Anxiety Treatments Medication
Anxiety can hinder your everyday activities, so it is important to seek out help if you have extreme anxiety. Treatment options include lifestyle changes like decreasing stress and engaging in regular physical activity. Your doctor might recommend psychological therapy.
The FDA has approved several medicines for anxiety disorders, including SSRIs and SNRIs, which affect serotonin, the neurotransmitter that controls our brains. Anticonvulsants, like pregabalin, can also reduce anxiety by affecting the GABA receptor.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines are drugs that act on the nervous system to produce an calming effect. They work by increasing effects of a brain neurotransmitter referred to as gamma aminobutyric acids (GABA). GABA reduces nerve activity in the brain and spinal cord, and aids in reducing anxiety.
Unlike antidepressants, which can take weeks to start working, benzodiazepines have the ability to reduce anxiety symptoms in a matter of minutes. These are highly-risk medications for abuse and dependence. The body becomes accustomed to benzodiazepines once they are used regularly. This could result in physical dependence. Despite the dangers, benzodiazepines can be a successful treatment for anxiety when other methods aren't available or don't provide relief.
Although benzodiazepines are a potent treatment for anxiety, it is crucial to talk to your doctor prior to using them. They can assist you in determining the cause of your anxiety and also discuss other treatments that may be more suitable. For example therapy that involves talking, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy can help to address the root cause of anxiety and teach you strategies for coping.
Benzodiazepines aren't usually the first in the treatment of anxiety disorders since they can have dangerous effects when used in conjunction with alcohol or other drugs. They can also be addictive and have a significant risk of overdose. The first benzodiazepines - chlordiazepoxide (Librium, Limbitrol), were introduced in 1950, then followed by diazepam (Valium) and lorazepam, (Ativan). All of these drugs come with a black-box warning that warns that they could cause serious or life-threatening side effects, such as breathing problems, severe sleepiness as well as coma and death if taken together with opioids or other illegal drugs.
SSRIs
SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are a class of antidepressant medications, and they're the first choice for many who suffer from anxiety. These meds boost levels of certain chemical messengers within the brain, particularly serotonin and norepinephrine. They also regulate other important chemicals like those that control sleep and mood and lower stress hormones within the body. The most frequently prescribed SSRI for anxiety is fluoxetine, which is better known by its brand name Prozac. Other SSRIs include Lexapro, Zoloft, and Paxil, while SNRIs include Effexor XR, Cymbalta, and Pristiq.
Experts aren't certain exactly how SSRIs treat anxiety but they do know that the meds help improve the functioning of your brain. They increase the glial cell's function (these are the brain cells that support, nourish, insulate and protect your neurons), increase BDNF levels (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) and increase levels of serotonin itself. The precise mechanism of action isn't completely understood, but it may involve the combination of several factors.
SSRIs, like other types of medications, can take up to a month to begin to work. They require regular treatments to maintain their benefits. They can cause adverse effects, such as nausea and diarrhea. They can also lead to low sodium levels in some individuals, and may affect libido for certain men. Your doctor will determine the duration of time that you should be taking them based on your symptoms as well as any other treatments you are using. They may recommend that you continue taking these medications for a period of six to 12 months or work with your to stop the tapering and stop taking the medication. They may also suggest other therapies like psychotherapy, herbs, and supplements to combat anxiety-related symptoms. For instance, Vistaril can be used for itching, and chamomile for sleep.
Beta-blockers
Beta-blockers, also referred to as beta-adrenergic blocking agents, stop adrenaline from binding to the heart's receptors. This relaxes your heart and lowers your blood pressure. They are prescribed for anxiety, and can be alternative to conventional medications for psychiatric disorders that can cause negative side effects.
While beta-blockers may help to reduce physical symptoms of anxiety, they don't tackle the root reasons behind your anxiety. Typically, they are used to manage specific situations which trigger anxiety such as public speaking and flying. They may be used in conjunction with therapy to treat the underlying anxiety disorder or on their own as long-term daily medication.
