Anxiety Treatments Medication
Anxiety can affect your everyday life, which is why it's crucial to seek assistance if you are suffering from severe anxiety. Treatment options include lifestyle changes like reduction of stress and regular exercise. Your doctor may suggest psychological therapy.
The FDA has approved several medicines for anxiety disorders, such as the SSRIs and SNRIs that affect the neurotransmitter serotonin. Anticonvulsants like pregabalin can reduce anxiety by altering GABA receptors.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines help to calm the nervous system by acting on it. They work by increasing the effects of a brain neurotransmitter known as gamma aminobutyric acids (GABA). GABA reduces nerve activity in the brain and spine cord and assists in reducing anxiety.
Contrary to antidepressants, which may take weeks to begin working, benzodiazepines have the ability to relieve anxiety symptoms in a matter of minutes. They are high-risk substances for abuse and dependency. The body develops a tolerance to benzodiazepines once they are used regularly. This can result in physical dependence. Despite the risks they are a reliable treatment for anxiety when other treatments aren't available or don't provide relief.
It is important to consult your physician prior to taking benzodiazepines. They can help you identify the cause of your anxiety, and also discuss other treatments that might be more appropriate. Therapies that involve talking, such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), exposure therapy, and many others can help you identify the root of anxiety. They will also teach you techniques for coping.
Benzodiazepines aren't usually the first in the treatment of anxiety disorders because they can have harmful effects when used in conjunction with other substances or alcohol. They can also be addictive and have a high overdose risk. The first benzodiazepines - chlordiazepoxide (Librium, Limbitrol), were introduced in 1950, then followed by diazepam (Valium) and lorazepam (Ativan). All of these medications carry the black-box warning that states they can cause life-threatening or serious side effects, such as breathing problems and severe sleepiness.
SSRIs
SSRIs are a category of antidepressant drugs that are typically the first choice of those suffering from anxiety. These meds boost levels of certain chemical messengers in the brain, particularly serotonin and norepinephrine. They also regulate other important chemicals, such as the ones that control sleep and mood and decrease the level of stress hormones within your body. The most frequently prescribed SSRI for anxiety is fluoxetine, better known by its brand name Prozac. Other SSRIs are Lexapro Zoloft and Paxil. SNRIs are Effexor XR Cymbalta and Pristiq.
Experts aren't quite sure what SSRIs do to treat anxiety, but they do know the drugs enhance the brain's function. They boost glial cell function (these are the brain cells that support nourish, insulate, and protect your neurons), increase BDNF levels (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) and boost levels of serotonin itself. It's not clear what the precise mechanism of action of these supplements is however it could be a combination of different factors.
As with other medications, SSRIs can take 1 month to begin working and require frequent treatment to ensure that the benefits are maintained. They can have adverse effects, such as nausea and diarrhea. They can also result in low sodium levels in some people, and can affect libido for some males. Your doctor will decide the amount of time you should be taking them based on your symptoms and other treatments you're using. They may recommend that you continue to take these medications for a period of six to 12 months or work with you to stop the tapering and stop the medication. They may also suggest other treatments, such as psychotherapy, herbs and supplements that treat anxiety-related symptoms like Vistaril for itching, or the chamomile herb to help sleep.
Beta-blockers
Beta-blockers (also known as beta-adrenergic blockers) block adrenaline's binding to your heart's receptors. This allows your heart to relax and decreases your blood pressure. They are prescribed for anxiety and may be an alternative to conventional medications for psychiatric disorders that can cause adverse effects.
Although beta-blockers can reduce the physical symptoms of anxiety, they don't address the underlying mental reasons behind your stress. They are generally used to manage specific situations that can trigger anxiety, such as public speaking or flying. They can be utilized in conjunction in conjunction with therapy to treat anxiety disorders, or as a long-term daily medicine.
Beta blockers can cause a range of adverse reactions because of their way of working, which includes bradycardia, hypotension, and various other conditions. They can also cause you to feel shaken and sweaty. Certain people who suffer from COPD (chronic obstruction of the lung) or diabetes should not use them.
Despite the negative side effects, beta blockers are still extensively studied and used. They have been on the market for years and are considered to be safe for the majority of adults. Comparatively, they are also reasonably affordable and readily available. For a lot of people who are concerned about the risk of side effects is a good trade-off to their effectiveness.
Beta-blockers are a great alternative for people with moderate to mild anxiety. They are more effective than benzodiazepines, which are ideal for those suffering from severe or life-threatening anxiety disorders. I Am Psychiatry 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 the flight or speech. In addition to helping reduce anxiety, they may help you sleep better and control your blood sugar.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
Monoamine Oxase inhibitors (MAOIs) inhibit the enzyme that breaks down monoamine neurotransmitters. They block the breakdown of serotonin, melatonin, epinephrine, and norepinephrine in neurons and increase their ability to transmit. They are most commonly used as antidepressants, but they also have some effectiveness in treating anxiety disorders. They can be taken alone or together. They are also used to treat Parkinson's disease as well as other conditions. Eugenol is an essential oil that is found in the bud, leaf, and stem of clove (Syzygium aromaticum) and in the bark of cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum). In a test tube, Eugenol was found to block MAOI activity and may negatively interact with these medications.
MAOIs can have severe side effects, and therefore they aren't the first medicines that doctors recommend for treating depression or anxiety. They are typically reserved for those who haven't had a response to other medications. They are also used to treat a variety of disorders, including Fibromyalgia and Parkinson's disease. They can cause low blood pressure when standing in a sitting or lying position, which is known as orthostatic hypotension.
MAOIs are commonly used to treat anxiety disorders as well as atypical depression and tranylcypromine. Phenelzine is used for atypical anxiety and depression. It has small studies on panic disorder. These drugs aren't as efficient as SSRIs for the majority of patients however, they can be effective in treating certain types of depression and anxiety disorders.
The more recent reversible MAOIs that are reversible like selegiline or moclobemide, are less harmful than the more irreversible MAOIs. They are more effective in increasing the levels of monoamines involved in depression disorders than older MAOIs. They are less likely to trigger hypertension, but they still have a risk of developing dependence on drugs.
Buspirone
Combining medication with psychological therapy is the most effective way to manage anxiety. The use of medication can alleviate symptoms, but they should be taken only under the supervision of a physician. There are a myriad of medications that can be used to treat anxiety. They may be different for each person. Talk to your doctor about your symptoms and he'll prescribe the best medication for you.
Buspirone is an FDA-approved anxiety medication that works by altering the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine. This helps reduce anxiety and mood symptoms, but it doesn't cause sedation or impair cognitive function. It is less likely to be habit-forming than other sedatives such as benzodiazepines. This makes it a good option for those who wish to reduce their anxiety but don't wish to use drugs such as Xanax.
SSRIs and SNRIs are generally the first option for treating generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). They are antidepressants that increase the levels of serotonin in a person and can help regulate mood. These are often prescribed along with anxiety medication like benzodiazepines. They are rarely prescribed for long periods of time because they are addictive and can cause negative side effects, such as drowsiness.
Psychological treatments for GAD such as medication have proven to be effective in the short-term and can 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 techniques to better control their depression and anxiety, which can help them manage symptoms and live a full life. A lot of these treatments are accessible online, and some may be covered by insurance. For instance, Brightside is an online therapy service that offers a range of anxiety and depression treatments, including CBT.