Medications to Treat Anxiety

Therapy is the best way to treat anxiety, but sometimes a short-term course of medication may be necessary. The medications used to treat anxiety include tranquilizers and antidepressants.

SSRI antidepressants like citalopram escitalopram, and sertraline can reduce anxiety. SNRIs, which target the chemicals serotonin and norepinephrine can also be effective.

SSRIs

SSRIs are typically the first prescription medication recommended by doctors to treat anxiety disorders. They prevent nerve cell serotonin re-absorption in the brain, a chemical that is important for mood regulation. It takes some time for the medications to take effect, but people usually start feeling better after 4 to 6 weeks. SSRIs are non-habit-forming and do not cause addiction, so they can be taken for longer periods of time.

Another type of antidepressant, SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), also treats depression and anxiety. Examples of SNRIs are citalopram (Celexa), Escitalopram (Lexapro) as well as the fluoxetine (Prozac) and paroxetine (Paxil) and sertraline (Zoloft). Tricyclic antidepressants such as imipramine (Tofranil) and doxepine and an Anxiety Disorder stimulant are also used to treat anxiety and depression. Mirtazapine, an antidepressant that is novel is sometimes used to treat anxiety disorders.

Doctors aren't sure how SSRIs or SNRIs function but they do know that they boost the activity of certain chemical messengers called neurotransmitters within the brain. They stop the brain from reabsorbing chemicals and permit these chemicals to bind with 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 with bulimia, however it is not as common.

Atypical antipsychotics can be prescribed to those suffering from anxiety who do not respond to SSRIs. Examples include quetiapine (Abilify) and aripiprazole (Risperdal). These medications reduce anxiety in people who have obsessive compulsive disorder. They are often given together with an antidepressant, and they have a lower risk for serious side effects compared to other antipsychotics.

Medications called beta-blockers can also be used to reduce weak legs anxiety treatment and are commonly prescribed for heart ailments. Examples are propranolol (Inderal) and atenolol (Tenormin). They can reduce physical symptoms of anxiety treatment without drugs for people with social anxiety disorder. They can help in reducing anxiety, particularly before or after surgery. Benzodiazepines, such as lorazepam or Ativan (Ativan), can be used when other medications aren't working. However, benzodiazepines are habit-forming and can lead to addiction.

SNRIs

SNRIs are a different kind of antidepressant medications often prescribed to combat anxiety. They work in a similar way similar to SSRIs however they also boost the amount of norepinephrine and serotonin. In turn, they are often more effective at treating specific types of anxiety disorders, including social anxiety disorder and panic disorder. Similar to other medications, they are most effective when they are combined with talking therapy and other treatment strategies.

In contrast to the benzodiazepines, SNRIs don't cause addiction or dependence for the majority of people. Some patients may experience withdrawal symptoms when stopping a medication following long-term use. It is essential to speak with your doctor before discontinuing any medication.

Neurotransmitters such serotonin as well as norepinephrine are responsible for regulating mood and stress. They play an important part in the fight or flight response that a lot of sufferers of anxiety feel. By blocking the reuptake process, SNRIs stop vagus nerve anxiety treatment cells from absorption of these neurotransmitters in a rapid manner. They help keep these chemicals in the body for longer periods of time and can improve mood, reduce anxiety, and even help with anxiety attacks.

Norepinephrine is also crucial for anxiety because it activates the amygdala, which is a deep and fundamental part of the brain associated with fear-related behavior. SNRIs decrease the activity in this region of the brain. This can boost mood, anxiety and alleviate panic attacks.

These medications are very helpful however, they may increase suicidal behavior in certain people. This is why they are often only prescribed in higher doses for a brief time. These medications can also interact with other drugs and substances. It is important to inform your doctor if you are taking any other prescriptions or over-the counter medication. Also keep them informed of any underlying conditions like heart issues and bleeding issues. Also, be aware that some patients have reported adverse reactions to SNRIs, such as dry mouth and nausea.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines, or benzos as they are commonly called are drugs that act quickly and reduce anxiety and other anxiety-related symptoms, like insomnia and muscle tension. They can be beneficial for patients suffering from anxiety disorders, like panic disorder and social anxiety, especially if other treatments, such as SSRIs or psychotherapy (talk therapy) aren't working. They can also be used as a temporary solution until you can wait for your antidepressant medication to kick in. Medications such as diazepam (Valium) and lorazepam (Ativan) are the most popular benzos, however other benzos include Clonazepam (Rivotril) and temazepam (Restoril) and flurazepam (Dalmane).

Because they're fast-acting drugs, they generally start to work within 30 minutes. These meds To treat anxiety don't stay in the body for long, therefore they should be taken on a regular basis to reap the maximum benefits. Benzos should not be taken for long periods as they can cause physical dependence and addiction. Benzos are not recommended for those with depression or other anxiety disorders, as they can increase the risk of these problems.

People who take benzos for an extended time, often without medical supervision, could develop a condition called sedative-use disorder. It can cause addiction and withdrawal symptoms. This is a rare issue for those who take benzos on prescription. Misuse of benzos usually results from other causes like alcoholism or depression.

Utilizing benzodiazepines in the long-term may also lead to tolerance to their sedating effects. If you develop tolerance to the effects, you require more of the medication to have the same effect. This could lead to respiratory depression or even death. Even if you are taking benzodiazepines for a long duration, it is crucial to adhere to the prescription.

Other Medical Treatments

SSRIs and SNRIs will be the first drugs prescribed by doctors to treat anxiety. They affect serotonin which affects mood, appetite, and sleep. They can take a while to take effect, up to 12 weeks, and have some side effects like insomnia or nausea. SSRIs can also be used to treat mental disorders, such as panic disorder, depression, and obsessive compulsive disorder. Contrary to benzodiazepines, antidepressants do not cause physical dependence but they may trigger withdrawal symptoms if abruptly discontinued.

Medications in this class include sertraline (Zoloft) as well as fluoroquinol (Prozac) and citalopram (Celexa). They can be taken on their own or in combination with therapy. Antidepressants are prescribed by psychologists, psychiatrists or family physicians with special training in the management of medications.

Doctors may prescribe a class of monoamine-oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) as an antidepressant. These medications block the action of enzymes that break chemicals down, including serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. MAOIs can take up to four weeks to begin working, but they are not as fast-acting than SSRIs.

Clonidine is a different medication that can be used to manage anxiety. It is often used to treat anxiety, but it is also utilized to control blood pressure. Its effectiveness is limited by side effects like hypotension and sedation. Antihistamines, such as hydroxyzine, can be prescribed by medical professionals to help reduce anxiety and panic attacks. Certain patients might also experience a reduction in the effectiveness of benzodiazepines.

Anxiety is typically treated with a combination of psychotherapy, exercise and medication. A therapist who has a specialization in anxiety disorders is the most effective way to manage anxiety. They can assist you in working through the underlying causes of your anxiety and recommend ways to manage it without medication, in the event that it is necessary. Other options for treating anxiety that do not require medication include eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, mindfulness meditation and trauma-informed yoga. Speak to your therapist to determine the best option for you. Psychiatrists are trained to evaluate your symptoms and medical history and create a herbal treatment for anxiety plan that is suited to you. They will take into consideration your particular medical history and preferences when preparing this plan and make adjustments to it over time.