10 Treat Anxiety Tricks All Experts Recommend

Meds That Treat Anxiety

Anxiety affects more than 40 million adults in the United States. It's highly treatable, with numerous medications available.

SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), like Zoloft, Prozac, Lexapro and Effexor, work to alleviate anxiety by raising levels of the chemical serotonin in the brain. Unlike benzodiazepines, they're not addictive.

SSRIs

The most popular anxiety medications are selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro) and fluoxetine (Prozac). These medications also treat depression, and they can help relieve symptoms associated with other anxiety disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It could take up to one month for them to start working.

These drugs work by boosting the production of certain chemical messengers in the brain, including serotonin and norepinephrine. These drugs are usually the first choice for treating anxiety, though doctors may prescribe other forms of antidepressants or benzodiazepines.

Another class of antidepressants, called serotonin and norepinephrine-reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) such as duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor) are used to treat anxiety. They are a bit different from SSRIs since they reduce norepinephrine but at a lower degree than SSRIs. These medicines may take a few days to start taking effects, and also tend to be more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), such as imipramine (Tofranil) are effective in treating certain anxiety disorders, including GAD. Their drowsiness, as well as other adverse effects are what make them less well-liked. Another kind of antidepressant, monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs), can also be used to treat anxiety. Their high toxicity risk and the restriction on dietary intake make them unsuitable for use.

Benzodiazepines are often used to combat anxiety and panic attacks in the short-term like when you wait for SSRIs or SNRIs to begin working. These drugs can trigger tolerance and addiction, sedation and apathy and withdrawal reactions that may cause depression, anxiety, and even delusions. Benzodiazepines are commonly found in alprazolam, clonazepam, and lorazepam.

Therapy is a crucial component of any treatment plan for anxiety. It helps you to better understand your symptoms and their causes. Many people find that therapy and medication both help them cope. In fact, some studies suggest that cognitive behavior therapy is as effective as anxiety medications. Talk to your doctor about your options and what could be the best choice for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines can have a calming effect that reduces anxiety and relaxes muscles that are tight. They also alleviate symptoms of fear-related bodily stimulation (like heart rate or shaking), and promote sleep.

They work by binding inhibitory neurons, like GABA or gamma aminobutryic acid and bind to receptors in the central nervous system. They increase the effects of GABA by activating its inhibitory effect on other neurotransmitters, and reducing the number of messages that are transmitted to the amygdala, an area of the brain that detects threats and creates the feeling of fear.

These drugs can be used for short durations of time, such as when panic attacks occur or when you experience extreme anxiety. They may ease symptoms within 30 to 90 minutes of taking them. Benzodiazepines, unlike SSRIs don't stay in the body for a long time. They are fast acting and can be effective within a couple of hours. This makes them ideal for situations in which quick relief is required (such for instance, during a flight or before a presentation in public).

They are addictive, and people are usually prescribed them for up to 4 weeks at one time. They also lose their effectiveness after that time.

One of the main reasons benzodiazepines are so popular is that they are safe and have few side effects compared to their predecessors such as barbiturates and meprobamate. They are effective and have a rapid start, and can be used as anxiolytics in order to reduce anxiety. They can also be employed as sedatives, anticonvulsants, and muscle relaxants.

Benzos were blamed for negative attitudes towards anxiety that developed in the 1970s and 80s which included the reduction of the disorder, as well as the perception that benzodiazepine therapies lead to physical dependence. Despite this they play a crucial role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, specifically in conjunction with psychosocial interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy.

Benzos can interact with other medications and cause undesirable side effects, like drowsiness or confusion. It is important to inform your doctor know about any other prescription, non-prescription, or herbal medicines you're currently taking or thinking about taking. Check the British National Formulary A to Z list of medication interactions to find out what medications are safe with benzodiazepines.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants can be effective in treating anxiety and other mental conditions. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, antidepressants -- like SSRIs and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) -- can help reduce chronic severe anxiety treatment disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorders and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The FDA has approved antidepressants for other health conditions, including bipolar disorder, eating disorders, and certain types of pain.

