Anxiety Treatment Medications
People with anxiety disorders usually recover by undergoing psychotherapy and taking medication. Benzodiazepines such as Xanax, Klonopin, and Valium are used to treat anxiety.
Antidepressants can also be used to treat anxiety. SSRIs such as citalopram (Celexa) and fluoxetine (Prozac) work by preventing neurons in the brain from absorbing serotonin, which is a chemical that affects mood.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines (benzos) are powerful drugs that treat anxiety very well and work quickly. They are also physically addictive and carry serious risks to your safety if you use them for long periods. They should only be taken under the supervision of a physician. They are an "as-needed" treatment for panic episodes and other anxiety disorders that are severe. Benzos can be used in conjunction with antidepressants, psychotherapy and other medicines to treat anxiety disorders.
Benzos are very effective at short-term anxiety treatment, and they can help you get an excellent night's rest. However they can be harmful when misused, and they are not recommended for use in conjunction with other medications. When benzodiazepines mix with sedatives such as alcohol and opioid pain medication, the risk of death or overdose rises. They also interact with some antidepressants, causing serious and life-threatening withdrawal symptoms.
When prescribed by a doctor, benzodiazepines are safe and effective in 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 like memory loss. Long-term use can cause severe withdrawal reactions, and people who are dependent on them are often not able to stop taking them without experiencing severe side effects like depression and seizures. The main thing to remember about long-term use of benzos is to prescribe them only to patients who may benefit from them, and use them in situations in which they will likely improve anxiety symptoms; avoid prolonged use or abrupt discontinuation; minimize the chance of abuse, particularly by children; and pair them with effective psychological treatments.
Anxiety medication, such as benzodiazepines can help ease anxiety by blocking certain nerve signals and stopping them from being activated in the brain. These drugs can assist you in sleeping better and feel less anxious, but they won't solve the root cause of what makes you feel anxious (like increasing bills or an unhealthy relationship).
There are some natural ways to lessen anxiety like meditation, exercise and yoga. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a different treatment. You learn to overcome anxiety and worries that are not rational.
Antidepressants
SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are a great alternative for those suffering from anxiety as they affect the brain to regulate mood. However, they can take between four and six weeks or more to get started. If the patient does not feel better after this time, they should speak to their doctor about changing medications.
Antidepressants such as mirtazapine or Nefazodone are effective in treating anxiety. They may be more effective when than older medications like venlafaxine XR. However it's important to keep in mind that these drugs can trigger severe reactions in some individuals. If you have this reaction, call healthdirect at 1800 022222 to speak to a registered nurse.
Monoamine Oxase Inhibitors, also known as MAOIs are a different type of antidepressant used to treat anxiety. They block the actions of enzymes that breakdown brain chemicals, including noradrenaline and dopamine. This causes 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 antidepressants, however, they can be effective in treating anxiety.
Among the most effective antidepressants for anxiety are the tricyclic antidepressants. They are similar to SSRIs in how they treat anxiety and other mental disorders, however they are not as prone to side effects. They begin with a low dose and their effectiveness increases as the dosage is increased. 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, a newer antidepressant is also used for anxiety. It acts as an a mild tranquilizer, however it doesn't cause the same adverse effects as benzodiazepines. It doesn't affect coordination or memory. It works by increasing serotonin in the brain and reducing dopamine. As high as 70% of people who take the drug find it to be effective. As the drug is taken longer, the risk of side effects to diminish. Talk therapy, such as exposure therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy, can be combined with these drugs to increase their effectiveness.
Buspirone
Buspirone is a generic drug that is used to treat anxiety disorders. It is taken orally generally twice daily. It's not a controlled drug, but 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 effects in specific areas of the brain. This makes the nervous system less responsive to stress and anxiety.
In general, doctors consider buspirone as a drug that is safe for most people. It is generally thought to be less toxic and has a lower risk of addiction than benzodiazepines and barbiturates. However, like other medications there are adverse effects. The most common side effects are dizziness and nausea. It's important to tell your doctor about all medications, supplements and ingredients you are taking prior to starting buspirone since it can interact with them.
If you are over 65, your doctor could give you buspirone at a lower dose. This is due to the fact that older people tend to respond to drugs differently than younger individuals do. This is particularly true for drugs that affect your nervous system.
Inform your doctor the doctor if any of these medicines are taken by you. These include isocarboxazid selegiline, phenelzine and linezolid, Emsam, Zelapar, and tranylcypromine. Buspirone can increase levels of these drugs in your body, leading to serious adverse side adverse effects.
Tell your doctor whether you suffer from liver disease, kidney problems stomach problems, nursing or pregnant. Certain medications, like SSRIs are not appropriate for you in these circumstances.
Your doctor may suggest a different treatment option when buspirone fails to work or in the event that you are unable to take it due to a medical condition or due to an interaction with a different drug. It could be a new type of antidepressant such as Lexapro, Prozac, a beta-blocker such as propranolol, or a benzodiazepine such as Xanax. The PIL will give more details on how to take the drug and any possible side effects.
Other Medications
In addition to medication, there are other treatments that can help ease anxiety. Talk therapy or psychotherapy is an option. Psychotherapy can teach you how to manage anxiety and alter your way of thinking. Other options include learning relaxation techniques, maintaining an exercise routine, and avoiding alcohol and drugs. Some people get relief from anxiety symptoms by taking herbal medicines. If these alternatives don't work, talk to your doctor.
Medications used as an anxiety treatment usually fall into two broad categories: antidepressants and benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines, like Ativan (lorazepam) can enhance the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid or GABA which is found in your brain, which helps to increase tranquility. They offer quick relief, however they can be addictive if used long-term. Antidepressants are slower to work but they help regulate the levels in your brain of certain neurotransmitters. These chemicals affect your mood.
SSRIs are the most commonly used antidepressants used to treat anxiety. They increase the level of serotonin, the chemical messenger in your brain, which may improve your mood and make you feel less anxious. Another class of antidepressants is serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors known as SNRIs, block the reabsorption process of both serotonin and norepinephrine in your brain, thereby increasing levels of these chemicals and making you feel more energized. A third antidepressant class, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, also known as MAOIs, are used to treat anxiety in people who aren't responsive to SSRIs.
There are also a number of other medications that are sometimes used to treat anxiety, such as azapirones (such as buspirone) as well as beta- and alpha-blockers antihistamines (such as hydroxyzine) and Clonidine. They have lower success rates than SSRIs and benzodiazepines.
While medication is an effective treatment for anxiety however, it shouldn't be your only option you choose to use. Non-drug treatments can be more effective if you have an underlying cause of your anxiety like eating disorders, debt or a bad relationship. Other options include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), biofeedback (which helps you to control your brain waves using a monitoring device), and mindfulness meditation.