Anxiety Treatments Medication
If you are suffering with anxiety or panic attacks, it is important to seek out professional help. Treatment options include lifestyle changes, such as decreasing stress and engaging in regular physical activity. Your doctor may suggest psychotherapy.
The FDA has approved several medicines for anxiety disorders, including the SSRIs and SNRIs that impact the neurotransmitter serotonin. Anticonvulsants such as pregabalin can help reduce anxiety by altering GABA receptors.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines help to calm the nervous system by acting on it. They work by increasing effects of a brain neurotransmitter referred to as gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA). GABA blocks the function of nerves in the brain and spinal cord, and therefore helps to reduce anxiety.
In contrast to antidepressants that can take weeks to begin working, benzodiazepines can be used to relieve anxiety symptoms quickly. However, benzodiazepines come with high risks of abuse and dependence. The body becomes accustomed to benzodiazepines after regular use. This can lead to physical dependence. They can be a powerful treatment when other options aren't working or are not available.
Although benzodiazepines are an effective medication for anxiety, it's important to speak with your doctor prior to using these medications. They can help you determine the root of your anxiety and discuss alternative treatments that might be more appropriate. Talking therapies like cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), exposure therapy, and others can help you identify the root of anxiety. They can also teach you techniques for coping.
Benzodiazepines are not typically utilized as the first choice for treating anxiety disorders because they can have dangerous side effects when combined with alcohol or other narcotics. They can also be addictive and have a high overdose risk. The first benzodiazepines were introduced in the 1950s with chlordiazepoxide (Librium, Limbitrol) followed by diazepam (Valium) and lorazepam (Ativan). All of these drugs have a black box warning that warns that they may cause serious or life-threatening side effects including extreme sleepiness, breathing issues or coma and even death when combined with opioids or illegal drugs.
SSRIs
SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are a class of antidepressant medications and are the first choice for a lot of people with anxiety. They boost the levels of certain chemical messengers within the brain, particularly serotonin and norepinephrine. They also regulate other essential chemicals, like those that control sleep and mood and decrease the level of stress hormones in your body. The most commonly prescribed SSRI for anxiety is fluoxetine, which is more commonly known under the brand name Prozac. Other SSRIs include Lexapro, Zoloft, and Paxil as well as SNRIs such as Effexor XR, Cymbalta, and Pristiq.
Experts aren't certain exactly how SSRIs treat anxiety but they do know the drugs enhance the brain's function. They boost BDNF (brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor) levels, increase the number of the number of glial cells (brain cells that support, nourish and protect neurons) and increase serotonin levels. It's not clear what the exact mechanism of these supplements is, but it could be a combination of different factors.
SSRIs like other types of medications, can take up to a month to start working. They require regular treatments to maintain their effectiveness. They may cause side effects such as nausea and diarrhea. Some men may experience a decrease in libido and sodium levels. Your doctor will determine the length of time you should take them based on your symptoms and other treatments you are using. They might suggest that you take them for six to twelve months or work with you to stop the tapering and stop the medication. They may also suggest other treatments such as psychotherapy, herbal remedies and supplements to combat anxiety-related symptoms. For instance, Vistaril can be used to treat itching, or chamomile to help you sleep.
Beta-blockers
Beta-blockers, also known as beta-adrenergic blocking agents, prevent adrenaline from binding to your heart's receptors. medication to treat anxiety relaxes the heart and lowers blood pressure. They are prescribed to treat anxiety, and can be alternative to traditional psychiatric drugs that have side effects.
Beta-blockers may reduce anxiety-related physical symptoms, but they don't address the mental reasons for stress. They are typically used to manage certain situations that trigger anxiety, like speaking in public and flying. They can be combined in conjunction with therapy to treat anxiety disorders, or as a long-term daily medicine.
Due to the way they work, beta blockers can have several negative effects, including bradycardia and hypotension. They can cause you to feel shaken and sweaty. Certain people who suffer from COPD (chronic obstruction of the lung) or diabetes should not use them.
Beta blockers are widely studied and used despite their side effects. They've been in the market for decades and are considered to be safe for adults. They are also fairly inexpensive and easily accessible when compared with other drugs. For many people who are concerned about the risk of side effects is a worthwhile trade-off for their effectiveness.
Beta-blockers are a great option for mild to moderate anxiety. They can be more effective than benzodiazepines, which are better for those with severe or life-threatening anxiety disorders. However, they will not solve your underlying problem and are ideal for anxiety that is short-term for instance, prior to a major event such as an airplane flight or speech. In addition to helping reduce anxiety, they may also help you sleep better and regulate your blood sugar.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
Monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs) block the enzyme that breaks down monoamine neurotransmitters. They block the breakdown of serotonin, Melatonin, epinephrine, as well as norepinephrine within neurons and increase their ability to transmit. They are typically used in the form of antidepressants, but they also have some effectiveness in anxiety disorders. They can be used as a stand-alone or in conjunction with other medication. They are also used to treat Parkinson's disease and certain other conditions. Eugenol is an essential oil found in buds, leaves, and the stem of clove (Syzygium aromaticum) and in the bark of cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum). Eugenol has been found to inhibit MAOI in a test tube, and could interact with these drugs.
MAOIs can have severe adverse effects, which is why they are not the first medicines that doctors recommend for depression or anxiety. They are typically prescribed for those who are unable to respond to other medication. They can also be used to manage a variety of other conditions, such as the fibromyalgia and Parkinson's diseases. They can cause low blood pressure when standing from a lying or sitting in a sitting position, a condition known as orthostatic hypotension.
Typical MAOIs include phenelzine, tranylcypromine, and isocarboxazid. Phenelzine has been studied in a small way in panic disorder and is the medication of choice for atypical depression, while tranylcypromine is been recommended for its favorable side effects. These drugs are not as effective as SSRIs for the majority of patients however, they can be beneficial in treating certain kinds of anxiety and depression.
The newer reversible MAOIs like selegiline and moclobemide, are less harmful than the older irreversible MAOIs. They are also more effective than older MAOIs at increasing the levels of monoamines involved in depressive disorders. They are less likely to cause a high blood pressure reaction but they are at risk of causing dependence on drugs.
Buspirone
Combining therapy with medication is the best method to combat anxiety. The use of medications can reduce symptoms but only under the supervision of a doctor. There are a myriad of medications that can be used to combat anxiety. They may work differently for each individual. Talk to your doctor about your symptoms and he'll prescribe the appropriate medication for you.
Buspirone, an FDA-approved anxiety drug, works by modulating neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin. This helps reduce anxiety and mood symptoms, but it doesn't cause sedation or interfere with cognitive function. It is also less likely to become more habit-forming than other sedatives like benzodiazepines. This makes it a great choice for people who want to control their anxiety but don't wish to use drugs such as Xanax.
SSRIs and SNRIs are generally the first treatment option for people suffering from generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). These antidepressants can help regulate mood and increase levels of serotonin. They are typically used in conjunction with other anxiety medications such as benzodiazepines. They are not usually prescribed for prolonged periods of time as they can be addictive and cause side effects such as drowsiness.
Apart from the use of 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) as well as exposure therapy, and art or creative therapies. Psychological therapy can help patients develop strategies to manage their anxiety and depression. This will allow them to live a fuller life and reduce symptoms. In addition that many of these treatments are accessible online and are covered by insurance. For example, Brightside is an online therapy service that offers various treatments for depression and anxiety that include CBT.