The majority of doctors prescribe SSRIs as the first-line treatment for anxiety, however these medications may not be appropriate for everyone. If they aren't working, doctors may look at the more traditional antidepressant, known as tricyclic or tetracyclic an antidepressant. This includes amitriptyline, nortriptyline, clomipramine, trimipramine, dothiepin, doxepin or imipramine. They're less popular than the newer antidepressants, yet they're still readily available. You may also ask your physician to prescribe the sedating antidepressant trazodone(Desyrel) at lower doses if you are experiencing sleep issues or anxiety.

Nefazodone, also known as Ferdinand (Cymbalta) and duloxetine may also be helpful. They're also available in generic forms. If they aren't helping, your doctor may try the antipsychotics quetiapine and Olanzapine or the tranquilizing antidepressant Mirtazapine.

Medications for other anxiety disorders include beta blockers, which decrease the heart rate and blood pressure by blocking the actions of adrenaline. These drugs aren't commonly used to treat generalized anxiety disorder anxiety by themselves however they can be beneficial when combined with psychological therapy.

Psychological therapy can help you change negative thoughts and behaviours that contribute to your anxiety. It can help you manage your anxiety and develop how to treat anxiety attacks treat anxiety without medication (linked internet site) to cope. Based on your specific situation, you may receive cognitive behavioural therapy or exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy teaches you to confront unhelpful and fearful thoughts, and overcome your fear of situations that trigger anxiety. Exposure therapy involves gradually increasing the level of anxiety-inducing situations until you can cope with them. This can be done in a single session or in smaller groups. In both cases, results will take time to manifest. Some people believe that a combination of medication and psychotherapy is the best option. Some people find that medication alone is enough to manage symptoms. Discuss with your doctor how to treat anxiety without medicine you manage your symptoms.

Other Medications

Although benzodiazepines and antidepressants are the most common medications to treat anxiety, other medications can ease your symptoms as well. Beta blockers, antihistamines and buspirone are all prescribed to alleviate anxiety.

These drugs correct an imbalance in the brain's chemicals and can help alleviate your symptoms by reducing or blocking signals that cause you anxiety and stress. They're not a cure-all. You'll need to do things to reduce anxiety, like exercises, relaxation techniques and psychotherapy.

Your doctor might first prescribe one of the "first first line treatment for anxiety" anxiety medications, which are SSRIs and SNRIs. These are the most effective drugs for treating anxiety disorders according to research studies. The most common SSRIs include sertraline (Zoloft) and fluoxetine (Prozac) and citalopram (Celexa), and escitalopram (Lexapro). These drugs can cause minor side effects, such as insomnia and nausea, but they usually disappear within 4-8 weeks. They aren't addictive, and they do not increase the likelihood of suicidal ideas.

The benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam, clonazepam, and diazepoxide, (Valium) offer immediate relief from anxiety and panic attacks. However, they may cause side effects, such as dizziness and drowsiness. They can also trigger problems with coordination and memory and even dependence. They're not as popular than the older barbiturates, but are just as efficient.

Antihistamines such as Vistaril (hydroxyzine) were originally designed to help with allergies. However, they are also used to ease anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine blocks the histamine receptors in the brain and can cause the body to relax. It's not a controlled substance, so it doesn't have the same addiction risks like benzodiazepines.

Another type of medication that can help with anxiety is a class called anticonvulsants. They have been shown to relieve anxiety by affecting the release and production of dopamine and serotonin. They can be prescribed in combination with other medicines or as a short-term treatment for anxiety. Your doctor will assess your health history and symptoms to determine if these medicines are appropriate for you. They'll also discuss the length of time you should take them for and any potential side effects. Anxiety medications are only available through prescription, so it is necessary to see a psychiatrist to prescribe it.