For Whom Is Meds To Treat Anxiety And Why You Should Care

Medications to Treat Anxiety

Therapy is the most effective treatment for anxiety, sometimes a short course of medication is necessary. The medications used to treat anxiety include antidepressants and tranquilizers.

SSRI antidepressants such as citalopram (Celexa), the escitalopram (Lexapro) and sertraline (Zoloft) enhance communication between nerve cells within the brain and can reduce anxiety. SNRIs, that target the chemicals serotonin and norepinephrine, can also be effective.

SSRIs

SSRIs are typically the first medications prescribed by doctors to treat anxiety disorders. They stop nerve cells from serotonin re-absorption in the brain, a chemical which is essential for regulating mood. The drugs take time to begin working, but most people experience improvement within four to six weeks. SSRIs aren't habit-forming and will not cause addiction, which means they can be used for long durations of time.

Another type of antidepressant, SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), also treats depression and anxiety. The SNRIs include citalopram, escitalopram and fluoxetine (Prozac), paraxetine (Paxil) and sertraline. Tricyclic antidepressants such as imipramine (Tofranil) and doxepine and an anxiety Disorder stimulant are also used to treat anxiety without medication depression and anxiety. Mirtazapine is a new antidepressant is sometimes used to treat anxiety disorders.

Doctors do not know the function of SNRIs and SSRIs, but they know that they boost the activity of certain chemical messengers called neurotransmitters in the brain. They stop the brain from reabsorbing these chemicals, and permit them to bind with their receptors.

SSRIs are used to treat generalized anxiety disorder, GAD; obsessive-compulsive disorder, OCD; panic disorder/agoraphobia; and posttraumatic stress disorder, PTSD. They can also aid in Bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder, but it is not as common.

People suffering from anxiety who do not respond to SSRIs may be prescribed an antipsychotic atypical medication. Examples include quetiapine, (Abilify), and aripiprazole (Risperdal). These medications ease anxiety for people suffering from obsessive compulsive disorders. They are usually prescribed together with an antidepressant. they are less prone for serious side effects when compared to other antipsychotics.

Beta-blockers are also prescribed to treat anxiety and heart conditions. Propranolol and Atenolol are two examples. They can help reduce the physical symptoms of anxiety, specifically for those suffering from social anxiety disorder. They can also aid in reducing anxiety before or after surgery and for certain chronic pain conditions. Benzodiazepines such as lorazepam (Ativan) can be used to control symptoms when other medications aren't working. They can be addictive and can be habit-forming.

SNRIs

SNRIs are a different type of antidepressant medications often prescribed to treat anxiety. They work similarly to SSRIs however, they increase the availability of serotonin and norepinephrine within the brain. As a result, they are typically more effective in treating certain kinds of anxiety disorders, including panic disorder and social anxiety disorder. Like other medications, they work best when they are combined with therapy for talk and other treatment strategies.

Unlike benzodiazepines SNRIs don't cause dependence or addiction for the majority of people. However, some patients might feel withdrawal symptoms when stopping the medication after a lengthy duration of use. It is essential to speak with your physician prior to discontinuing any medication.

Serotonin and norepinephrine, two neurotransmitters, are responsible for mood and stress responses. They play an important role in the fight or flight response that a lot of sufferers of anxiety experience. SNRIs prevent nerve cells from quickly mopping up these neurotransmitters by blocking the process of reuptake. They keep these chemicals in the body for longer and can improve mood, reduce anxiety, and even help with panic attacks.

Norepinephrine also plays a role in anxiety, since it stimulates the Amygdala. This is a very deep and primitive brain region that is linked to anxiety-related behavior. SNRIs can reduce activity in this region of the brain. This can boost mood, anxiety and reduce panic attacks.

These medicines are extremely helpful, but they can also increase suicidal behavior in certain people. Due to this, they're usually prescribed in higher dosages and for a shorter time. These medications can also interact with other drugs and substances. You should 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 disorders. Be aware that some patients experience adverse reactions to SNRIs such as dry mouth and nausea.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines -- or benzos, as they're often called are fast-acting drugs that reduce anxiety and anxiety-related symptoms like muscle tension and insomnia. Some people with anxiety disorders such as social anxiety or panic disorder may find them useful, especially if they have not had success with other treatments, such as SSRIs and psychotherapy. They can also be helpful as a temporary solution, for example, while you wait for an antidepressant to start working. Medications such as diazepam (Valium) and lorazepam (Ativan) are the most commonly used benzos, but other benzos include Clonazepam (Rivotril) as well as temazepam (Restoril) and flurazepam (Dalmane).

Because they're fast-acting, they typically begin to work within 30 minutes. They don't last for very long in the body, which is why you should take them on a regular basis to get the benefits. Utilizing benzos for prolonged durations of time can cause addiction and physical dependence therefore they should only be used for the most brief period of time. Benzos are not recommended by those suffering from depression or anxiety disorders as they may increase the risk.

People who take benzos for a long period of duration, often without medical supervision, could develop a condition referred to as sedative-use disorders, which can include addiction and withdrawal symptoms. It is uncommon for people who are prescribed benzos to develop this disorder however. Misuse of benzos usually results from other factors, such as alcoholism and depression.

Tolerence to benzodiazepines could develop if they are taken for a long time. As you get used to them of the effects, you need to take more of the medication to produce the same effect. In some cases this could lead to respiratory depression, coma, and death. It is crucial to take benzodiazepines in the prescribed dosage for long-term basis.

Other Medical Treatments

SSRIs and SNRIs are the primary medications doctors will typically prescribe to treat anxiety. They alter serotonin which affects mood as well as appetite and sleep. It can take up to 12 weeks to start working and may have adverse effects, such as insomnia or nausea. SSRIs can also be used to treat mental disorders like depression, panic disorder, and obsessive compulsive disorder. In contrast to benzodiazepines they don't cause physical dependence but they can trigger withdrawal symptoms if abruptly stopped.

Sertraline (Zoloft), Prozac (Prozac), and Celexa (Citalopram) are all medications in this class. They can be taken on their own or in conjunction with therapy. Antidepressants are prescribed by psychiatrists, psychologists or family doctors with specialized expertise in the field of medication management.

Doctors may prescribe a class of monoamine-oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) as an antidepressant. They block the actions of enzymes that break chemical down, such as serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. MAOIs can take as long as four weeks before they begin to work, but they are not as fast-acting than SSRIs.

Another medication to manage anxiety is clonidine, which is used to lower blood pressure, but has limited effectiveness in treating anxiety. Its effectiveness is limited by negative effects such as hypotension and sedation. Doctors may prescribe antihistamines like hydroxyzine, to ease symptoms of panic attacks and anxiety. They can also reduce the effectiveness of benzodiazepines for certain patients.

Anxiety is typically treated by the combination of medication, psychotherapy and exercise. A therapist who has a specialization in anxiety disorders is the most effective method to treat anxiety. They can assist you in working through the root causes of anxiety and suggest strategies to manage it without medication, if needed. Other treatment options for anxiety that are not medications include eye movement desensitization, mindfulness meditation, reprocessing and yoga based on trauma. Talk to your therapist about what options are the best for you. Psychologists are trained to assess your symptoms and medical history and formulate a treatment plan that works for you. When preparing the plan, they will consider your diagnosis, lifestyle, medical background, and personal preferences. They may also make adjustments over time.