Anxiety Treatment Medications
Psychotherapy and medication can aid those suffering from anxiety disorders. Treatments for anxiety include benzodiazepines such as Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Valium (diazepam).
Antidepressants can also help with anxiety. SSRIs like citalopram (Celexa) and fluoxetine (Prozac) work by blocking brain nerve cells from reabsorbing serotonin, a chemical that affects mood.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines are powerful drugs to treat anxiety. They are effective and quick. They can also be physically addictive and pose serious safety risks if used for a long time. They should only be used under the supervision of a doctor. They can be used as a "as-needed" treatment for panic attacks as well as other anxiety-related episodes that are severe. Benzos can be used in combination with psychotherapy, antidepressants and other medications to treat anxiety disorders.
Benzos can be extremely effective in treating anxiety for a brief time, and they help you sleep well. However they are also dangerous when misused, and they are not suitable for use with some other medications. When mixed with sedative drugs like alcohol or pain medications, benzodiazepines may increase the risk of a fatal overdose and even death. They may also interfere negatively with certain antidepressants, causing severe withdrawal symptoms.
If prescribed by a doctor If prescribed by a physician, benzodiazepines can be safe and effective in treating anxiety disorders. Many doctors are cautious when prescribing them because they can lead to addiction and have adverse side effects, such as memory loss. Long-term use can trigger a severe withdrawal reaction and those who become dependent are frequently unable to stop taking them without experiencing serious symptoms such as seizures and depression. The key to long term benzo usage is prescribing them only to patients who could benefit from their use, and using them in clinical settings that will likely help improve anxiety symptoms, and avoiding prolonged use or abrupt withdrawal, minimizing the chance of abuse, and using them in conjunction with effective psychological interventions.
Anxiety medications, including benzodiazepines, can ease anxiety by blocking certain nerve signals and stopping them from firing in the brain. These drugs may help you sleep and feel less anxious, but they will not solve the underlying issue that causes you to worry.
Exercise, meditation yoga, and meditation are all natural methods to reduce anxiety. Other treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy, in which you learn to confront your irrational fears and worries.
Antidepressants
SSRIs which are also known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, are a great choice for anxiety, because they assist the brain to control mood. However, they could take four to six weeks or longer to start working. If someone isn't feeling better after that time, they should talk to their doctor about changing their medications.
The latest antidepressants, like mirtazapine and nefazodone are also effective in treating anxiety. They may be more effective when than older medications such as venlafaxine and XR. However it's important to keep in mind that these drugs can trigger severe reactions in some individuals. If they have this reaction, they should seek emergency medical attention or call healthdirect at 1800 022 222 to speak with a registered nurse (known as NURSE-ON CALL in Victoria).
Monoamine Oxase Inhibitors, also known as MAOIs, are another kind of antidepressant used for anxiety. They block the actions of enzymes that breakdown brain chemicals such as dopamine and noradrenaline. This allows the levels these chemicals to rise and have a positive impact on mood. MAOIs are generally reserved for patients who do not respond to other kinds of antidepressants, but they can be effective in treating anxiety.
Tricyclic antidepressants are amongst most effective antidepressants for treating anxiety. These medications are similar to SSRIs in how they treat anxiety and other mental disorders, but they are not as prone to side negative effects. They are effective in small doses, but their effectiveness increases with the increase in dosage. Tricyclics can be effective in treating anxiety, panic disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder but they are less likely to help with generalized anxiety disorder.
Buspirone, a newer antidepressant, is also used to combat anxiety. It is a mild tranquilizer that doesn't have the same negative side effects as benzodiazepines. It doesn't affect memory or coordination. It works by increasing serotonin levels in the brain, and reducing dopamine. The drug is effective for up to 70 per cent of people who take it. The adverse effects are likely to decrease as the medication is used for longer periods of time. Talk therapy, such as exposure therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy, can be incorporated with these medications to improve their effect.
Buspirone
Buspirone is a generic medicine used to treat anxiety disorders. It is taken orally, typically twice a day. It's not a controlled drug however, it has the potential to be abused.
Doctors aren't quite sure how it works, but they think that buspirone decreases the quantity and activities of a chemical known as serotonin in certain parts of the brain. This makes the nervous system less prone to stress and anxiety.
Buspirone is generally regarded as safe by doctors for the vast majority of people. It is generally believed to be less harmful and has a lower risk of addiction than benzodiazepines as well as barbiturates. However, as with other medications, it can cause adverse reactions. The most common side effects are dizziness and nausea. Buspirone may interact with other supplements, medications and other ingredients. Inform your doctor if taking any of these prior to starting the medication.
Your doctor may recommend a lower dose if you are over 65. This is due to the fact that older people tend to respond to drugs differently than younger individuals do. This is particularly true for drugs that affect your nervous system.
Tell your doctor whether any of these medications are taken by you. These include isocarboxazid, selegiline, phenelzine, linezolid, Emsam, Zelapar, and tranylcypromine. Buspirone can cause serious side effects by increasing the levels of these drugs.
It is also important to let your doctor know that you have liver disease, kidney illness, stomach issues or are breastfeeding or pregnant. In these situations, certain medicines, like SSRIs may not be appropriate for you.
If buspirone isn't effective or you're unable to take it because of an illness or interaction with other medications or other medication, your doctor will recommend an alternative treatment for anxiety. This could be a new kind of antidepressant, such as Lexapro or Prozac or beta blockers, like propranolol, or a benzodiazepine such as Xanax. The PIL for each drug will include more information about the best way to take it and possible adverse reactions.
Other Medical Treatments
There are other options that can reduce anxiety. Psychotherapy or talk therapy is an option. Psychotherapy can help you change the way you think about anxiety and teach you coping strategies to reduce it. Other options include learning relaxation techniques, a regular exercise routine, and avoiding alcohol and drugs. Herbal remedies can aid some people suffering from anxiety symptoms. If you try these options and they aren't working, talk to your doctor.
treatments for anxiety used as an anxiety treatment usually fall into two broad categories: antidepressants and benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines, such as Ativan or lorazepam enhance the activity of GABA in your brain, which increases calmness. They can help you feel better quickly, but they can also become addictive when used long-term. Antidepressants are slower to work, but they stabilize the levels in your brain of certain chemicals called neurotransmitters that affect your mood.
Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs are the most well-known kind of antidepressant used to treat anxiety. They boost the amount of serotonin, a chemical messenger in your brain. This can improve your mood or cause you to feel less anxious. Another class of antidepressants, serotonin norepinephrine-reuptake inhibitors or SNRIs, prevent the reabsorption of both serotonin and norepinephrine into your brain, thereby increasing levels of these chemicals and causing you to feel more energized. A third class of antidepressants known as monoamine oxide inhibitors, also known as MAOIs, are used to treat anxiety in those who aren't responding to SSRIs.
There are a number other medicines that can be used to combat anxiety. They include azapirones, beta- and alpha-blockers, Antihistamines, such as Clonidine and hydroxyzine. They have lower success rates than SSRIs and benzodiazepines.
While medication is an effective treatment for anxiety, it shouldn't always be employed. Alternative treatments are more effective if you have an underlying cause for your anxiety, such as eating disorders, debt or a relationship that is unhealthy. Other options include cognitive behavioral therapy, also known as biofeedback, which helps you to manage your own brain waves with a monitoring device and mindfulness meditation, which is a form of meditation that focuses on the present moment.