5 Lessons You Can Learn From Meds To Treat Anxiety
Medications to Treat Anxiety
Therapy is the most effective method to reduce anxiety, but sometimes a short-term course of medication may be necessary. Antidepressants and tranquilizers are among the medications that can be utilized to treat anxiety.
SSRI antidepressants such as citalopram (Celexa), the escitalopram (Lexapro) and sertraline (Zoloft) can improve the communication between nerve cells in the brain and reduce anxiety. SNRIs that target the chemical serotonin as well as norepinephrine could be effective.
SSRIs
SSRIs are the first class of medication doctors prescribe to treat anxiety disorders. treatments for anxiety prevent nerve cells in the brain from reabsorbing serotonin, which is a chemical that plays a key role in regulating mood. It takes a while for the medication to be effective but most people begin feeling better after 4 to 6 weeks. SSRIs do not form a habit and are not addicting, therefore they can be taken for a long time.
Another type of antidepressant, SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), also treats depression and anxiety. These SNRIs include citalopram and escitalopram and fluoxetine (Prozac) and paraxetine (Paxil) and sertraline. Tricyclic antidepressants, such as imipramine (Tofranil) and doxepine and Anxiety Disorder stimulant are also used to treat depression and anxiety. Mirtazapine is a new antidepressant, is sometimes used to treat anxiety disorders.
Doctors don't know exactly how SSRIs and other SNRIs work however, they do know that they enhance activity of certain chemical messengers in the brain, referred to as neurotransmitters. They prevent the brain from absorbing chemicals and permit these chemicals to interact with 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 help for bulimia, though it is less prevalent.
People with anxiety who don't respond to SSRIs could be prescribed an antipsychotic atypical medication. Examples include quetiapine (Abilify) and aripiprazole (Risperdal). These drugs reduce anxiety in people who have obsessive compulsive disorder. They are usually prescribed in combination with an antidepressant. They have a lower chance of serious adverse reactions than other forms of antipsychotics.
Medications called beta-blockers can also be used to reduce anxiety and are commonly prescribed for heart problems. Propranolol and Atenolol are two examples. They can aid in reducing the physical symptoms of anxiety, particularly for people with social anxiety disorder. They can also aid in reducing anxiety prior to or after surgery and for some chronic pain conditions. Benzodiazepines such as lorazepam (Ativan) can be used to treat symptoms when other medication aren't working. However, benzodiazepines can cause dependence and can lead to addiction.
SNRIs
SNRIs are an antidepressant medication that is often prescribed to combat anxiety. They work in a similar way to SSRIs however, they enhance the supply of serotonin and norepinephrine within the brain. As a result, they are usually more effective at treating certain types of anxiety disorders, such as panic disorder and social anxiety disorder. Like other medications, these are most effective 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. Some sufferers may experience withdrawal symptoms when stopping a medication following a prolonged period of use. It is important to consult your doctor before discontinuing any medication.
Neurotransmitters such as serotonin and norepinephrine are responsible for regulating mood and stress. They play a key role in the fight or flight response that many sufferers of anxiety experience. SNRIs stop nerve cells from quickly mopping up these neurotransmitters, by preventing the process of reuptake. In this way, they keep these chemicals in the brain for longer, and as a consequence, they have the potential to improve mood and reduce feelings of anxiety or even aid in reducing symptoms of panic attacks.
Norepinephrine is also essential in anxiety due to its ability to activate the amygdala, which is a deep and primal part of the brain that is linked with fear-related behavior. SNRIs can reduce activity of this area of the brain. This can improve mood, anxiety and even alleviate panic attacks.
Although these drugs are extremely beneficial, it is important to keep in mind that they carry a risk of increased suicidal thoughts in some individuals. Due to this, they are often only prescribed in higher doses for a brief period. Additionally, these drugs are able to interact with other drugs and other substances. You should inform your doctor if you are taking any other prescriptions, or over-the counter medicines. Also keep them informed of any medical conditions that may be underlying like heart issues and bleeding disorders. Be aware that some patients experience adverse reactions to SNRIs like nausea and a dry mouth.
Benzodiazepines
Benzos, or benzodiazepines as they are commonly called are a class of drugs that reduce anxiety and related symptoms, such a muscle tension and insomnia. They can be helpful for people with anxiety disorders, such as social anxiety and panic disorder, especially if other treatments, like SSRIs or psychotherapy (talk therapy) aren't working. They're also helpful as a temporary solution, for example, while you wait for an antidepressant to begin working. Benzos include diazepam, temazepam, and flurazepam.
They usually start working within 30 minutes because they are rapid-acting. These meds don't stay in the body very long, therefore they should be consumed regularly to reap the full benefits. Using benzos for long durations of time can result in addiction and physical dependence, so they should be used only for the most brief period of time. Benzos are not recommended for people with depression or other anxiety disorders because they may increase the risk of these problems.
People who use benzos for an extended period of time, usually without medical supervision, may develop a condition referred to as sedative-use disorders, which can include addiction and withdrawal symptoms. It is not common for those who use benzos according to their prescription to develop this condition however. Benzo abuse usually stems from other factors, such as alcoholism and depression.
Taking benzodiazepines for the long-term can cause tolerance to their effects of sedation. Tolerance means that you require more medication to get the same effects. In some cases this could lead to respiratory depression, coma or death. It is crucial to take benzodiazepines in the prescribed dosage for long-term basis.
Other Medicines
SSRIs and SNRIs are the primary medications doctors typically prescribe for anxiety. They affect serotonin which is responsible for mood sleep, appetite, and appetite. They can take up to 12 weeks before they begin to work and may have side effects such as insomnia or nausea. SSRIs are also used to treat other mental health disorders like depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, and panic disorder. Antidepressants, unlike benzodiazepines, do not cause physical dependence. However, they can cause withdrawal symptoms if they are abruptly stopped.
Sertraline (Zoloft), Prozac (Prozac) Sertraline (Zoloft), Prozac (Prozac) and Celexa (Citalopram) are the three medications that fall under this class. They can be used as a single drug or in combination with therapy. Antidepressants may be prescribed by a psychiatrist, psychologist or family physician who has specialized training in the field of medication management.
Doctors may prescribe a specific class of antidepressants known as monoamine oxidase inhibitors, or MAOIs. These medications block the action of enzymes that break chemicals down, such as serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. MAOIs may take three or four weeks to begin working but aren't as fast-acting as SSRIs.
Another medication that can help manage anxiety is clonidine. This is used to lower high 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 help reduce the symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks. They may also decrease the effectiveness of benzodiazepines in some patients.
Anxiety is usually treated using the combination of psychotherapy, exercise and medication. A therapist who is specialized in treating anxiety disorders is the most effective way to manage anxiety. They can help you determine the root causes of your anxiety and suggest strategies to manage it, without medication if necessary. Other treatment options for anxiety that are not medications include eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, mindfulness meditation and yoga based on trauma. Talk to your therapist about what options are best for you. Psychologists are trained to analyze your medical history, symptoms and formulate an appropriate treatment plan for anxiety that is appropriate for you. When creating the plan, they consider your medical diagnosis, lifestyle, medical background, and preferences. They may also make adjustments as time passes.