10 Things That Everyone Is Misinformed About The Word "Treat Anxi…

Meds That Treat Anxiety

Anxiety is one of the most frequent mental health issues which affects more than 40 million people in the United States. It's extremely treatable with various types of medication available.

SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), like Zoloft, Prozac, Lexapro and Effexor, work to alleviate anxiety by raising levels of the chemical serotonin in the brain. They're not addictive, as are benzodiazepines.

SSRIs

The most popular anxiety medications are selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) which include citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro) and fluoxetine (Prozac). These medications also help with depression, and can alleviate the symptoms of other anxiety disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It could take up to a month for them to begin working.

These drugs work by increasing the amount of certain chemical transmitters that are present in the brain. This includes serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. They're typically the first treatment option for anxiety, however doctors also use other types of antidepressants and benzodiazepines.

Antidepressants, such as duloxetine (Cymbalta), and venlafaxine, (Effexor) are also used for anxiety. They are a bit different from SSRIs since they reduce norepinephrine, however at a lower rate than SSRIs. These medicines take a long time to take effect and are more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants, such as imipramine Tofranil, can be effective for treating anxiety disorders. However, their drowsiness and other adverse reactions are what is the treatment for anxiety disorder make them less popular. Another type of antidepressant, monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs) are also able to be used to treat anxiety. Their high toxicity risk and dietary restrictions make them unsuitable for use.

Benzodiazepines are frequently used to combat anxiety and panic attacks in the short term like when you wait for SSRIs or SNRIs to begin working. These drugs can lead to dependence to tolerance, sedation, and dependence, as well as withdrawal symptoms such as a depression, anxiety, and delirium. The most common benzodiazepines are alprazolam (Xanax) and Clonazepam (Klonopin) and lorazepam (Ativan).

Therapy is an essential part of any treatment plan for anxiety. It helps you to better understand your symptoms and their reasons. Many people find that both therapy and medication aid them cope with anxiety. In fact, some studies suggest that cognitive therapy works just as well as medication for anxiety. Talk to your doctor to find out what's right for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines produce an calming effect, which can reduce anxiety and relax muscles that are tense. They also reduce symptoms of bodily arousal due to fear (like heart racing and shaking) and help promote sleep.

The way they function is through binding to inhibitory neurotransmitters like gamma-aminobutryic acids or GABA, at receptors in the central nervous system. They increase the effects of GABA by facilitating its inhibitory effect on other neurotransmitters and decreasing the amount of messages that are that are transmitted to the amygdala, which is the brain's region that assesses threats and produces the sensation of fear.

These medications are sometimes taken for short durations for instance, during an attack of panic or a severe anxiety episode. They may relieve symptoms within 30 to 60 minutes. Benzodiazepines are, in contrast to SSRIs don't stay in the body for long. They're fast-acting and can be used within a couple of hours. This makes them perfect for situations when rapid relief is required (such for instance, on an airplane or before giving a presentation in public).

Because they can be addictive, people are typically prescribed for a period of up to four weeks at a go. They also lose their effectiveness after a period of time.

One of the main reasons benzodiazepines became so popular is they were efficient and had minimal side effects, when compared to their predecessors, like meprobamate and barbiturates. They are efficient and have a rapid start, and can be used as anxiolytics to reduce anxiety. They can also be used as sedatives, anticonvulsants, and muscle relaxants.

Benzos are often blamed for the negative attitudes toward anxiety that developed in the 1970s and 1980s. This included the denial of the disorder and the perception that benzodiazepine treatment leads to physical dependence. However they still play an important role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, particularly when used in combination with psychosocial interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy.

Benzos can interact with other medications and cause unwanted side-effects, like drowsiness or confusion. It's important to let your doctor be aware of any other prescription, non-prescription, or herbal medication you are contemplating or are taking. Check the British National Formulary A to Z list of interactions with medications to determine which medicines are safe to take with benzodiazepines.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants are effective in treating anxiety and mental illnesses. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, antidepressants -- like SSRIs and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) -- can help reduce chronic anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorders and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The FDA has approved antidepressants for other health issues, such as eating disorders, bipolar disorder and certain types of pain.

