10 Treat Anxiety Tricks All Experts Recommend

Meds That Treat Anxiety

Anxiety is among the most prevalent mental health problems, affecting 40 million adults in the United States. It is extremely treatable, and there are 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 common anxiety medications are selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) which include citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro) and fluoxetine (Prozac). These medications can also help with depression, and can ease symptoms associated with other anxiety disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). They may take up to a month before they begin working.

These drugs increase the production of certain chemical messengers in the brain, including serotonin and norepinephrine. They are usually the first option for anxiety, though doctors may also prescribe other kinds of antidepressants as well as benzodiazepines.

Another class of antidepressants, known as serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) like duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor), are also used to treat anxiety. They differ from SSRIs because they decrease norepinephrine but at a lower level than SSRIs. These medicines take a long time to work and are more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), such as imipramine (Tofranil), are effective in treating certain anxiety disorders, notably GAD. Their drowsiness, as well as other side effects are what make them less well-liked. Another type of antidepressant, monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs), can also be used to combat anxiety. However, their restrictions on diet and the high risk of toxicity limit their use.

Benzodiazepines are commonly used to combat anxiety and panic attacks in the short term for instance, when waiting for SSRIs or SNRIs to take effect. These drugs can trigger tolerance addiction, sedation as well as withdrawal reactions that may cause anxiety, depression and even delusions. Benzodiazepines can be found in alprazolam, clonazepam, and lorazepam.

Therapy is an essential component of a treatment plan for anxiety, as it helps you understand your symptoms and the causes. Many people discover that both therapy and medication help to manage anxiety. Certain studies have proven that cognitive behavioral therapy is as effective as medication for anxiety. Talk with your physician about your options and what might be best for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines have a calming affect that reduces anxiety and relaxes muscles that are tense. They also alleviate symptoms of bodily arousal related to fear (like heart racing and trembling) and help promote sleep.

The way they work is by binding to inhibitory neurotransmitters like gamma-aminobutryic acids or GABA and interacting with receptors in the central nervous system.  generalized anxiety treatment  increase the effects of GABA by facilitating the inhibitory effect of GABA on other neurotransmitters and decreasing the amount of messages that are sent to the amygdala. It is a part of the brain that is able to detect threats and creates a sense of anxiety.

These medicines are often employed for short periods of time for instance, during a panic attack or severe anxiety episode. They may help relieve the symptoms within 30 to 90 minutes after taking them. Benzodiazepines, unlike SSRIs do not stay in the body long. They're fast-acting and can be used within a couple of hours. This makes them perfect for situations when immediate relief is needed (such as during an airplane ride or before a presentation in public).

They are addictive, and people are generally only prescribed them for up to four weeks at each time. They also lose their effectiveness after a certain period of time.

One of the reasons the benzodiazepines became so well-known is that they were effective and had few side effects when compared with their predecessors like meprobamate or barbiturates. They are effective and have a rapid onset and can be used as anxiolytics to reduce anxiety. They can also be used as sedatives, anticonvulsants, and muscle relaxants.

Benzos were blamed for negative attitudes towards anxiety that developed during the 1970s and 80s which included the reduction of the disorder and the belief that benzodiazepine treatment can lead to physical dependence. Despite this however, benzodiazepines still play a crucial role in the treatment for anxiety disorders, especially when they are combined with psychosocial interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy or interpersonal therapies.

Benzos can interact with other drugs and cause unwanted side-effects, such as drowsiness, confusion or drowsiness. You should tell your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription or herbal medications that you currently use or plan to take. You can find out which medications are safe to use with benzodiazepines through the British National Formulary A-Z list of medication interactions.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants can be effective in treating anxiety and other mental disorders. 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 for other health ailments, too, such as eating disorders, certain kinds of pain, and bipolar disorder.

Most doctors recommend SSRIs as the first line treatment for anxiety, however these drugs may not be suitable for everyone. If these antidepressants don't work the doctor might suggest an older form of medication called a tetracyclic or tricyclic antidepressant. These include amitriptyline and nortriptyline, clomipramine and dothiepin, doxepin, trimipramine or imipramine. These antidepressants aren't as common but still accessible. You may also ask your doctor to prescribe the sedating antidepressant trazodone(Desyrel) in lower doses in case you are having sleep problems or anxiety.

Nefazodone, also known as Ferdinand (Cymbalta), and duloxetine are also useful. These medications are also available in generic forms. If they do not work, your doctor may suggest the antidepressant that is sedating, mirtazapine (Remeron) or the antipsychotics olanzapine and quetiapine.

Medications for other anxiety disorders include beta blockers that reduce the heart rate and blood pressure by blocking the action of adrenaline. These drugs aren't commonly used for anxiety alone however they can be helpful when used in conjunction with psychological therapy.

Psychological therapy can help you overcome negative thoughts and behavior patterns that can cause anxiety. It will help you learn to control your anxiety, and develop coping skills. Depending on your condition, you might be treated with cognitive behavioural therapy or exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioural therapy teaches you to overcome negative and fearful thoughts and to overcome your aversion to situations which trigger anxiety. The process involves increasing the level of anxiety-inducing situations until they become manageable. This can be done in a single session or in a small group. In both cases, it takes time to demonstrate results. Some people believe that a combination of psychotherapy and medication is the best option. Some people find that medication alone is enough to manage symptoms. Tell your doctor how you manage your symptoms.

Other Medicines

Other medications can also help relieve your symptoms. Beta blockers and antihistamines are sometimes prescribed to relieve anxiety.

These drugs can help you reduce your symptoms, by lowering or blocking the signals that trigger stress and fear. However, they're not a cure all. You'll still have to take steps to control anxiety, such as exercises, relaxation techniques and psychotherapy.

Your doctor could first prescribe one of the "first choice" anxiety medications, which are SSRIs and SNRIs. These are the most effective drugs for treating anxiety disorders according to research studies. SSRIs are usually found in sertraline (Zoloft) as well as Citropram, fluoxetine, and escitalopram. These medications may cause mild side effects such as insomnia and nausea, but they usually disappear within 4-8 weeks. In contrast to benzodiazepines, these are not addictive and won't increase your risk of having suicidal thoughts.

The benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam, diazepoxide and clonazepam (Valium), provide immediate relief from anxiety and panic attacks. However, they may cause adverse effects, including drowsiness and dizziness. They may also cause problems with coordination and memory, and may even cause dependence. They're less well-known than the barbiturates of the past, however, they're equally efficient.

Antihistamines like Vistaril (hydroxyzine), were developed to relieve allergies, but they're also sometimes used to reduce anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine block histamine receptors within the brain and may cause an energizing effect. It is not a controlled drug, so it doesn't have the same risk of addiction as benzodiazepines.

Anticonvulsants are a different type of medication which can help with anxiety. They have been found to reduce anxiety through blocking the production and release dopamine and sérotonin. These medications can be prescribed as a part of an integrated therapy or to treat anxiety in the short term. Your doctor will examine your medical history and symptoms to determine if these medications are suitable for you. They will also discuss the length of time you should take these medicines and any potential negative side effects that might occur. Anxiety medication is only available on prescription, so you'll need to see an astrologer to obtain these medications.