Anxiety Treatment Medications
Psychotherapy and medication can aid people suffering from anxiety disorders. Benzodiazepines such as Xanax, Klonopin, and Valium are used to treat anxiety.
Antidepressants also help treat anxiety. SSRIs such as fluoxetine and citalopram work by preventing neurons in the brain from absorbing serotonin. This chemical influences mood.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines are potent medications to treat anxiety. They work quickly. However, they also are physically addictive and pose serious risks to safety when used over long durations. They should only be taken under the supervision of a medical professional. They are useful as an "as required" treatment for panic attacks and other severe anxiety attacks. 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 short time, and they help you sleep well. They can be dangerous when misused and are not recommended for use with other medications. When mixed with sedative substances such as alcohol or opioid pain medications, benzodiazepines may increase the risk of overdose and death. They may also interact with antidepressants, causing serious and life-threatening withdrawal symptoms.
If prescribed by your physician, benzodiazepines can be efficient and safe for treating anxiety disorders. However, many doctors are cautious when it comes to using them due to the fact that they are addictive and can cause negative side effects, such as memory loss. Long-term use of these drugs can trigger severe withdrawal symptoms and those who develop dependence are usually unable to stop taking them without experiencing serious side effects, such as depression and seizures. The main thing to remember about long-term use of benzos is to prescribe them only to patients who could benefit from them; use them in clinical situations that are likely to alleviate anxiety symptoms; avoid long-term use or abrupt discontinuation; minimize the chance of abuse, particularly by children; and pair them with effective psychological interventions.
Anxiety medications, like benzodiazepines can help ease anxiety by blocking certain nerve signals and preventing them from being activated in the brain. These drugs can aid in sleeping better and feel less anxious, but they won't solve the underlying problem that's making you feel anxious (like the rising cost of costs or a relationship that isn't working).
Exercise, meditation, and yoga are all natural methods to lessen anxiety. Cognitive behavioral therapy is another treatment. You learn to conquer irrational worries and fears.
Antidepressants
SSRIs which are also known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, are a good option for anxiety, because they help the brain control mood. It could take up four weeks for them to start working. If the patient does not feel better after this period, they should speak to their doctor about changing medications.
Newer antidepressants like mirtazapine and nefazodone, are also effective in treating anxiety. They may be more effective than older medications such as venlafaxine or XR. However it's important to keep in mind that these medications can cause an extreme reaction in certain individuals. If they experience this reaction, they should seek emergency medical attention or contact healthdirect at 1800 022 222 to speak to an experienced nurse (known as NURSE-ON-CALL Victoria).
MAOIs are a different kind of antidepressant that is used to treat anxiety. They block enzymes that break chemicals in the brain to noradrenaline, among others. This allows the levels of these chemicals to rise which has a positive effect on mood. MAOIs are typically reserved for patients who do not respond well to other antidepressants. However, they can be very effective in treating anxiety.
The most effective antidepressants for anxiety are the tricyclic antidepressants. These medications help with mental and anxiety disorders in a similar way as SSRIs but with less adverse effects. These medicines start at a lower dose and their effectiveness increases as the dose is increased. Tricyclics are effective for treating panic disorder, anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder, however, they are not likely to treat generalized anxiety disorder.
Buspirone, a newer antidepressant is also used for anxiety. It is a mild tranquilizer, but does not cause the same negative side effects as benzodiazepines. It does not affect coordination or memory. It is a way of increasing serotonin levels in the brain, and reducing dopamine. The drug is effective for up to 70% of people who take it. The adverse effects are likely to decrease when the medication is used for longer periods of time. Talk therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or exposure therapy, can be used alongside these medications to improve the effect.
Buspirone
Buspirone is a medication used to treat anxiety disorders. It is taken orally, typically twice a day. It's not a controlled drug however it does have the potential to be abused.
Doctors aren't certain of the exact way buspirone works, but they believe that it reduces the levels of serotonin and its actions in specific areas of the brain. This makes the nervous systems less sensitive to anxiety and stress.
Buspirone is generally regarded as safe by doctors for the vast majority of people. It's generally regarded as having a lower degree of toxicity and a smaller risk of addiction than barbiturates and benzodiazepines. However, just like other drugs they can trigger side effects. The most common ones are nausea and dizziness. Buspirone can interact with other supplements, medications, and ingredients. Inform your doctor if you are taking any of these prior to starting the medication.
If you're older than 65, your doctor might give you buspirone in a lower dosage. This is because older individuals tend to react differently to drugs than younger ones. This is particularly true for drugs that affect your nervous system.
It's also important to tell your doctor if taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, like isocarboxazid (Marplan), linezolid (Zyvox) and phenelzine (Nardil) selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar) or tranylcypromine (Parnate). Buspirone can cause serious side effects by increasing the levels of these drugs.
Inform your doctor to consult your doctor if you have liver disease, kidney problems stomach issues, are breastfeeding or pregnant. Some medicines, such as SSRIs, may not be suitable for you under these circumstances.
Your doctor may suggest a different treatment option if buspirone doesn't work or if you are unable to take it due to a medical issue, or because of an interaction with another drug. It could be a brand new kind of antidepressant like Lexapro, Prozac, a beta-blocker such as propranolol, or a benzodiazepine such as Xanax. The PIL will give more details about the best way to take the drug and any possible adverse effects.
Other Medical Treatments
There are other options that can help reduce anxiety. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is one option. Psychotherapy can help you change the way you think about your anxiety and teach you strategies for coping to manage anxiety. Other options include learning relaxation skills and maintaining a regular workout routine, and staying away from drugs and alcohol. Some people experience relief from anxiety symptoms by taking herbal medicines. If these methods don't work, speak to your doctor.
The two main types of drugs used to combat anxiety. Benzodiazepines like Ativan or lorazepam boost the activity of GABA in your brain, promoting tranquility. They can bring relief quickly but they also become addictive when used long-term. Antidepressants require longer time to work but balance the levels of certain chemicals in your brain, referred to as neurotransmitters, which affect your mood.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs are the most well-known type of antidepressant that is used to treat anxiety. They increase the amount of serotonin, a chemical signalling agent in your brain. This can improve your mood or reduce anxiety. Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are a different antidepressant that blocks the reabsorption both of serotonin as well as norepinephrine from the brain. This raises levels of these chemicals in your body and makes you feel more energetic. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are another antidepressant class that is sometimes used by those who do not respond to SSRIs to treat anxiety.
There are also a number of other medicines that are often used to treat anxiety, such as azapirones (such as buspirone) beta- and alpha-blockers, antihistamines (such as hydroxyzine) and clonidine. These medications have a lower chance of success than SSRIs or benzodiazepines.
While medication is an effective anxiety treatment but it shouldn't be the sole treatment you employ. Non-pharmacological treatments can be more effective if there is an underlying reason for your anxiety such as debt, poor diet or a relationship that is unhealthy. Other options include cognitive behavior therapy, also known as biofeedback, which helps you to control your own brain waves by using a monitor device and mindfulness meditation, which is a kind of meditation that is focused on the present moment.