Anxiety Treatment Medications

People with anxiety disorders often recover with psychotherapy and medication. Medications used to treat anxiety include benzodiazepines such as Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Valium (diazepam).

Antidepressants can also help with anxiety. SSRIs such as fluoxetine and citalopram help by stopping nerve cells in the mind from absorbing serotonin. This chemical affects mood.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines (benzos) are powerful medicines which treat anxiety well and can be used quickly. However, they can be physically addictive and pose serious risks to safety when used for long periods of time. They should only be used under the supervision of a medical professional. They are useful as an "as required" treatment for panic attacks or other extreme anxiety episodes. Benzos are usually used 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 duration, and they can aid in sleeping well. They can be harmful when used in excess and are not recommended for use with other drugs. When mixed with sedative substances like alcohol or opioid pain medications, benzodiazepines may increase the risk of a fatal overdose and even death. They also can interfere negatively with certain antidepressants, causing severe withdrawal symptoms.

When prescribed by your doctor, benzodiazepines can be effective and safe when treating anxiety disorders. Many doctors are cautious when prescribing them due to the fact that they can lead ways to treat Anxiety Without medication addiction and have adverse side effects, including memory loss. Long-term use of these drugs can cause severe withdrawal symptoms, and those who become dependent are usually unable to quit using them without experiencing serious side effects, such as seizures and depression. The most important thing to remember when using benzos for long-term use is to: prescribe them only for patients who might benefit from them, and use them in situations where they could alleviate 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 medications like benzodiazepines can alleviate anxiety. They accomplish this by blocking certain nerves signals and thus preventing their firing in the brain. These drugs can help you sleep and feel less anxious, but they will not solve the underlying issue that causes you to worry.

Exercise, meditation, and yoga are all natural methods to decrease anxiety. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a different treatment. You learn to overcome irrational worries and fears.

Antidepressants

SSRIs, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are a good option for anxiety, because they work with the brain to manage mood. However, they could take between four and six weeks or more to get started. If a person doesn't feel better after this period it is recommended to speak with the doctor about changing their medications.

Antidepressants like mirtazapine and nefazodone can be effective in treating anxiety. They may be more effective when than older medications such as venlafaxine or XR. It is important to keep in mind that these drugs can cause severe reactions in some individuals. If they have this reaction, they should seek emergency medical attention or call healthdirect at 1800 022 222 to speak to an experienced nurse (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria).

Monoamine Oxase Inhibitors, also known as MAOIs are a different type of antidepressant that can be used to treat anxiety. They block the actions of enzymes that break down brain chemicals, including noradrenaline and dopamine. This allows the levels of these chemicals to increase, with a positive effect on mood. MAOIs tend to be reserved for patients who are not able to respond well to other antidepressants. However, they can be very effective in treating anxiety.

Among the most effective antidepressants to treat anxiety are tricyclic antidepressants. They are similar to SSRIs in how they treat anxiety and other mental disorders, however they have fewer adverse effects. These medications are effective at small doses, but their effectiveness increases as you increase the dosage. Tricyclics are effective for treating panic disorder, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder but they are less likely to help with generalized anxiety disorder.

Buspirone, a more recent antidepressant is also used to treat anxiety. It is a mild tranquilizer, but it doesn't have the same adverse effects as benzodiazepines. It does not affect coordination or memory. It is a way of increasing serotonin levels in the brain, and reducing dopamine. Up to 70% of those who try the drug find it to be effective. As the medication is taken for longer, the effects to decrease. Talk therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and/or exposure therapy, is a good option to combine with these medications to improve their effects.

Buspirone

Buspirone is used to treat anxiety disorders. It is taken orally, typically twice a day. 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 believe that it reduces the amount of serotonin and its actions in certain areas of the brain. This makes the nervous system less susceptible to anxiety and stress.

Buspirone is generally regarded as safe by doctors for the majority of people. It is generally believed to be less toxic and has a lower risk of addiction than benzodiazepines or barbiturates. However, as with other medications, it can cause adverse reactions. The most common side effects are dizziness and nausea. Buspirone may interact with other medicines, supplements and other ingredients. Tell your doctor if taking any of these prior to starting the drug.

Your doctor may prescribe the dose you need to take if are over 65. This is because people who are older tend to react differently to drugs than younger people. This is particularly true for drugs that affect the nervous system.

Inform your doctor whether any of these medications are being taken by you. This includes isocarboxazid linezolid, phenelzine, selegiline, Emsam, Zelapar, and tranylcypromine. Buspirone can cause serious side effects due to increasing the dosage of these drugs.

Consult your physician whether you suffer from kidney disease, liver disease, stomach problems, are pregnant, or breastfeed. In these situations, certain medicines, such as SSRIs may not be appropriate for you.

Your doctor could suggest a different treatment option in the event that buspirone isn't working 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. This 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 for each drug will contain more information about how to take it as well as possible side effects.

Other Medicines

In addition to medication There are other treatments that can help alleviate anxiety. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is a possible option. Psychotherapy can help you change the way you think about anxiety and teach you strategies for coping to help reduce anxiety. Other options include learning relaxation techniques, having a regular exercise routine, and abstaining from drinking and using drugs. Herbal remedies can aid some sufferers with anxiety-related symptoms. If these alternatives don't work, talk to your doctor.

Medications used as an anxiety treatment typically fall into two broad categories: benzodiazepines and antidepressants. Benzodiazepines, like Ativan (lorazepam) are able to increase the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA, in your brain, which helps to increase calmness. They can bring relief quickly but they also become addictive if used for a long time. Antidepressants take longer to work however they can balance the levels in your brain of certain neurotransmitters, chemicals that affect your mood.

Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, are the most well-known type of antidepressant that is used to treat anxiety. They increase the amount serotonin which is a chemical messenger in your brain. This can boost your mood and cause you to feel less anxious. Another class of antidepressants is serotonin norepinephrine-reuptake inhibitors or SNRIs, stop the reabsorption of both serotonin and norepinephrine into your brain, thereby increasing levels of these chemicals and causing you to feel more energetic. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are another antidepressant class that is often used by those who do not respond to SSRIs to combat anxiety.

There are a myriad of other medicines that are often used to treat anxiety, including azapirones (such as buspirone) as well as beta- and alpha-blockers, antihistamines (such as hydroxyzine) and Clonidine. These medications have a lower chance of success than SSRIs or benzodiazepines.

While medication is an effective anxiety treatment but it shouldn't be the only option you choose to use. If you have a root reason for your anxiety, like debt, poor diet, or an unhealthy relationship, non medication treatment for anxiety-drug therapies may be more efficient. Other options include cognitive behavioral therapy, also known as biofeedback, which helps you to control your own brain waves using a monitoring device and mindfulness meditation, which is a kind of meditation that is focused on the present moment.