Anxiety Treatments Medication
Anxiety can hinder your daily life, so it's important to seek help if you have extreme anxiety. Lifestyle changes, such as reducing your stress and engaging in regular physical activity, are a few options for treatment. Your doctor may suggest psychotherapy.
FDA approved a variety of medications to treat anxiety disorders. These include SSRIs and SNRIs that affect the neurotransmitter, serotonin. Anticonvulsants, like pregabalin, can reduce anxiety as well by altering the GABA receptor.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines help to calm the nervous system by acting upon it. They work by enhancing the effects of a neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. GABA blocks nerve activity in the spine and brain cord and assists in reducing anxiety.
Contrary to antidepressants, which may take a long time to begin working, benzodiazepines can be used to reduce anxiety symptoms in a matter of minutes. However, benzodiazepines carry a high risk of abuse and dependence. The body develops a tolerance to benzodiazepines once they are used regularly. This can lead to physical dependence. Despite the risks, benzodiazepines are an effective treatment for anxiety when other methods aren't available or don't provide relief.
While benzodiazepines can be a powerful treatment for anxiety, it's important to talk to your doctor before using these medications. They can help you determine the cause of your anxiety and discuss other treatments that may be more appropriate. Therapies that involve talking, such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), exposure therapy, and many others can help you to address the root cause of anxiety. They will also teach you techniques for coping.
Benzodiazepines aren't usually the first in the treatment of anxiety disorders because they can have harmful effects when combined with alcohol or other drugs. They can also be addictive and have a high risk of overdose. The first benzodiazepines - chlordiazepoxide (Librium, Limbitrol), were introduced in 1950, then followed by diazepam, (Valium) and lorazepam, (Ativan). All of these medications come with a black-box warning, indicating that they may cause serious or life-threatening adverse effects such as breathing problems, severe sleepiness, coma, and death if taken with opioids or illegal drugs.
SSRIs
SSRIs are a class of antidepressant drugs that are often the first choice among those suffering from anxiety. These medications increase levels of certain chemical messengers within the brain, including serotonin and norepinephrine. They also regulate other vital chemicals like those that regulate mood and sleep, and reduce stress hormones within the body. meds to treat anxiety is the most frequently prescribed SSRI. Other SSRIs include Lexapro, Zoloft, and Paxil and SNRIs include Effexor XR, Cymbalta, and Pristiq.
While experts aren't sure exactly how SSRIs can help alleviate anxiety however, they are aware that these drugs improve the way your brain works. They boost glial cell function (these are the brain cells that nourish, support, nourish, insulate and protect your neurons) and increase BDNF levels (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) and boost levels of serotonin itself. The exact mechanism behind this action isn't fully understood but it could be the combination of several factors.
Similar to other types of medicines, SSRIs can take 1 month to start working and require regular treatment to keep the benefits. They can cause side effects, such as diarrhea and nausea. They can also cause low sodium levels in some people, and they can alter libido of some males. Your physician will decide the time frame you should take them, based on your symptoms and the other treatments you're using. They may recommend that you continue to use them for a period of 6 to 12 months or work with you to taper down and end the medication. They may also suggest other treatments such as psychotherapy, herbs and supplements to treat anxiety-related symptoms. For example, Vistaril can be used for itching, and chamomile can help you sleep.
Beta-blockers
Beta-blockers, also known as beta-adrenergic blocking agents, prevent adrenaline from binding to the heart's receptors. This allows your heart to relax and decreases your blood pressure. They are typically prescribed for anxiety and are a great alternative to traditional psychiatric medications that carry some adverse effects.
Beta-blockers may reduce physical symptoms of anxiety, but they don't address the mental reasons for stress. They are typically used to control certain situations that trigger anxiety, like speaking in public and flying. They may be used in combination with therapy to treat the root of the anxiety disorder or on their own as a long-term daily medication.
Beta blockers have a variety of adverse effects due to their method of working, including hypotension, bradycardia, and various other conditions. You might also feel shakey or sweaty. Certain people suffering from COPD (chronic obstruction of the lung) or diabetes should not take them.
Beta blockers are widely researched and utilized despite their side effects. They've been on the market for a long time and are considered safe for a majority of adults. They're also reasonably priced and readily available compared to other drugs. For many, the adverse effects are worth it for their effectiveness.
Taking beta-blockers as part of an anxiety treatment plan is a good idea for people suffering from moderate to mild anxiety. They are more effective than benzodiazepines which are better for those with severe or life-threatening anxiety disorders. They can't address the root of your issue and are best used to ease anxiety in the short term, like prior to an important event, such as an airplane flight or a speech. In addition to decreasing anxiety, they can aid in sleeping better and manage your blood sugar.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) inhibit the enzyme that breaks down monoamine neurotransmitters. They enhance the availability of serotonin and other neurotransmitters like melatonin and epinephrine for transmission by blocking their breakdown in neurons. They are typically used as antidepressants, but they also have some efficacy in anxiety disorders. They can be used as a single drug or in combination. They can also be utilized to treat Parkinson's disease and other ailments. Eugenol is an essential oil found in the bud, leaf, and the stem of clove (Syzygium aromaticum) and in the bark of cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum). In a test tube, Eugenol was found to block MAOI activity and may be negatively interacting with these medications.
MAOIs have severe adverse effects and aren't typically the first medication doctors prescribe for depression or anxiety. They are typically prescribed for patients who have failed to respond to other medications. They are also used to manage a range of other conditions, such as Fibromyalgia and Parkinson's disease. They can cause low blood pressure when standing from a lying or sitting position, which is known as orthostatic hypotension.
Common MAOIs include phenelzine isocarboxazid and tranylcypromine. Phenelzine is used to treat the treatment of atypical anxiety and depression. It has limited research on panic disorder. These drugs aren't as efficient as SSRIs for most patients, but they can be beneficial in treating certain kinds of anxiety and depression.
The older MAOIs aren't as safe as the newer Reversible MAOIs, such as selegiline and Moclobemide. They are also more effective than older MAOIs in boosting the levels of monoamines that are involved in depressive disorders. They are less likely to cause an increase in blood pressure but they are at risk of causing pharmacological dependence.
Buspirone
Combining psychological therapy with medication is the best way to combat anxiety. The use of medication can alleviate symptoms however they should be used only under a doctor's supervision. There are a myriad of medications that can be used to combat anxiety. They may be different for each individual. To determine which one is right for you, speak to your doctor and explain your symptoms.
Buspirone is an FDA-approved anxiety medication that works by altering the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin. It helps reduce mood and anxiety symptoms without the feeling of sedation. It is less likely to be more habit-forming than other sedatives, such as benzodiazepines. This makes it a good choice for those trying to control their anxiety, but do not wish to take drugs such as Xanax.
SSRIs or SNRIs are typically the first option for treating generalized anxiety disorder. These are antidepressants that augment a person's serotonin levels and help regulate mood. They are usually used in conjunction with anxiety medicines like benzodiazepines. However, they are usually not prescribed for long periods since they can be addictive and may have side effects such as drowsiness.
Psychological treatments for GAD that include medication have shown to be effective on a short-term basis and may improve the outcome over time. These include cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), exposure therapy, as well as creative or artistic therapies. Psychological therapy can help patients develop strategies to manage depression and anxiety. This will allow them to live a more fulfilling life and manage their symptoms. Many of these treatments are available online, and some may be covered by your insurance. For instance, Brightside is an online therapy service that provides various treatments for depression and anxiety that include CBT.