Beta blockers have a variety of adverse reactions due to their method of working, such as hypotension, bradycardia and a variety of other conditions. You might also feel shakey or sweaty. anxiety attack treatment suffering from asthma, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) or diabetes shouldn't be taking them.
Despite the negative side effects Beta blockers are widely used and studied. They've been on the market for decades and are considered safe for most adults. They're also reasonably priced and easily accessible when compared with other drugs. For many, the negative side effects are worth it in exchange for their effectiveness.
Utilizing beta-blockers as part an anxiety treatment plan is a good idea for those with mild to moderate anxiety. They are more effective than benzodiazepines, which are the best choice for those suffering from severe or life-threatening anxiety disorders. They can't address the root of your problem, and are recommended to ease anxiety in the short term, like prior to an important event, such as an airplane flight or a speech. They can help you sleep better, and they can also regulate your blood sugar.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
Monoamine Oxase inhibitors (MAOIs), block the enzyme responsible for breaking down monoamine neurotransmitters. They increase the availability of serotonin as well as other neurotransmitters like epinephrine and melatonin for transmission by preventing their breakdown in neurons. They are mostly used as antidepressants, but they also have some effectiveness in treating anxiety disorders. They can be taken on their own or in conjunction with other medications. They can also be used to treat Parkinson's disease and other conditions. Eugenol, an essential oil, is found in the bud leaves, stems, and leaves of clove (Syzygium Aromaticum) and the bark of cinnamon. In a test tube Eugenol was shown to inhibit MAOI activity and may interact negatively with these drugs.
MAOIs can have serious side effects and aren't often the first drug doctors prescribe to treat anxiety or depression. Typically, they are prescribed for those who have failed to respond to other treatments. They can also be used for many other disorders like Parkinson's disease and fibromyalgia. They can cause low blood pressure when standing in a sitting or lying position, which is called orthostatic hypotension.
MAOIs are commonly used to treat panic disorder as well as atypical depression and tranylcypromine. Phenelzine is used for the treatment of atypical depression and panic disorder. It has small studies on panic disorder. These drugs are not as effective as SSRIs but they are helpful in treating certain types depression and anxiety disorders.
The more recent reversible MAOIs that are reversible like selegiline or moclobemide are more secure than the irreversible MAOIs of the past. They are also more effective than older MAOIs in boosting the levels of monoamines involved in depressive disorders. They are less likely to cause hypertension, but they still carry some risk of developing pharmacological dependence.
Buspirone
For people suffering from anxiety, a combination of medication and psychological therapies is usually the most effective treatment. The use of medication can help ease symptoms, but only with the guidance of a doctor. There are many medications that can be used to treat anxiety. They can work differently for each individual. Talk to your doctor about your anxiety and he or she will prescribe the appropriate medication for you.
Buspirone is an FDA-approved anxiety medication that works by altering the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin. This reduces anxiety and mood symptoms, but it doesn't cause sedation or impair cognitive functioning. It's also less likely to be habit-forming than other sedatives, like benzodiazepines. This makes it a great choice for people who want to manage their anxiety but don't want to use a drug like Xanax.
SSRIs or SNRIs are usually the first option for treating generalized anxiety disorder. They are antidepressants that boost a person's serotonin levels and help regulate mood. These are often prescribed along with anxiety medication like benzodiazepines. They are rarely prescribed for long periods of time as they are addictive and can cause side effects such as drowsiness.
Psychological treatments for GAD that include medication have been proven to be effective in the short-term and may improve the outcome over time. These include cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and art therapy or creative therapy, and exposure therapy. Psychological therapy can help people learn methods to manage their anxiety and depression, which can help them manage their symptoms and live a full life. In addition that many of these treatments are now available online and may be covered by insurance. For example, Brightside is an online therapy service that offers various anxiety and depression treatments, including CBT.