Anxiety Treatment Medications
People with anxiety disorders often recover with psychotherapy and medication. The medications used to treat anxiety include benzodiazepines such as Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Valium (diazepam).
Antidepressants also help treat anxiety. SSRIs like citalopram (Celexa) and fluoxetine (Prozac) are effective in preventing brain nerve cells from absorbing serotonin, an ingredient that affects mood.
I Am Psychiatry are powerful medications to treat anxiety. They are effective and quick. However, they can be physically addictive, and pose serious safety risks 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 or other extreme anxiety episodes. Benzos can be used in conjunction with antidepressants, psychotherapy and other medications to treat anxiety disorders.
Benzos can be extremely effective in managing anxiety for a short period of time, and also help you sleep better. However they are also dangerous when abused, and they are not suitable to be used in conjunction with other medications. When benzodiazepines mix with sedatives such as opioid pain medication and alcohol, the risk of death or overdose rises. They may also interfere negatively with certain antidepressants and cause severe withdrawal symptoms.
When prescribed by your doctor When prescribed by your doctor, benzodiazepines can be very effective and safe in treating anxiety disorders. However, a lot of doctors are cautious when it comes to taking them because they can be addictive and have negative side effects like memory loss. Long-term use can trigger a severe withdrawal reaction and those who are dependent on them are typically unable to stop taking them without experiencing serious symptoms such as seizures and depression. The most important thing to remember when using benzos for long-term use is to prescribe them only to patients who might benefit from them; use them in clinical situations that will likely improve anxiety symptoms; stay away from prolonged use or abrupt discontinuation; minimize the chance of abuse, especially by children; and mix them with effective psychological treatments.
Anxiety medication like benzodiazepines are a great way to ease anxiety. They do this by blocking certain nerves signals and preventing their firing in the brain. These medications can aid in sleeping and feeling less anxious, but they will not solve the underlying issue that causes anxiety.
There are a variety of natural methods to lessen anxiety such as meditation, exercise and yoga. Other treatments include cognitive behavior therapy, which teaches you to overcome irrational fears or worries.
Antidepressants
SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are a viable alternative for those suffering from anxiety as they work on the brain to control mood. It could take up to four weeks for them to start working. If a person doesn't feel better after this period you should talk to their doctor about changing medication.
The latest antidepressants, like mirtazapine or nefazodone, are also effective in treating anxiety. They may be more effective when than older medications like venlafaxine and XR. It is important to be aware that these medications can trigger severe reactions in certain people. If you encounter this reaction, contact healthdirect on 1800 022222 to speak to a registered nurse.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors, also known as MAOIs, are another kind of antidepressant used for anxiety. They block enzymes that break chemicals in the brain down, including noradrenaline. This allows the levels of these chemicals to rise, with a positive effect on mood. MAOIs are generally reserved for those who are not improving on other kinds of antidepressants, but they can be effective in treating anxiety.
Tricyclic antidepressants are among the 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 negative side effects. They are effective in low doses, however their effectiveness increases with increasing dosage. Tricyclics are effective in treating anxiety, panic disorders and obsessive compulsive disorder. However, they might not be as effective when treating generalized anxiety disorder.
A newer antidepressant, called buspirone is also used to treat anxiety. It functions as a mild tranquilizer but it doesn't have the same side effects as benzodiazepines. It doesn't affect coordination or memory. It increases serotonin in the brain, and reducing dopamine. The drug is effective for up to 70 per cent of those who try it. As the medication is taken longer, side effects tend to decrease. Talk therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure therapy, can be used in conjunction with these medications to increase the effectiveness.
Buspirone
Buspirone is used to treat anxiety disorders. It is taken orally, usually twice a day. It's not a controlled drug however there is the potential for abuse.
Doctors aren't sure exactly how buspirone works, but they believe that it reduces the levels of serotonin as well as its actions in certain areas of the brain. This makes the nervous system less responsive to stress and anxiety.
In general, doctors believe that buspirone is to be a safe medication for the majority of people. It's generally regarded to have a lower level of toxicity, and a lesser risk of addiction than barbiturates or benzodiazepines. However, just like other drugs they can trigger adverse effects. The most common ones are dizziness and nausea. It's important to tell your doctor about all the medications, supplements and ingredients you're taking prior to starting buspirone because it could interact with them.
If you are older than 65, your doctor might give you a lower dose of buspirone. This is due to the fact that older people tend to react differently to drugs than younger individuals. This is particularly true for drugs that affect the nervous system.
Inform your doctor if any of these drugs are being taken by you. These include isocarboxazid, selegiline, phenelzine and linezolid, Emsam, Zelapar, and tranylcypromine. Buspirone can cause serious side effects due to increasing the concentrations of these drugs.
You should also inform your doctor know if you suffer from kidney disease, liver problems or stomach disorders, or are breastfeeding or pregnant. In these circumstances, some medicines, such as SSRIs might not be suitable for you.
Your doctor may suggest a different treatment option when buspirone fails to work or if you are unable to take it due to a medical condition or due to an interaction with another drug. This could be a different kind of antidepressant, like Lexapro or Prozac; beta blockers, such as propranolol; or a benzodiazepine drug, like Xanax. The PIL for each drug will include more details on how to take it and possible adverse effects.
Other Medications
There are other treatments available that can reduce anxiety. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, is one option. Psychotherapy can teach you how to cope with anxiety and change your ways of thinking. Other options include acquiring relaxation techniques, maintaining a regular workout routine, and avoiding alcohol and drugs. Herbal medicines can be helpful for sufferers with anxiety-related symptoms. If you've tried these alternatives but they don't work, talk to your doctor.
Medications used as an anxiety treatment typically fall into two broad categories: benzodiazepines and antidepressants. Benzodiazepines such as Ativan or lorazepam enhance the activity of GABA in your brain, which increases calmness. They can provide relief quickly however they can be addictive if they are used over a long period of time. Antidepressants take longer to kick in but they can balance the levels of certain chemicals in your brain, referred to as neurotransmitters, which affect your mood.
SSRIs are the most common antidepressants used to treat anxiety. They increase the amount serotonin, a chemical messenger in your brain. This can boost your mood or make you feel less anxiety. Another class of antidepressants, serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, or SNRIs, prevent the reabsorption process of both serotonin and norepinephrine in your brain, thereby increasing levels of these chemicals, making you feel more energetic. A third class of antidepressants called monoamine oxidase inhibitors also known as MAOIs, are used to treat anxiety in people who aren't responsive to SSRIs.
There are a variety of other medications that are frequently used to treat anxiety disorders, including azapirones (such as buspirone) as well as beta- and alpha-blockers antihistamines (such as hydroxyzine) and Clonidine. They have a lower success rate than SSRIs and benzodiazepines.
Although medication is an effective treatment for anxiety however, it shouldn't be your sole treatment you employ. Non-drug treatments can be more effective if there is an underlying cause for your anxiety such as debt, poor diet or a bad relationship. Other options include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) biofeedback (which will teach you how to manage your brain's waves using a monitoring device), and mindfulness meditation.