Anxiety Treatments Medication
Anxiety can interfere with everyday life, which is why it's crucial to seek help if you have extreme anxiety. Lifestyle changes, such as lessening your stress and engaging in regular physical activity are among the options for treatment. Your doctor may recommend psychological therapy.
FDA approved a variety of medications to treat anxiety disorders. These include SNRIs and SSRIs that affect the neurotransmitter serotonin. Anticonvulsants, such as pregabalin, can reduce anxiety as well by altering the GABA receptor.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines are a class of drugs that act on the nervous system to produce a calming effect. They work by increasing effects of a brain neurotransmitter referred to as gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA). GABA blocks nerve activity in the spine and brain cord and helps to reduce anxiety.
In contrast to antidepressants that can take weeks to begin working, benzodiazepines have the ability to relieve anxiety symptoms quickly. However, benzodiazepines have an increased risk of dependency and abuse. The body becomes accustomed to benzodiazepines once they are used regularly. This could lead to physical dependence. The use of benzodiazepines is a successful treatment when other options don't work or are not available.
While benzodiazepines can be a powerful medication for anxiety, it is important to consult with your doctor prior to using them. They can help you identify the root of your anxiety and discuss alternative treatments that might be more suitable. For instance, talking therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy can help you address the root of your anxiety and teach you strategies for coping.
Benzodiazepines don't typically come first in the treatment of anxiety disorders because they can cause dangerous effects when combined with other substances or alcohol. They are also addicting and carry a high overdose risk. The first benzodiazepines came out in the 1950s, starting with chlordiazepoxide (Librium, Limbitrol) followed by diazepam (Valium) and lorazepam (Ativan). All of these drugs carry an in-box warning stating that they can cause serious side effects, including severe sleepiness and breathing problems.
SSRIs
SSRIs are a category of antidepressant medications that is usually the first choice for people who suffer from anxiety. These medications boost the levels of certain chemical messengers, such as serotonin (and norepinephrine) in the brain. They also regulate other vital chemicals, such as those that regulate sleep and mood and decrease stress hormones in the body. Prozac is the most commonly prescribed SSRI. Other SSRIs include Lexapro, Zoloft, and Paxil as well as SNRIs such as Effexor XR, Cymbalta, and Pristiq.
Experts aren't quite sure how SSRIs treat anxiety however they do know that the drugs improve your brain's functioning. They increase BDNF (brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor) levels, boost the number of glial cells (brain cells that help nourish and protect neurons), and increase serotonin levels. It's unclear what is the exact mechanism of these supplements is however, it could be a combination of elements.
SSRIs as with other kinds of medications, can take up to a month to begin working. They require regular treatment in order to maintain their effectiveness. They can trigger adverse effects, including diarrhea and nausea. Some men may notice a decline in libido or sodium levels. Your doctor will determine the duration of time that you must take them based upon your symptoms and other treatments you're using. They might suggest that you continue taking them for six to twelve months or work with your to stop the tapering and stop the medication. They may also suggest other therapies, like psychotherapy, herbs and supplements that treat anxiety-related symptoms like Vistaril for itching, or chamomile to help sleep.
Beta-blockers
Beta-blockers (also called beta-adrenergic blocks) prevent adrenaline from binding with your heart's receptors. This helps your heart relax and lowers blood pressure. They are prescribed to treat anxiety, and can be an alternative to traditional psychiatric drugs that have negative side effects.
While beta-blockers may help to reduce physical symptoms of anxiety, they do not tackle the root reasons behind your stress. They are typically used to deal with certain situations that cause anxiety, like public speaking or flying. They can be utilized in conjunction together with therapy to treat anxiety disorders, or as a long-term, daily treatment.
Due to the way they work beta blockers can cause several side effects, including bradycardia and hypotension. You might also feel shakey or sweaty. Certain people suffering from asthma, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), or diabetes should not take them.
Despite their side effects, beta blockers are still extensively studied and used. They've been on market for a long time and are considered safe for a majority of adults. In comparison, they are reasonably affordable and readily available. For many taking them, the risk of adverse effects is a worthwhile trade-off for their effectiveness.
Beta-blockers as a part of an anxiety treatment plan is a good option for people suffering from moderate to mild anxiety. They are more effective than benzodiazepines, which are ideal for severe or life-threatening anxiety disorders. However, they will not solve the root of the problem. They are ideal for anxiety that is short-term for instance, prior to major events like an airplane flight or speech. In addition to reducing anxiety, they can help you sleep better and regulate your blood sugar.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) block the enzyme responsible for breaking down monoamine neurotransmitters. They block the breakdown of serotonin the melatonin hormone, epinephrine and norepinephrine within neurons and increase their ability to transmit. They are most well-known as effective antidepressants and possess some effectiveness in treating anxiety disorders. They can be taken alone or together. They are also used to treat Parkinson's disease and other conditions. Eugenol is an essential oil that is found in the the bud, leaf, and stem of clove (Syzygium aromaticum) and in the bark of cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum). Eugenol has been proven to inhibit MAOI in a test tube and may interact with these medications.
MAOIs can have severe adverse effects, which is why they aren't the first medications that doctors recommend for treating depression or anxiety. They are typically prescribed for those who have failed to respond to other medications. They are also used to manage a range of other conditions, such as the fibromyalgia and Parkinson's diseases. They can cause low pressure when you get up from a sitting or lying position. This is known as orthostatic hypertension.
MAOIs are widely used to treat panic disorder as well as atypical depression and tranylcypromine. Phenelzine is used to treat the treatment of atypical anxiety and depression. It has small studies on panic disorder. These medications aren't as powerful as SSRIs however they can be beneficial in treating certain types of depression and anxiety disorders.
The more recent reversible MAOIs that are reversible, such as selegiline and moclobemide are more secure than the older irreversible MAOIs. They are also more effective than the older MAOIs at increasing the levels of monoamines involved in depressive disorders. They are less likely than older MAOIs to cause high blood pressure, but still carry a risk of developing pharmacological dependency.
Buspirone
For those suffering from anxiety, a combination of medication and psychological therapies is often the best option for treatment. Certain medications can ease symptoms however they should be taken only under a doctor's supervision. There are a myriad of medications that can be used to combat anxiety. They may be different for each individual. To determine which one is right for you, talk to your doctor and explain your symptoms.
Buspirone is an FDA-approved medication, works by regulating neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine. This reduces mood and anxiety symptoms, but it does not cause sedation or impair cognitive functioning. It's also less likely to become habit-forming than other sedatives like benzodiazepines. This makes it a great choice for people who want to control their anxiety but don't want to take drugs like Xanax.
SSRIs and SNRIs are usually the first line of treatment for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). These antidepressants can help regulate mood and boost serotonin levels. These are often prescribed along with anxiety medications like benzodiazepines. They are rarely prescribed for prolonged durations of time due to the fact that they can be addictive and have negative side effects, such as drowsiness.
Apart from medication and psychological treatments, psychological treatments for GAD have been shown to be efficient in the short-term and can improve outcomes over time. These include cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) exposure therapy, as well as creative or artistic therapies. Psychological therapy can help patients learn techniques to better manage their anxiety and depression. This can allow them to live a more full life and reduce symptoms. Additionally that a lot of these treatments are accessible online and could be covered by insurance. Brightside is one example. It is an online therapy program that provides CBT as well as other treatments for depression and anxiety.