Anxiety Treatments Medication
Anxiety can hinder your everyday life, which is why it's important to seek assistance if you are suffering from severe anxiety. Changes in your lifestyle, such as lessening your stress and taking part in regular physical exercise, are among the options for treatment. Your doctor may also suggest psychotherapy.
FDA approved a variety of medications to treat anxiety disorders. These include SSRIs and SNRIs that affect the neurotransmitter, serotonin. Pregabalin, an anticonvulsant, can decrease anxiety by affecting GABA receptors.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines help to calm the nervous system by acting upon it. They function by increasing the effects of a neurotransmitter named gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. GABA reduces nerve activity in the brain and spine cord and helps to reduce anxiety.
Benzodiazepines can relieve anxiety symptoms quickly, unlike antidepressants which may take a long time to work. However, benzodiazepines have high risks of abuse and dependence. This is because the body adjusts to benzodiazepines over time, which can lead to physical dependence. They can be a powerful treatment when other methods don't work or are not available.
Although benzodiazepines are an effective medication for anxiety, it is crucial to talk to your doctor prior to taking these medications. They can help you identify the root of your anxiety, and also discuss other options that could be more appropriate. Talking therapies like cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy, and others can help you to address the root causes of your anxiety. They will also teach you techniques for coping.
Benzodiazepines aren't usually the first in the treatment of anxiety disorders since they can have harmful effects when combined with other substances or alcohol. They are also addicting and carry 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 come with a black-box warning that warns they can cause life-threatening or serious side effects, including breathing problems and severe sleepiness.
SSRIs
SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are an antidepressant class, and they're the first choice for a lot of people who suffer from anxiety. These medications increase levels of certain chemical messengers in the brain, including serotonin and norepinephrine. They also regulate other important chemicals like those that control sleep and mood and decrease stress hormones within the body. The most frequently prescribed SSRI for anxiety is fluoxetine, better 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 sure exactly how SSRIs can help with anxiety, however they do know that the medications help improve the functioning of your brain. They increase the glial cell's function (these are the brain cells that help, nourish, insulate and protect your neurons) and increase BDNF levels (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) and boost levels of serotonin itself. It's not clear what the precise mechanism of action of these supplements is however, it could be a combination of factors.
As with other medications, SSRIs can take 1 month to begin working, and they require regular treatment to keep the benefits. They can cause side effects such as nausea and diarrhea. They can also lead to low sodium levels in some people, and they can affect libido for some men. Your physician will decide the time frame you should use them, based on your condition and other treatments you're taking. They may advise you to continue taking them for 6 to 12 months or work with you to decrease the dosage and end the medication. They may also suggest alternative treatments, including psychotherapy or herbs and supplements that can 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 to the heart's receptors. They relax the heart and lowers blood pressure. They are typically prescribed for anxiety and can be an excellent alternative to conventional psychotropic medications that have some negative side effects.
While beta-blockers can help reduce physical symptoms of anxiety, they do not address the underlying mental causes of your anxiety. They are typically used to control certain situations that trigger anxiety, like speaking in public and flying. They may be utilized in combination with therapy to treat the underlying anxiety disorder or on their own as long-term daily medication.
Beta blockers have a variety of adverse reactions due to their way of working, such as bradycardia, hypotension, and various other conditions. You may also feel shaky or sweaty. People with asthma, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) or diabetes shouldn't be taking them.
Despite their negative effects beta blockers are extensively studied and used. They've been available for a long time and are considered to be safe for adults. They're also reasonably priced and readily available compared to other medications. For a lot of people taking them, the risk of adverse effects is a good trade-off for their effectiveness.
Taking beta-blockers as part of an anxiety treatment plan is a good idea for those with moderate to mild anxiety. They are more effective than benzodiazepines which are best for those who suffer from severe or life-threatening anxiety disorders. They can't address the root of your problem, and are recommended for short-term anxiety such as prior to an important event, such as a flight or speech. In addition to reducing anxiety, they can also help you sleep better and control your blood sugar.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
Monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs) block the enzyme responsible for breaking down monoamine neurotransmitters. They increase the availability of serotonin as well as other neurotransmitters like epinephrine and melatonin for transmission by blocking their breakdown in neurons. They are mostly used as antidepressants, but they also have some effectiveness in treating anxiety disorders. They can be used as a single drug or together. They can also be used to treat Parkinson's and other conditions. Eugenol, an essential oil, can be found in the bud leaves, stems, and leaves of clove (Syzygium Aromaticum) and the cinnamon bark. In a test tube, Eugenol was found to block MAOI activity and may negatively interact with these medications.
MAOIs have severe adverse effects and aren't typically the first medication doctors prescribe to treat anxiety or depression. They are typically prescribed for patients who have failed to respond to other treatments. They are also used for many other disorders such as Parkinson's and fibromyalgia. They can cause low blood pressure when standing from a sitting or lying position, which is called orthostatic hypotension.
MAOIs are widely used to treat panic disorder, atypical depression, and tranylcypromine. Phenelzine has been studied in a small way in panic disorder and is the medication that is recommended for patients suffering from atypical depression, whereas tranylcypromine has been praised for its positive adverse effects. These drugs are not as potent as SSRIs, but can be useful in treating certain kinds of depression and anxiety disorders.
The more recent reversible MAOIs that are reversible like selegiline and moclobemide, are safer than the older irreversible MAOIs. They are more effective in increasing monoamine levels involved in depression disorders than older MAOIs. treatments for anxiety disorders are less likely than older MAOIs to cause high blood pressure, but still have a chance of developing a dependence on pharmacological drugs.
Buspirone
Combining therapy with medication is the best method to combat anxiety. Certain medications can ease symptoms, but they should be used only under a doctor's supervision. There are a variety of medications that can be used to combat anxiety. They can work differently for each person. To determine which one is right for you, talk to your doctor and discuss your symptoms.
Buspirone is an FDA-approved anxiety medication, works by regulating neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin. It can reduce anxiety and mood symptoms without the feeling of sedation. It is less likely to be more habit-forming than other sedatives, like benzodiazepines. This makes it a good option for those who wish to reduce their anxiety but don't wish to take drugs like Xanax.
SSRIs or SNRIs are often the first treatment option for generalized anxiety disorder. They are antidepressants that boost a person's serotonin levels and help regulate mood. They are usually prescribed along with anxiety medications such as benzodiazepines. They aren't usually prescribed for prolonged periods of time as they are addictive and can cause side effects such as drowsiness.
Psychological treatments for GAD that include medication have proven to be effective in the short-term and can improve the results over time. These include cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), art or creative therapy, and exposure therapy. Psychological therapy can help patients learn techniques to better manage depression and anxiety. This will allow them to live a more fulfilling life and manage symptoms. A majority of these treatments are available online, and some may be covered by insurance. For instance, Brightside is an online therapy service that offers an array of treatments for depression and anxiety including CBT.