How Treat Anxiety Arose To Be The Top Trend In Social Media

Meds That Treat Anxiety

Anxiety affects more than 40 million adults in the United States. There are a variety of medications available to treat it.

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 commonly used anxiety medication is selective serotonin inhibits (SSRIs) comprising citalopram, escitalopram, and fluoxetine. These medications can also treat depression, and they can ease symptoms associated with other anxiety disorders, like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It could take up to one month for them to begin working.

These drugs help by increasing the levels of certain chemical transmitters in the brain. This includes serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. They are usually the first option for anxiety, but doctors also employ other kinds of antidepressants as well as benzodiazepines.

Another class of antidepressants called serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) like duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor) are used to treat anxiety. They differ from SSRIs as they reduce norepinephrine, but at a lower rate than SSRIs. These medicines take a long time to be effective and are more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) such as imipramine (Tofranil), can be effective in treating some anxiety disorders, including GAD. However their drowsiness as well as other side effects make them less well-known. Another form of antidepressant is monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are also able to be used to combat anxiety. Their high toxicity risk and the restriction on dietary intake restrict their use.

Benzodiazepines can be used to combat panic attacks and anxiety in the short-term in the meantime, while waiting for SSRIs and SNRIs. These drugs can trigger tolerance, sedation and addiction, and withdrawal reactions that include rebound anxiety, depression and even delusions. Benzodiazepines can be found in alprazolam as well as clonazepam and lorazepam.

Therapy is an essential part of any treatment for anxiety. It aids you in better be aware of your symptoms and reasons. Many people discover that both therapy and medication aid them manage their anxiety. Certain studies have demonstrated that cognitive behavioral therapy can be just as effective as medications for anxiety. Talk with your doctor about your options and determine what might be best for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines have a calming effect they reduce anxiety and relax muscles that are tense. They also ease symptoms of fear-related bodily arousal (like heart rate, trembling and shaking) and help promote sleep.

They work by binding to inhibitory neurons, like GABA or gamma aminobutryic acids at receptors in the central nervous system. They increase the effects of GABA by facilitating the inhibitory effect of GABA on other neurotransmitters, and by reducing the volume of messages sent to the amygdala. This is a part of the brain that evaluates threats and creates a sense of anxiety.

These medications are typically employed for short periods of time, such as during panic attacks or an anxiety episode. They can help relieve symptoms in 30 to 60 minutes. Unlike SSRIs they don't stay in the body for very long. They are fast-acting and often take effect in just a couple of hours, making them ideal for situations when you require quick relief (like during a flight or before giving an event in public).

As they are addictive, patients are usually only prescribed them up to four weeks at a go. After that they also lose their effectiveness.

One of the main reasons benzodiazepines became so popular is that they worked and had few side effects when compared with their predecessors, such as meprobamate and barbiturates. They have a quick start of action and are extremely effective as anxiolytics (anti-anxiety) as well as sedatives and anticonvulsants, as well as for muscle relaxants.

Benzos were blamed for the negative attitudes towards anxiety that developed in the 1970s and 80s, including the minimization of the disorder, and the belief that benzodiazepine treatment can lead to physical dependence. However they play a significant role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, specifically in combination with psychosocial interventions like cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy.

Benzos can interact with other medications, causing unwanted side effects, like drowsiness or confusion. It is recommended to inform your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription or herbal medication you are currently taking or are planning to take. Check the British National Formulary A to Z list of interactions with medications to find out which medicines are safe to take with benzodiazepines.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants are effective in treating anxiety and other mental conditions. 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 a variety of antidepressants to treat other conditions as well, including eating disorders, certain types of pain, and bipolar disorder.

SSRIs are often prescribed as a first-line treatment for anxiety by doctors, but they might not work for everyone. If these antidepressants don't work the doctor might suggest an older version called a tetracyclic or tricyclic antidepressant. These include amitriptyline, nortriptyline, clomipramine and trimipramine, dothiepin, doxepin or imipramine. These antidepressants are less common but they are still available. Your doctor can prescribe the antidepressant with a sedating effect, trazodone (Desyrel) at lower doses to treat anxiety or insomnia.

Nefazodone, a.k.a Ferdinand (Cymbalta), and duloxetine can also be useful. These drugs are also available in generic form. If they do not work, your doctor may suggest the sedating antidepressant mirtazapine (Remeron) or the antipsychotics olanzapine and quetiapine.

Beta blockers are used to treat anxiety disorders. They reduce blood pressure and heart rate by blocking adrenaline. These medications aren't typically used to treat anxiety alone however they can be effective when used in conjunction with psychotherapy.

Psychotherapy can help you change negative thoughts and behaviors that can cause anxiety. It can teach you to manage your anxiety and develop how to cope. Depending on the severity of your condition exposure therapy or cognitive behavior therapy could be suggested. Cognitive behavioural therapy teaches you to challenge fears and thoughts that are harmful, and overcome your fear of situations that trigger anxiety. The process involves increasing the intensity of anxiety provoking situations until they are manageable. This can be done individually or in a small group. In both instances, results can take a while to show. A combination of medication and psychological therapy is the best choice for certain people. Some people find that taking medication alone is enough to manage symptoms. It is important to inform your doctor what you're doing to control your symptoms.

Other Medications

Although benzodiazepines and antidepressants are the most common treatments for anxiety, other medications can ease your symptoms as well. Antihistamines and beta blockers are often prescribed to ease anxiety.

These medications can help alleviate your symptoms by lowering or blocking the signals that cause anxiety and stress. They're not a cure-all.  anxiety self-help 'll need to do things to manage anxiety, like exercises relaxation techniques, relaxation techniques and psychological therapy.

The SSRIs or SNRIs are often the first choice of anxiety medication that your doctor may prescribe. These are the most effective drugs for treating anxiety disorders according to research studies. The most commonly used SSRIs include sertraline (Zoloft) as well as fluoxetine (Prozac), Citropram (Celexa), and escitalopram (Lexapro). These drugs may cause minor adverse effects, like insomnia or nausea, but they typically subside within 4-8 weeks. They aren't addictive and they do not increase the risk of suicidal ideas.

The benzodiazepines such as alprazolam diazepoxide, and clonazepam (Valium) offer immediate relief from anxiety and panic attacks. However, they can cause adverse effects, including drowsiness and dizziness. They may also cause memory and coordination issues, and even dependence. They're not as popular than the barbiturates of the past, but are just as efficient.

Antihistamines, like Vistaril (hydroxyzine), were designed to help with allergies, but they're also sometimes used to ease anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine can have a calming effect by blocking the histamine receptors. It is not a controlled drug and therefore does not carry the same risk of addiction as benzodiazepines.

Another type of medication that may help with anxiety is a class called anticonvulsants. They've been shown to relieve anxiety by affecting the production and release of dopamine and serotonin. They can be prescribed in combination with other drugs or as a temporary treatment for anxiety. Your doctor will evaluate your symptoms and health history to determine if these drugs are right for you. They will also discuss the length of time you'll need these medicines and any potential adverse effects that could occur. Anxiety medication is only available on prescription, and you'll need a psychiatrist to prescribe it.