Most doctors recommend SSRIs as a first-line treatment for anxiety, however these medications may not be suitable for all people. If they don't work doctors can look at the more traditional antidepressant known as tricyclic or tetracyclic an antidepressant. These include amitriptyline, nortriptyline, clomipramine and trimipramine, dothiepin, doxepin or imipramine. They're not as popular as the latest antidepressants, but still accessible. You may ask your doctor to prescribe the sedating antidepressant trazodone(Desyrel), at lower doses if you're experiencing sleep issues or anxiety.

Other antidepressants that may help are the nefazodone (Ferdinand) and duloxetine (Cymbalta). They are also available in generic forms. If they don't help your doctor, he may suggest the antipsychotics quetiapine and Olanzapine or the tranquilizing antidepressant Mirtazapine.

Beta blockers are used to treat anxiety disorders. They reduce heart rate and blood pressure by blocking adrenaline. These drugs are not usually used to treat anxiety on their own however they can be effective when coupled with psychotherapy.

Psychological therapy can help you change negative thoughts and behavior patterns that cause anxiety. It will help you learn to control your anxiety treatment center, and develop coping skills. Based on the severity of your problem, exposure therapy or cognitive behavior therapy could be suggested. Cognitive behavioural therapy teaches you to challenge negative and fearful thoughts and to overcome your aversion to situations which trigger anxiety. The process involves increasing the level of anxiety provoking situations until they become manageable. It can be carried out in a group or individually. In both cases, it takes time to demonstrate results. Some people believe that the combination of medication and psychotherapy is the best option. Some people find that medication alone is enough to manage their symptoms. It's important to tell your doctor what you're doing to control your symptoms.

Other Medical Treatments

Although benzodiazepines and antidepressants are the most commonly prescribed treatment for anxiety, other drugs can help ease your symptoms too. Beta blockers and antihistamines are sometimes prescribed to relieve anxiety.

These drugs correct an imbalance in your brain chemicals and can help alleviate your symptoms by reducing or blocking the signals that trigger stress and fear. However, they're not the only solution. You'll still need to do other things to manage your anxiety, like exercises, relaxation techniques, and psychological therapy.

Your doctor might first prescribe one of the "first choices" anxiety medication, which includes SSRIs and SNRIs. They are the most effective medicines for treating anxiety disorders according to research studies. SSRIs are typically found in sertraline (Zoloft) and fluoxetine, citalopram, and escitalopram. These drugs can cause minor side effects, such as insomnia and nausea, however they usually disappear within 4-8 weeks. In contrast to benzodiazepines, these are not addictive and don't increase your risk of having suicidal thoughts.

The benzodiazepines such as alprazolam clonazepam, and diazepoxide, (Valium), provide immediate relief from anxiety and panic attacks. However, they could cause adverse effects, including drowsiness and dizziness. They can also cause memory and coordination issues, and may even cause dependence. These medications are less well-known than older barbiturates but are equally effective.

Antihistamines, such as Vistaril (hydroxyzine), were developed to relieve allergies however, they're also used to reduce anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine has a calming effect because it blocks histamine receptors. It is not a controlled drug and therefore does not carry the same risks of addiction as benzodiazepines.

Anticonvulsants are an additional kind of medication that can aid in reducing anxiety. They have been proven to reduce anxiety by interfering in the production and release of dopamine and sérotonin. They may be prescribed in conjunction with other medicines or as a short-term treatment for anxiety. Your doctor will assess your health history and symptoms to determine if these medicines are suitable for you. They will also discuss the length of time you'll need to take these medications and any adverse effects that could occur. Anxiety medication is only available through prescription, and a psychiatrist will be required to prescribe it.