Highly recommended Reading and medication can help people with anxiety disorders. Medications used to treat anxiety include benzodiazepines such as Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Valium (diazepam).
Antidepressants are also used to treat anxiety. SSRIs such as fluoxetine and citalopram help by stopping neurons in the brain from absorbing serotonin. This chemical can affect mood.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines (benzos) are powerful medicines which treat anxiety well, and they work very quickly. However, they can be physically addictive and they have serious risks to safety when used for prolonged periods of time. They should be taken only under the supervision of a physician. They are useful as an "as needed" treatment for panic attacks and other severe anxiety attacks. Benzos can be utilized in conjunction with antidepressants, psychotherapy and other medications to treat anxiety disorders.
Benzos can be extremely effective in treating anxiety for a brief duration, and they can help you sleep well. They can be harmful when misused and are not recommended for use alongside other medicines. When benzodiazepines are combined with sedatives such as opioid pain medication and alcohol the risk of dying or overdose is increased. They also can interfere negatively with certain antidepressants and trigger severe withdrawal symptoms.
If prescribed by a physician When prescribed by a doctor, benzodiazepines are safe and effective in treating anxiety disorders. A lot of doctors are cautious when prescribing them due to the fact that they can lead to dependence and negative side effects, such as memory loss. The long-term use of these medications can cause severe withdrawal symptoms, and those who become dependent are usually unable to stop taking them without suffering serious side effects, such as depression and seizures. The key to long-term benzo use is to prescribe them only for patients who could benefit from them; utilize them in situations where they are likely to ameliorate anxiety symptoms; stay away from prolonged use or abrupt discontinuation; limit the risk of abuse, particularly among children; and combine them with effective psychological interventions.
Anxiety medications such as benzodiazepines are a great way to alleviate anxiety. They accomplish this by blocking certain nerves signals and preventing their firing in the brain. These medications can help you sleep more comfortably and feel less stressed but they can't fix the underlying problem that's making you anxious (like mounting bills or a strained relationship).
There are a variety of natural methods to lessen anxiety like meditation, exercise and yoga. Cognitive behavioral therapy is another treatment. You learn to overcome irrational worries and fears.
Antidepressants
SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are a good alternative for those suffering from anxiety as they affect the brain to control mood. It could take up to four weeks before they begin working. If the person does not feel better after this period you should talk to their physician about changing their medication.
Antidepressants such as mirtazapine or Nefazodone are effective in treating anxiety. They may work faster compared to older drugs like venlafaxine or XR. It's important to remember that these medications may cause severe reactions in some individuals. If you have this reaction, call healthdirect at 1800 022222 to speak to an experienced nurse.
MAOIs are an additional type of antidepressant that can be used to treat anxiety. They block the action of enzymes that breakdown brain chemicals, including noradrenaline and dopamine. This causes levels of these chemicals, which can have a an impact positive on mood, to rise. MAOIs are usually reserved for patients that do not respond well to other antidepressants. However they can be extremely effective in treating anxiety.
Tricyclic antidepressants are among the most effective antidepressants to treat anxiety. These medications help with mental and anxiety disorders in a similar way as SSRIs but with less side-effects. They begin with a low dose and their effectiveness increases as the dosage is increased. Tricyclics are effective in treating panic, anxiety disorders, and obsessive compulsive disorder. However, they may not be as effective in treating generalized anxiety disorder.
A newer antidepressant, buspirone is also used to treat anxiety. It is a mild tranquilizer but doesn't have the same adverse effects as benzodiazepines. It doesn't affect memory and coordination. It works by increasing serotonin in the brain and reducing dopamine. About 70% of people who try the drug find it effective. As the drug is taken longer, side effects tend to diminish. Talk therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy or exposure therapy, can be utilized in conjunction with these medications to increase the effectiveness.
Buspirone
Buspirone is used to treat anxiety disorders. It's taken by mouth, usually twice a day. It's not a regulated drug however there is a chance of abuse.
Doctors aren't sure exactly how buspirone works, but they believe that it decreases the amount of serotonin and its actions in certain regions of the brain. This makes the nervous system less sensitive to anxiety and stress.
In general, doctors consider buspirone to be a safe medication for the majority of people. It's generally regarded as having a lower degree of toxicity, and a lesser risk of addiction than benzodiazepines or barbiturates. Like other drugs, it may cause adverse reactions. The most common ones are dizziness and nausea. It's important to tell your doctor about all the medications, supplements and ingredients you are taking before starting buspirone, because it may interact with them.
If you are over 65, your doctor may prescribe buspirone at a lower dose. This is due to the fact that older people tend to react differently to drugs than younger individuals. This is especially true for drugs that affect your nervous system.
It's also important to tell your doctor if taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan) or linezolid (Zyvox) and phenelzine (Nardil) selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar) or tranylcypromine (Parnate). Buspirone can increase levels of these drugs in your body, which can lead to serious side effects.
You should also let your doctor know that you have liver disease, kidney problems or stomach disorders or are pregnant or breastfeeding. Some medicines, such as SSRIs might not be suitable for you under these circumstances.
If buspirone isn't working, or you can't use it due to a medical condition or interaction with another medication, your doctor will prescribe an alternative form of treatment for your anxiety. This could be a different type of antidepressant, like Lexapro or Prozac; a beta blocker, like propranolol, or a benzodiazepine, like Xanax. The PIL for each drug will include more details on how to take it and possible side effects.
Other Medications
In addition to medications, there are other treatments that can help ease anxiety. Psychotherapy or talk therapy is an option. Psychotherapy can assist you in changing the way you think about your anxiety and teach you strategies for coping to manage it. Other options include learning relaxation skills, maintaining a regular workout routine, and staying away from alcohol and other drugs. Herbal remedies can aid some sufferers with anxiety-related symptoms. If these alternatives don't work, consult your doctor.
Medications used as an anxiety treatment typically fall into two broad categories: benzodiazepines and antidepressants. Benzodiazepines, such as Ativan (lorazepam) are able to increase the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA, in your brain, which helps to increase tranquility. They can help you feel better quickly, but they can also become addictive if used for a long time. Antidepressants take longer to kick in but they balance the levels of certain chemicals in your brain, known as neurotransmitters, which affect your mood.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors(SSRIs), or SSRIs are the most well-known kind of antidepressant used to treat anxiety. They boost the amount of serotonin, a chemical signalling agent in your brain. This can boost your mood or cause you to feel less anxious. Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are another antidepressant that stops the reabsorption both of serotonin and norepinephrine from the brain. This boosts the levels of these chemicals in your body, which makes you feel more energized. A third antidepressant class known as monoamine oxide inhibitors, or MAOIs, is sometimes used to treat anxiety in people who aren't responding to SSRIs.
There are numerous other medications that can be used to treat anxiety. They include azapirones, alpha- and Beta-blockers and antihistamines such as hydroxyzine, and Clonidine. These medicines have a lower chance of success than SSRIs or benzodiazepines.
Although medication is a very effective anxiety treatment but it shouldn't be the sole treatment you employ. If you have an underlying cause for your anxiety, like debt, poor diet, or a bad relationship, non-medicative treatments could be more effective. Other options include cognitive behavior therapy, or biofeedback, which teaches you to manage your brain waves with a monitoring device; and mindfulness meditation, a form of meditation that focuses on the present moment.