Anxiety Treatment Medications
Psychotherapy and medication can aid people with anxiety disorders. Medications used to treat anxiety include benzodiazepines like Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Valium (diazepam).
Antidepressants also help treat anxiety. SSRIs such as citalopram (Celexa) and fluoxetine (Prozac) work by preventing brain nerve cells from reabsorbing serotonin, a chemical that affects mood.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines (benzos) are powerful medicines that treat anxiety very well, and they work very quickly. They are also physically addictive and pose serious safety risks if used for long periods. For this reason, they should always be prescribed and administered under the guidance of a physician. They are useful as an "as required" treatment for panic attacks and other severe anxiety episodes. Benzos are typically utilized in conjunction with other medications such as antidepressants or psychotherapy (talk therapy) as part of an overall treatment for anxiety disorders.
Benzos can be extremely effective in treating anxiety for a short time, and they aid in sleeping well. They can be hazardous if abused and are not recommended to be used alongside other medicines. When combined with sedatives like alcohol or opioid pain medication, benzodiazepines could increase the risk of a fatal overdose and even death. They can also interact with some antidepressants, which can cause severe and life-threatening withdrawal symptoms.
If prescribed by a physician If prescribed by a physician, benzodiazepines can be effective and safe for treating anxiety disorders. However, a lot of doctors are cautious when it comes to taking them because they can be addictive and cause negative side effects, such as memory loss. Long-term use can trigger a severe withdrawal reaction, and people who become dependent on them are frequently unable to stop taking them without experiencing serious symptoms such as seizures and depression. The key to long term benzo use is: prescribing them only to patients who could benefit from their use, using them in clinical settings that will likely help improve anxiety symptoms, and avoiding prolonged withdrawal or abrupt discontinuation and minimizing the risk of abuse and combining them with effective psychological intervention.
Anxiety medication, such as benzodiazepines, can reduce anxiety by blocking certain nerve signals and stopping them from being activated in the brain. These medications can help you sleep better and feel less anxious however they aren't going to solve the underlying problem that's making you anxious (like mounting bills or a strained relationship).
Exercise, meditation yoga, and meditation are all natural methods to lessen anxiety. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a different treatment. You learn to conquer the irrational fears and anxieties.
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 could take anywhere from four to six weeks or more to get started. If a person doesn't feel better in the time frame it is recommended to talk to 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 like venlafaxine XR. It's important to remember that these medications may cause severe reactions in some people. If someone experiences this reaction it is recommended that they seek urgent medical attention or contact healthdirect at 1800 022 222 for a chat with a registered nurse (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria).
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors, also known as MAOIs are a different type of antidepressant used for anxiety. They block the action of enzymes that breakdown brain chemicals such as dopamine and noradrenaline. This allows the levels these chemicals to rise, with a positive effect on mood. MAOIs are typically reserved for those who are not improving on other antidepressants but they can be effective in treating anxiety.
treatment for anxiety attacks are amongst the most effective antidepressants to treat anxiety. These medications are similar to SSRIs in their approach to treating anxiety and other mental disorders, however they have fewer negative side negative effects. These medicines start with a low dose and their effectiveness increases as dose is increased. Tricyclics may be effective for treating panic disorder, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder but they are less likely to treat generalized anxiety disorder.
A newer antidepressant, buspirone, is also used to treat anxiety. It is a mild tranquilizer but it doesn't cause the same adverse effects as benzodiazepines. It does not affect coordination or memory. It works by increasing serotonin levels in the brain, and decreasing dopamine. As high as 70% of those who try the drug find it to be effective. The adverse effects are likely to diminish as the medication is used for longer periods of time. Talk therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure therapy, can be utilized in conjunction with these drugs to increase the effectiveness.
Buspirone
Buspirone is a medication used to treat anxiety disorders. It is taken orally, typically twice daily. It is not a controlled drug, but there is a chance of abuse.
Doctors aren't certain of the exact way buspirone works, but they believe that it reduces the levels of serotonin as well as its actions in specific areas of the brain. This makes the nervous system less sensitive to stress and anxiety.
In general, doctors consider buspirone a safe drug for most people. It's generally thought as having a lower degree of toxicity, and a lesser risk for addiction than barbiturates or benzodiazepines. Like other medications, it may cause side effects. The most common side effects are nausea and dizziness. Buspirone may interact with other medications, supplements, and ingredients. Inform your doctor if taking any of these before starting the drug.
Your doctor might prescribe an inverse dose if you are over 65. This is due to the fact that older people tend to react differently to drugs than younger ones. This is especially true of drugs that affect the nervous system.
It's also essential to inform your doctor if taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor like isocarboxazid (Marplan) or linezolid (Zyvox) and the phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar) or tranylcypromine (Parnate). Buspirone can increase levels of these drugs within your body, which can lead to serious side negative effects.
Consult your physician to consult your doctor if you have kidney or liver diseases, stomach problems, are breastfeeding or pregnant. 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 because of an illness or interaction with a different medication or other medication, your doctor will recommend an alternative treatment for anxiety. This could be a new kind of antidepressant like Lexapro, Prozac, a beta-blocker, such as propranolol or a benzodiazepine such as Xanax. The PIL will provide more details about the best way to take the drug and any possible adverse reactions.
Other Medicines
There are many other treatments available that can help reduce anxiety. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, is a possible option. Psychotherapy can assist you in changing the way you think about anxiety and teach you strategies for coping to help reduce it. Other options include acquiring relaxation techniques and maintaining a regular workout routine, and abstaining from using drugs and alcohol. Herbal remedies can aid some people suffering from anxiety symptoms. If these methods don't work, consult your doctor.
Medicines used as an anxiety treatment typically fall into two broad categories: antidepressants and benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines, such as Ativan or lorazepam boost the activity of GABA in your brain, which increases tranquility. They offer quick relief, but they can also become addictive if they are used for a long time. Antidepressants take longer to work but they help regulate the levels in your brain of certain neurotransmitters. These chemicals affect your mood.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors(SSRIs), or SSRIs are the most well-known type of antidepressant that is used to treat anxiety. They boost the amount of serotonin, a chemical messenger in your brain. This can boost your mood and cause you to feel less anxious. Another class of antidepressants, serotonin norepinephrine-reuptake inhibitors or SNRIs, prevent the reabsorption of serotonin and norepinephrine in your brain, increasing levels of these chemicals and causing you to feel more energized. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are an additional class of antidepressants that is often prescribed by people who do not respond to SSRIs to combat anxiety.
There are a variety of other medicines that are often used to treat anxiety disorders, including azapirones (such as buspirone) alpha- and beta-blockers, antihistamines (such as hydroxyzine), and clonidine. Most of these have a lower success rate than SSRIs and benzodiazepines.
While medication is an effective treatment for anxiety, it shouldn't be the only option to be used. If you're suffering from an underlying reason for your anxiety, like debt, poor diet, or a problematic relationship, non-medicative treatments could be more effective. Other options include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) biofeedback (which will teach you how to manage your brain's waves by using a device to monitor them), and mindfulness meditation.