IamPsychiatry suffering from anxiety disorders typically get better through psychotherapy and medication. Benzodiazepines like Xanax, Klonopin, and Valium are used to help with anxiety.
Antidepressants can also treat anxiety. SSRIs like citalopram (Celexa) and fluoxetine (Prozac) work by preventing neurons in the brain from absorbing serotonin an ingredient that affects mood.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines (benzos) are powerful medications which treat anxiety well and work quickly. They are also physically addictive and carry serious risks to your safety if you use them for prolonged periods. For this reason, they should always be prescribed and administered under the supervision of a medical professional. They can be used as an "as-needed" treatment for panic attacks as well as other anxiety disorders that are severe. Benzos can be used in combination with psychotherapy, antidepressants and other medicines to treat anxiety disorders.
Benzos are extremely effective in short-term anxiety relief and can help you get an excellent night's rest. They can be harmful when misused and are not recommended to be used alongside other medications. When mixed with sedative drugs such as alcohol or opioid pain medication, benzodiazepines could increase the risk of overdose and death. They also can interact negatively with certain antidepressants and cause severe withdrawal symptoms.
If prescribed by a physician If prescribed by a physician, benzodiazepines can be safe and effective in treating anxiety disorders. However, a lot of doctors are cautious when it comes to taking them because they can be addictive and cause negative side effects, such as memory loss. Long-term use can trigger severe withdrawal reactions and those who are dependent on them are often incapable of stopping their use without experiencing severe symptoms such as seizures and depression. The key to long-term benzo use is to use them only for patients who could benefit from them; use them in situations in which they could alleviate anxiety symptoms; stay away from prolonged use or abrupt discontinuation; minimize the risk of abuse, particularly by children; and combine them with effective psychological therapies.
Anxiety medication like benzodiazepines can ease anxiety. They accomplish this by blocking certain nerves signals and preventing their brains from firing. These drugs may help you sleep and feel less anxious but they will not address the root issue that causes you to worry.
Meditation, exercise, and yoga are all natural ways to lessen anxiety. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a different treatment. You learn to overcome anxiety and worries that are not rational.
Antidepressants
SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are a viable option for people suffering from anxiety since they affect the brain to control mood. It could take up to four weeks for them to begin working. If one doesn't feel better in the period it is recommended to talk to their physician about changing their medication.
Antidepressants such as mirtazapine or Nefazodone are effective in treating anxiety. They may be more effective than older medications, such as venlafaxine and XR. It's important to remember that these medications can trigger severe reactions in certain people. If someone experiences this reaction it is recommended that they seek urgent medical attention or contact healthdirect at 1800 022 222 to speak with a registered nurse (known as NURSE-ON CALL in Victoria).
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors, or MAOIs are a different type of antidepressant employed to treat anxiety. They block enzymes that break down chemicals in the brain into noradrenaline. This allows the levels these chemicals to increase which has a positive effect on mood. MAOIs are usually reserved for patients that do not respond well to other antidepressants. However, they can be very effective in treating anxiety.
Among the most effective antidepressants to treat anxiety are tricyclic antidepressants. They treat mental and anxiety disorders in a way similar to SSRIs, but with fewer adverse effects. They are effective in small doses, but their effectiveness increases with the increase in dosage. Tricyclics are effective for treating panic disorder, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder however they are less likely to treat generalized anxiety disorder.
Buspirone, an antidepressant that is newer, is also used to treat anxiety. It is a mild tranquilizer that does not cause the same adverse effects as benzodiazepines. It doesn't affect memory or coordination. It increases serotonin in the brain, and reducing dopamine. The drug can be effective for up to 70 per cent of those who test it. The side effects tend to diminish as the medication is taken for longer periods of time. Talk therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy and/or exposure therapy, can be incorporated with these medications to improve their effectiveness.
Buspirone
Buspirone is a generic medication used to treat anxiety disorders. It is taken orally, generally twice daily. It's not a controlled substance, but it does have potential for abuse.
Doctors aren't quite sure how it operates, but they believe that buspirone decreases the amount and actions of a chemical called serotonin that is found in certain areas of the brain. This makes the nervous systems less susceptible to anxiety and stress.
Buspirone is generally considered safe by doctors for the vast majority of people. It is generally considered to be less toxic and has a lower risk of addiction than benzodiazepines as well as barbiturates. Like other drugs, it may cause adverse effects. The most common side effects are dizziness and nausea. Buspirone may interact with other medications, supplements and other ingredients. Inform your doctor if you take any of these prior to starting the medication.
If you're older than 65, your doctor may give you a lower dose of buspirone. This is due to the fact that older people tend to respond to drugs differently than younger people do. This is particularly true for drugs that affect your nervous system.
It's also essential to inform your doctor if you are taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, like isocarboxazid (Marplan), linezolid (Zyvox) or the phenelzine (Nardil) selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar) or tranylcypromine (Parnate). Buspirone may increase the amount of these drugs within your body, which can lead to serious adverse side adverse effects.
Consult your physician to consult your doctor if you have kidney or liver diseases, stomach problems, are pregnant, or breastfeed. Certain medications, like SSRIs, may not be suitable for you in these circumstances.
If buspirone isn't working or you're unable to use it due to a medical condition or interaction with a different medication Your doctor may prescribe an alternative treatment for your anxiety. It could be a new kind of antidepressant like Lexapro, Prozac, a beta-blocker such as propranolol, or a benzodiazepine such as Xanax. The PIL will provide more details about how to take the drug and any possible adverse effects.
Other Medical Treatments
There are other treatments available that can reduce anxiety. Psychotherapy or talk therapy is an option. Psychotherapy can teach you how to cope with anxiety and change your ways of thinking. Other options include learning relaxation techniques, maintaining an exercise routine, and abstaining from drinking and using drugs. Some people get relief from anxiety-related symptoms by taking herbal medications. If these methods don't work, talk to your doctor.
The two major categories of medication used to combat anxiety. Benzodiazepines like Ativan, or lorazepam, boost the activity of GABA in your brain, which increases tranquility. They offer quick relief, but can become addictive if they are used for a long time. Antidepressants take longer to work but they balance the levels of certain chemicals in your brain, known as neurotransmitters, that influence your mood.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, are the most popular type of antidepressant for anxiety. They increase the amount of serotonin, a chemical signalling agent in your brain. This can boost your mood or make you feel less anxiety. Another class of antidepressants is serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors or SNRIs, stop the reabsorption of serotonin and norepinephrine into your brain, thereby increasing levels of these chemicals and making you feel more energetic. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are an additional class of antidepressants that is often prescribed by people who do not respond to SSRIs to combat anxiety.
There are numerous other medications that can be used to treat anxiety. These include azapirones, alpha- and Beta-blockers and antihistamines such as Clonidine and hydroxyzine. These medications have a lower chance of success than SSRIs or benzodiazepines.
Although medication can be an effective treatment for anxiety, it shouldn't always be employed. Alternative treatments are more effective if you have an underlying cause for your anxiety such as eating disorders, debt or an unhealthy relationship. Other options include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) biofeedback (which helps you to regulate your brain's activity by using a device to monitor them) and mindfulness meditation.