Medications to Treat Anxiety
Although therapy is the best treatment for anxiety, sometimes an infrequent course of medication is required. Treatment options for anxiety include tranquilizers and antidepressants.
SSRI antidepressants such as citalopram, sertraline, and escitalopram can reduce anxiety. SNRIs that focus on the chemicals serotonin as well as norepinephrine could be effective.
SSRIs
SSRIs are typically the first medication prescribed by doctors to treat anxiety disorders. They prevent neurons in the brain from reabsorbing serotonin, a chemical that plays a crucial role in regulating mood. The drugs take a while to begin working, but most people experience improvement within about 4 to 6 weeks. SSRIs do not form a habit and are not addictive, so they can be used for a long duration.
Another type of antidepressant, SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), also treats depression and anxiety. Examples of SNRIs are citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro) and fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil) and sertraline (Zoloft). Tricyclic antidepressants such as imipramine (Tofranil) and the doxepine (Anxiety Disorder Stimulant) also treat depression and anxiety. New antidepressants like mirtazapine (Remeron) are also used to treat anxiety disorders.
Doctors don't know how SSRIs or SNRIs function, but they know that they increase the activity of chemical messengers known as neurotransmitters in the brain. They stop the brain from reabsorbing these chemicals and permit them to bind to their receptors.
SSRIs are used to treat generalized anxiety disorder, GAD; obsessive-compulsive disorder, OCD; panic disorder/agoraphobia; and posttraumatic stress disorder, PTSD. They can also be helpful with bulimia, however it is not as common.
People suffering from anxiety who do not respond to SSRIs may be prescribed an antipsychotic atypical drug. Examples include quetiapine (Abilify), and aripiprazole (Risperdal). These drugs reduce anxiety in people with obsessive compulsive disorder. They are often given in conjunction with an antidepressant. they are less likely of serious side effects compared to other types of antipsychotics.
Beta-blockers are also prescribed to treat anxiety and heart issues. Examples are propranolol (Inderal) and atenolol (Tenormin). They can help reduce physical symptoms of anxiety in those with social anxiety disorder. They can also aid in reducing anxiety before or after surgery, and for certain chronic pain issues. The benzodiazepines, including lorazepam or Ativan (Ativan) are able to be utilized when other treatments do not work. The use of benzodiazepines can become addictive and can be habit-forming.
SNRIs
SNRIs are an antidepressant medication which is commonly prescribed to combat anxiety. They work similarly to SSRIs but they also increase the availability of serotonin and norepinephrine within the brain. In turn, they are usually more effective at treating certain kinds of anxiety disorders, such as panic disorder and social anxiety disorder. Like other medications, they work best when they are combined with therapy for talk and other treatment strategies.
Contrary to the benzodiazepines, SNRIs don't create dependence or addiction in most people. Some sufferers may experience withdrawal symptoms stopping a medication after long-term use. Due to this, it is crucial to talk with your doctor before stopping any medication.
Serotonin and norepinephrine are neurotransmitters that are responsible for stress and mood responses. Particularly, they play a key part in the fight or flight response that many people with anxiety experience. SNRIs stop nerve cells from rapidly mopping up these neurotransmitters, by preventing the process of reuptake. This way they hold these chemicals in the brain for longer, and as a consequence they have the potential to improve mood and reduce anxiety levels or help alleviate symptoms of panic attacks.
Norepinephrine also plays a role in anxiety, as it triggers the Amygdala. This is a very deep and primitive part of the brain that is linked to fearful behavior. SNRIs reduce the activity in this part of the brain. This can improve mood, anxiety and even help with panic attacks.
While these medications are extremely beneficial but it is important to note that they can come with a risk of increasing suicidal thoughts for some people. Because of this, they're usually prescribed at higher doses and for a short period of time. They can also interact with other drugs and substances. If you're taking any other prescription or over-the-counter medication, make sure to discuss this with your physician and keep them up-to-date on any medical conditions that you may have particularly heart issues and bleeding-related diseases. Be aware that some patients experience adverse reactions to SNRIs such as nausea and a dry mouth.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines, or benzos as they are commonly called are drugs that act quickly and reduce anxiety and other anxiety-related symptoms, like tension in the muscles and insomnia. Certain people suffering from anxiety disorders, such as social anxiety or panic disorder might find them beneficial particularly if they've not had success with other treatments like SSRIs and psychotherapy. They can be utilized as a temporary solution as you wait for your antidepressant medication to kick in. The medications diazepam (Valium) and lorazepam (Ativan) are the most popular benzos, although others include Clonazepam (Rivotril) and temazepam (Restoril) and flurazepam (Dalmane).
They usually start working within 30 minutes because they are quick-acting. They don't remain in the body very long, so they must be taken on a regular basis to get the full benefits. Benzos shouldn't be used for long periods because they can lead to physical dependence and addiction. Benzos are not recommended for people with depression or other anxiety disorders because they may increase the risk of developing those problems.
Benzo users who take them for an extended period of time with no medical supervision and often without the direction of a physician, may develop a condition called sedative-use disorders, which can include withdrawal symptoms and addiction. This problem is rare in those who take benzos as prescribed. Instead, the misuse of benzos is typically a result of other factors such as alcohol dependence and depression.
Taking benzodiazepines for the long-term can cause tolerance to their effects on sedation. When you become tolerant, it takes more and more of the medication to achieve the same effect. In some cases it can result in respiratory depression, coma and death. Even if you're taking benzodiazepines for a prolonged time, it is important to follow the prescription.
Other Medicines
SSRIs and SNRIs are the first medications doctors will typically prescribe to treat anxiety. They affect serotonin which is responsible for mood, appetite, and sleep. They may take a long time to begin effect, ranging from to 12 weeks, and can cause certain side effects, such as nausea or insomnia. SSRIs are also used to treat other mental health conditions like depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and panic disorder. Antidepressants, unlike benzodiazepines, do not cause physical dependence. However, they could cause withdrawal symptoms if they are abruptly stopped.
Medications in this class include sertraline (Zoloft) as well as the fluoxetine (Prozac) and citalopram (Celexa). They can be taken on their own or in combination with therapy. Antidepressants are prescribed by psychiatrists, psychologists or family physicians who have specialized training in the management of medications.
Doctors may also prescribe a class of antidepressants known as monoamine oxidase inhibitors or MAOIs. These drugs inhibit the action of certain enzymes which break down chemicals such as serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. MAOIs can take up to four weeks to start working however they aren't as fast-acting than SSRIs.
Another medication to manage anxiety is clonidine. This is used to lower high blood pressure but is not widely used to treat anxiety. Its effectiveness is limited due to adverse effects like hypotension and sedation. Doctors can prescribe antihistamines like hydroxyzine, to reduce symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks. Certain patients may also experience a reduction in the effectiveness of benzodiazepines.
social anxiety treatment Iam Psychiatry is typically treated with a combination of psychotherapy exercise and medication. The most effective approach is working with an expert therapist who is skilled in treating anxiety disorders. They can assist you in identifying the root cause of anxiety and recommend ways to manage it without medication, if needed. Other options for anxiety treatment that don't require medication include eye movement desensitization mindfulness meditation and Yoga that is trauma-informed. Speak to your therapist to determine the best option for you. Psychiatrists are trained to evaluate your medical history, symptoms, and develop an appropriate treatment plan for anxiety that is right for you. They will consider your specific medical history and preferences when preparing this plan and make changes to it as they go along.