Anxiety Treatment Medications
People suffering from anxiety disorders typically recover through psychotherapy and medication. Medications used to treat anxiety include benzodiazepines, such as Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Valium (diazepam).
Antidepressants are also used to combat anxiety. SSRIs such as citalopram (Celexa) and fluoxetine (Prozac) work by blocking brain nerve cells from reabsorbing serotonin, a chemical that affects mood.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines (benzos) are powerful medicines that treat anxiety very well and can be used quickly. They can also be physically addictive and pose serious risks to your safety if you use them for prolonged periods. For this reason, they should always be prescribed and taken under the supervision of a physician. They are useful as an "as needed" treatment for panic attacks or other extreme anxiety episodes. Benzos are often employed together with other medications, such as antidepressants and psychotherapy (talk therapy), as part of an overall anxiety disorder treatment plan.
Benzos can be very effective in treating anxiety for a brief duration, and they can help you sleep well. However, they can be dangerous when misused, and they are not suitable for use with some other drugs. When mixed with sedative drugs such as alcohol or opioid pain medications, benzodiazepines may increase the risk of overdose and death. They also interact with antidepressants, causing severe and life-threatening withdrawal symptoms.
When prescribed by a doctor, benzodiazepines are effective and safe for treating anxiety disorders. Many doctors are cautious when prescribing them due to the fact that they can lead to addiction and have adverse side effects, including memory loss. Long-term use can trigger a severe withdrawal reaction and those who are dependent on them are often unable to stop taking them without experiencing serious symptoms like depression and seizures. The most important aspect to long-term benzo use is: prescribing them only to those who might benefit from their use, making use of them in settings that will likely help improve anxiety symptoms, and avoiding prolonged use or abrupt withdrawal, minimizing the risk of abuse and combining them with effective psychological treatment.
Anxiety medications like benzodiazepines can help reduce anxiety. They do this by blocking certain nerves signals and preventing their brains from firing. These drugs can assist you in sleeping better and feel less anxious however they aren't going to solve the root cause of what makes you worry (like increasing costs or a relationship that isn't working).
Meditation, exercise, and yoga are all natural methods to reduce anxiety. Cognitive behavioral therapy is another treatment. You learn to overcome anxiety and worries that are not rational.
Antidepressants
SSRIs, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are a good choice for people suffering from anxiety, as they work with the brain to manage mood. It could take up to four weeks for them to begin working. If one does not feel better during that time, they should talk with their doctor about changing medications.
Antidepressants like mirtazapine and nefazodone can be effective in treating anxiety. They can be more effective compared to older drugs such as venlafaxine XR. However it is important to remember that these drugs can trigger an extreme reaction in certain people. If you experience this reaction, call healthdirect at 1800 022222 to speak to an experienced nurse.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors, also known as MAOIs are a different type of antidepressant that can be employed to treat anxiety. They block enzymes that break chemical in the brain into noradrenaline. This allows the levels these chemicals to increase, with a positive effect on mood. MAOIs are usually reserved for those who don't respond well to other antidepressants. However they can be extremely effective in treating anxiety.
Tricyclic antidepressants are amongst most effective antidepressants to treat anxiety. They are similar to SSRIs in the way they treat anxiety and other mental disorders, however they are not as prone to side negative effects. They begin with a low dose and their effectiveness increases as dosage increases. Tricyclics are effective in treating panic, anxiety disorders, and obsessive compulsive disorder. However, they might not be as effective when treating generalized anxiety disorder.
Buspirone, an antidepressant that is newer, 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 impair the ability to concentrate and memory. It works by increasing serotonin levels in the brain and decreasing dopamine levels. The drug is effective for up to 70 per cent of those who test it. As the drug is taken longer, side effects tend to diminish. Talk therapy, for instance cognitive behavioral therapy or exposure therapy, can be utilized in conjunction with these medications to increase the effectiveness.
Buspirone
Buspirone is a generic medication that's used to treat anxiety disorders. It is taken orally, usually twice a day. It's not a controlled drug however, there is a chance of abuse.
Doctors don't know exactly how buspirone functions, but they do know that it decreases the amount of serotonin and its effects in certain areas of the brain. This makes the nervous system less susceptible to anxiety and stress.
Buspirone is generally regarded as safe by doctors for the vast majority of people. It's generally thought as having a lower degree of toxicity and a smaller risk of addiction than barbiturates and benzodiazepines. Like other drugs, it may cause side effects. The most common ones are dizziness and nausea. It is important to inform your doctor about all medicines, supplements and other ingredients you're taking prior to starting buspirone because it may interact with them.
If you are over 65, your doctor may prescribe buspirone in a lower dosage. This is due to the fact that older people tend to respond to drugs differently than younger individuals do. This is especially true for drugs that affect the nervous system.
It's also important to tell your doctor if you are taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor like isocarboxazid (Marplan), linezolid (Zyvox) or the phenelzine (Nardil) selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar) or tranylcypromine (Parnate). Buspirone can cause serious side effects by increasing the levels of these drugs.
It is also important to let your doctor know if you have liver disease, kidney illness, stomach issues, or are pregnant or breastfeeding. In these situations, certain medicines, like SSRIs might not be appropriate for you.
If buspirone isn't working or you're unable to take it due to a medical condition or interaction with another medication, your doctor will prescribe an alternative form of treatment for your anxiety. It could be a new kind of antidepressant like Lexapro, Prozac, a beta-blocker, such as propranolol or a benzodiazepine such as Xanax. The PIL for each drug will contain more details on the best way to take it and possible adverse effects.
Other Medicines
In addition to medications There are other options to help ease anxiety. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is one option. Psychotherapy can teach you how to cope with anxiety and alter your way of thinking. Other options include learning relaxation techniques, having a regular exercise routine, and abstaining from alcohol and drugs. Some people find relief from anxiety-related symptoms by taking herbal medications. If these methods don't work, talk to your doctor.
The medications used for anxiety treatment typically fall into two broad categories: benzodiazepines and antidepressants. Benzodiazepines like Ativan (lorazepam) can enhance the function of gamma-aminobutyric acids, or GABA which is found in your brain to help promote calmness. They can provide quick relief, but they can also become addictive if they are used for a long time. Antidepressants take longer to kick in but they can balance the levels of certain chemicals in your brain, known as neurotransmitters, that influence your mood.
SSRIs are the most common antidepressants for anxiety. They increase the level of serotonin, a chemical messenger in your brain, which can boost your mood and make you feel less stressed. Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are another antidepressant that blocks the reabsorption of serotonin as well as norepinephrine from the brain. This boosts the levels of these chemicals in your body, which makes you feel more energized. Monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs) are an additional class of antidepressants that is sometimes used by those who do not respond to SSRIs to treat anxiety.
There are a myriad of other medications often used to treat anxiety, such as azapirones (such as buspirone), alpha- and beta-blockers, antihistamines (such as hydroxyzine), and clonidine. These medications have a lower chance of success than SSRIs or benzodiazepines.
Although treatment for anxiety attacks can be an effective treatment for anxiety, it shouldn't necessarily be used. Non-drug treatments can be more effective if there is an underlying cause for your anxiety, such as debt, poor diet or a relationship that is unhealthy. Other options include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) biofeedback (which helps you to regulate your brain's activity with a monitor) and mindfulness meditation.