Anxiety Treatment Medicines: A Simple Definition

Anxiety Treatment Medications

Psychotherapy and medication may help people suffering from anxiety disorders. 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) work by blocking nerve cells in the brain from reabsorbing serotonin, which is a chemical that influences mood.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines are potent medications to treat anxiety. They work 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 be prescribed and taken under the guidance of a physician. They can be used as a "as-needed" treatment for panic attacks as well as other severe anxiety episodes. Benzos can be used in combination with psychotherapy, antidepressants and other medications to treat anxiety disorders.

Benzos are very effective at short-term anxiety treatments, and they can help you get a good night's sleep. They can be hazardous when used in excess and are not recommended to be used with other medications. When benzodiazepines are combined with sedatives such as alcohol and opioid pain medications, the risk of death or overdose increases. They can also interact negatively with antidepressants, causing severe withdrawal symptoms.

If prescribed by your physician, benzodiazepines can be effective and safe when treating anxiety disorders. A lot of doctors are cautious when prescribing them because they can lead to dependence and negative side effects, such as memory loss. The long-term use of these medications can trigger severe withdrawal symptoms, and those who become dependent are often unable stop taking them without experiencing serious side effects, such as depression and seizures. The key to long-term benzo usage is prescribing them only to patients who may benefit from their use, making use of them in settings that are likely to improve anxiety symptoms, avoiding prolonged use or abrupt withdrawal, minimizing the risk of abuse and using them in conjunction with effective psychological treatment.

Anxiety medications, including benzodiazepines, can alleviate anxiety by blocking certain nerve signals and stopping them from being activated in the brain. These drugs can aid in sleeping more comfortably and feel less stressed but they can't fix the root cause of what is the treatment for anxiety disorder makes you feel anxious (like increasing bills or a strained relationship).

Meditation, exercise, and yoga are all natural methods to lessen anxiety. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a different treatment. You can learn to overcome the irrational fears and anxieties.

Antidepressants

SSRIs, or selective serotonin receptor inhibitors, are a good option for those suffering from anxiety because they work with the brain to manage mood. It could take up four weeks for them to start working. If the patient does not feel better after this period it is recommended to speak with their doctor about changing the medication.

The latest antidepressants, like mirtazapine and nefazodone are also effective in treating anxiety. They can work faster than older medications like venlafaxine XR. However, it's important to note that these medications can cause a severe reaction in some people. If someone experiences this reaction it is recommended that they seek urgent medical attention or contact healthdirect at 1800 022 222 to speak with an experienced nurse (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria).

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors, or MAOIs are a different type of antidepressant that can be employed to treat anxiety. They block the action of enzymes that breakdown brain chemicals such as dopamine and noradrenaline. This causes levels of these chemicals, which can have a an impact positive on mood, to rise. MAOIs are typically reserved for those who are not able to respond well to other antidepressants. However they can be extremely effective in treating anxiety.

Tricyclic antidepressants are amongst the most effective antidepressants to treat anxiety. These medications treat mental and anxiety disorders in a similar way to SSRIs but with less adverse effects. These medicines start at a lower 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 combat anxiety. It is an a mild tranquilizer, however it doesn't have the same negative side effects as benzodiazepines. It doesn't affect coordination or memory. It works by increasing the serotonin levels in the brain, and reducing dopamine. As high as 70% of people who try the drug will find it effective. As the medication is taken for longer, the effects to decrease. Talk therapy, like exposure therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy, can be incorporated with these medications to improve their effectiveness.

Buspirone

Buspirone is a generic drug that's used to treat anxiety disorders. It's taken by mouth typically twice daily. It is not a controlled drug however there is a chance of abuse.

Doctors aren't sure exactly how buspirone works, but they believe that it decreases the amount of serotonin and its effects in certain areas of the brain. This makes the nervous system less responsive to anxiety and stress and anxiety treatment.

In general, doctors believe that buspirone is as a drug that is safe for most people. It's generally regarded to have a lower level of toxicity, and a lesser chance of becoming addicted than barbiturates or benzodiazepines. Like other medicines, it may cause adverse effects. The most common side effects are nausea and dizziness. It is important to inform your doctor about all medicines, supplements and other ingredients that you are taking prior to starting buspirone since it can interact with them.

If you are older than 65, your doctor might prescribe a lower dose of buspirone. This is because people who are older tend to react differently to drugs than younger ones. This is particularly true for drugs that affect the nervous system.

It's also important to tell your doctor if taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, like isocarboxazid (Marplan), linezolid (Zyvox), phenelzine (Nardil) or selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar) or tranylcypromine (Parnate). Buspirone can cause serious side effects due to increasing the levels of these drugs.

Inform your doctor to consult your doctor if you have kidney or liver diseases stomach problems, pregnant, or breastfeed. In these circumstances, some medications, such as SSRIs might not be suitable for you.

If buspirone doesn't work, or you can't use it due to a medical condition or interaction with other medications, your doctor will prescribe an alternative method of treatment for anxiety. It could be a different type of antidepressant such as Lexapro or Prozac; beta blockers such as propranolol or a benzodiazepine, such as Xanax. The PIL for each drug will provide more details on how to take it as well as possible adverse effects.

Other Medicines

There are other options that can reduce anxiety. Talk therapy or psychotherapy is an option. Psychotherapy can help you learn how to cope with anxiety and alter your way of thinking. Other options include learning relaxation skills as well as maintaining a regular exercise routine, and staying away from alcohol and other drugs. Herbal remedies can aid some sufferers with anxiety-related symptoms. If these alternatives don't work, speak to 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 can provide relief quickly, but they can also be addictive if they are used over a long period of time. Antidepressants are more difficult to use but they help stabilize the levels in your brain of specific neurotransmitters, chemicals that affect your mood.

Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, are the most common kind of antidepressant used to treat 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 your brain. This increases levels of these chemicals in your body and makes you feel more energetic. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are a third antidepressant group that is sometimes used by people who don't respond to SSRIs to treat anxiety.

There are also a number of other medications frequently used to treat anxiety, including azapirones (such as buspirone) beta- and alpha-blockers antihistamines (such as hydroxyzine), and clonidine. These medicines have a lower rate of success than SSRIs or benzodiazepines.

Although medication can be an effective treatment for anxiety, it shouldn't always be employed. If you have a root reason for your anxiety such as debt, a 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 regulate your brain's activity with a monitor) and mindfulness meditation.