Anxiety Treatments Medication
If you suffer with anxiety or panic attacks, it is important to seek out professional help. Treatment options include lifestyle changes like reducing stress and getting regular physical exercise. Your doctor might recommend psychotherapy.
FDA approved a range of medications to treat anxiety disorders. These include SNRIs and SSRIs that affect the neurotransmitter serotonin. Anticonvulsants such as pregabalin can help reduce anxiety by affecting GABA receptors.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines help to calm the nervous system by acting upon it. social anxiety disorder treatment function by increasing the effects of a neurotransmitter named Gamma-aminobutyric Acid (GABA) in the brain. GABA reduces nerve activity in the brain and spinal cord and helps to reduce anxiety.
Benzodiazepines are able to relieve anxiety symptoms in a matter of minutes unlike antidepressants, which can take weeks to work. However, benzodiazepines have a high risk of abuse and dependence. The body gets used to benzodiazepines following regular use. This could lead to physical dependence. The use of benzodiazepines is a successful treatment when other methods do not work or are not available.
While benzodiazepines can be a powerful treatment for anxiety, it's important to speak with your doctor before using these medications. They can assist you in determining the root of your anxiety and suggest other treatments that may be more appropriate. Therapies that involve talking, such as cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), exposure therapy, and many others can help you address the root cause of anxiety. They can also teach you strategies for coping.
Benzodiazepines aren't commonly employed as the first-choice medication for anxiety disorders because they can cause dangerous negative effects when they are combined with alcohol or other drugs. They are also addictive, and they have a high risk of overdose. The first benzodiazepines were released in the 1950s, starting with chlordiazepoxide (Librium, Limbitrol) followed by diazepam (Valium) and lorazepam (Ativan). All of these medications come with a black-box warning that states that they may cause serious or life-threatening adverse effects such as severe sleepiness, breathing problems or coma and even death when combined in combination with opioids or illegal substances.
SSRIs
SSRIs are a group of antidepressant medications that is typically the first choice of people who suffer from anxiety. These medications boost the levels of certain chemical messengers, including serotonin (and norepinephrine) in the brain. They also help regulate other important chemicals, including those that regulate mood and sleep, and reduce the levels of stress hormones within your body. Prozac is the most frequently prescribed SSRI. Other SSRIs include Lexapro, Zoloft, and Paxil, while SNRIs include Effexor XR, Cymbalta, and Pristiq.
Although experts aren't quite sure how SSRIs work to treat anxiety however, they are aware that these meds enhance the way your brain works. They increase BDNF (brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor) levels, increase the number of the glial cells (brain cells that support, nourish and protect your neuronal cells) and increase serotonin levels. The exact mechanism behind this action isn't fully understood, but it may involve an array of factors.
Like other types of medications, SSRIs can take 1 month to begin working, and they require regular treatment to maintain the benefits. They can cause side reactions, like nausea and diarrhea. Some men may experience a decrease in libido as well as sodium levels. Your doctor will decide the duration of time that you should be taking them based on your symptoms and any other treatments you are using. They may recommend that you keep taking them for a period of 6 to 12 months or work with you to reduce or stop taking the medication. They may also suggest alternative therapies, like psychotherapy, herbs and supplements to treat anxiety-related issues such as Vistaril for itching or chamomile to help sleep.
Beta-blockers
Beta-blockers, also referred to as beta-adrenergic blockers, prevent adrenaline from binding to your heart's receptors. This relaxes your heart and lowers your blood pressure. They are prescribed for anxiety, and can be alternative to conventional medications for psychiatric disorders that can cause adverse effects.
Beta-blockers can reduce physical symptoms of anxiety but they do not address the mental causes of stress. They are typically used to deal with certain situations that cause anxiety, such as public speaking or flying. They can be used in conjunction with therapy to treat the root of the anxiety disorder, or on their own as a long-term daily medication.
Due to their method of operation, beta blockers may cause several adverse effects, such as hypotension and bradycardia. They can also cause you to feel shaken and sweaty. Some people with asthma, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) or diabetes shouldn't be taking them.
Despite the negative side effects, beta blockers are still widely used and researched. They have been on the market for decades and are considered safe for most adults. They are reasonably affordable and readily available. For many taking them, the risk of adverse effects is a good trade-off to their effectiveness.
Beta-blockers are a good alternative for people with moderate to mild anxiety. They can be more effective than benzodiazepines, which are more suitable for people who suffer from severe or life-threatening anxiety disorders. They won't fix your underlying issue and are best used for short-term anxiety such as prior to an important event such as an airplane flight or a speech. They can aid in sleeping better, and can help regulate your blood sugar.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) block the enzyme responsible for breaking down monoamine neurotransmitters. They enhance the availability of serotonin as well as other neurotransmitters like the epinephrine and melatonin to transmit by blocking their breakdown in neurons. They are primarily known as effective antidepressants, and have some efficacy in anxiety disorders. They can be used alone or in combination with other medications. They are also used to treat Parkinson's disease and certain other conditions. Eugenol is an essential oil, can be found in the bud leaves, stems, and leaves of clove (Syzygium Aromaticum) and the cinnamon bark. Eugenol has been proven to inhibit MAOI in a test tube, and could interact with these medications.
MAOIs can have severe side effects, and therefore they are not the primary medicine doctors recommend for treating depression or anxiety. Typically, they are prescribed for those who are unable to respond to other treatments. They are also used to manage a variety of other diseases, such as Parkinson's disease and fibromyalgia. They can lead to low blood pressure when standing in a sitting or lying in a sitting position, a condition known as orthostatic hypotension.
MAOIs are widely used to treat panic disorder as well as atypical depression and tranylcypromine. Phenelzine has been studied in a small way in panic disorder and is the medication of choice for people suffering from atypical depression, while tranylcypromine has been recommended due to its favorable adverse effects. These drugs aren't as powerful as SSRIs, but can be beneficial in treating certain types of anxiety and depression disorders.
The older MAOIs may not be as safe as the newer reversible MAOIs such Moclobemide and selegiline. They are more effective at increasing the monoamine levels in depression than older MAOIs. They are less likely than older MAOIs to trigger high blood pressure, but still have a chance of developing a pharmacological dependence.
Buspirone
For people suffering from anxiety using a combination of medications and psychological therapies is usually the best treatment. The use of medication can ease symptoms, but they should only be used under the supervision of a physician. There are a variety of medications that can be used to treat anxiety. They may be different for each person. Discuss with your doctor about your symptoms and he or she will prescribe the appropriate medication for you.
Buspirone is an FDA-approved medication for anxiety that works by altering the neurotransmitters serotonin as well as dopamine. This can help reduce anxiety and mood symptoms, but it doesn't cause sedation or interfere with cognitive function. It is less likely to become addictive than other sedatives such as benzodiazepines. This makes it a good option for those who wish to control their anxiety but don't wish to use drugs such as Xanax.
SSRIs and SNRIs are typically the first line of treatment for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). They are antidepressants that boost the levels of serotonin in a person and can help regulate mood. They are usually prescribed in conjunction with anxiety medicines like benzodiazepines. They are rarely prescribed for long periods of time as they can be addictive and cause negative side effects, such as drowsiness.
Besides medications and psychological treatments, psychological treatments for GAD have been proven to be effective in the short run and can improve outcomes over time. These include cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) exposure therapy, and art or creative therapies. Psychological therapy can help people learn methods to manage their depression and anxiety which can help them manage their symptoms and lead a fulfilling life. A lot of these treatments are accessible online, and some may be covered by insurance. For example, Brightside is an online therapy service that offers various anxiety and depression treatments, including CBT.