potential to be abused.
Doctors aren't certain of the exact way buspirone works, but believe that it reduces the amount of serotonin as well as its actions in certain regions of the brain. This makes the nervous system less prone to anxiety and stress.
In general, doctors consider buspirone as a drug that is safe for most people. It is generally believed to have a lower level of toxicity and a lower chance of becoming addicted than barbiturates and benzodiazepines. However, as with other medications there are adverse reactions. Most common are dizziness and nausea. It's important to tell your doctor about all the medicines, supplements and other ingredients you're taking before starting buspirone, since it can interact with them.
Your doctor might prescribe the dose you need to take if are over 65. This is because older people tend to react to drugs differently than younger individuals do. This is especially true for drugs that affect the nervous system.
Tell your doctor if any of these drugs are taken by you. These include isocarboxazid linezolid, phenelzine, selegiline, Emsam, Zelapar, and tranylcypromine. Buspirone can cause serious side effects due to increasing the dosage of these drugs.
You should also inform your doctor know if suffer from kidney disease, liver problems or stomach disorders or are breastfeeding or pregnant. Some medicines, such as SSRIs are not suitable for you in these situations.
Your doctor may prescribe an alternative treatment when buspirone fails to work or in the event that you are unable to take it due to a medical condition, or because of an interaction with a different drug. It could be a different type of antidepressant such as Lexapro or Prozac; beta blockers, such as propranolol; or a benzodiazepine like Xanax. The PIL for each drug will provide additional information on how to take it as well as possible side effects.
Other Medications
In addition to medications There are other methods that can alleviate anxiety. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, is one option. Psychotherapy can teach you how to manage anxiety and change your way of thinking. Other options include learning relaxation techniques, a regular exercise routine, and avoiding drinking and using drugs. Some people find relief from anxiety-related symptoms by taking herbal medications. If anxiety treatment try these alternatives and they aren't working consult your physician.
Antidepressants and benzodiazepines are two main types of drugs used to treat anxiety. Benzodiazepines like Ativan or lorazepam enhance the activity of GABA in your brain, promoting peace. They can provide quick relief, but they can also become addictive if used long-term. Antidepressants take longer to work but they can balance the levels of certain chemicals in your brain, known as neurotransmitters, which affect your mood.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors(SSRIs), or SSRIs are the most common kind of antidepressant used to treat anxiety. They boost the levels of the chemical messenger serotonin in your brain, which may improve your mood and make you feel less stressed. Another class of antidepressants, serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors or SNRIs, prevent the reabsorption process of both serotonin and norepinephrine in your brain, thereby increasing levels of these chemicals, making you feel more energetic. A third class of antidepressants called monoamine oxidase inhibitors or MAOIs, is sometimes used to treat anxiety in people who aren't responding to SSRIs.
There are a myriad of other medications often used to treat anxiety, including azapirones (such as buspirone) alpha- and beta-blockers, antihistamines (such as hydroxyzine), and clonidine. The majority of these have a lower success rate than SSRIs and benzodiazepines.
Although medication is a very effective treatment for anxiety, it shouldn't be the only treatment you use. Alternative treatments are more effective if there is an underlying cause of your anxiety like eating disorders, debt or a relationship that is unhealthy. Other options include cognitive behavioral therapy, also known as biofeedback, which teaches you to manage your own brain waves using a monitoring device; and mindfulness meditation, a type of meditation that focuses on the present moment.