The Next Big Event In The Meds To Treat Anxiety Industry

Medications to Treat Anxiety

Although therapy is the best treatment for anxiety, sometimes taking a short course of medicine is required. Antidepressants and tranquilizers are among the drugs that can be used to combat anxiety.

SSRI antidepressants, like citalopram (Celexa), the escitalopram (Lexapro) and sertraline (Zoloft) can improve the communication between nerve cells in the brain and can reduce anxiety. SNRIs, which are aimed at the chemicals norepinephrine and serotonin, can also be effective.

SSRIs

SSRIs are typically the first prescription medication recommended by doctors to treat anxiety disorders. They prevent the brain's nerve cells from reabsorbing serotonin, an ingredient which plays a vital role in regulating mood. The medications take a while to take effect, but the majority of people experience improvement within 4 to 6 weeks. SSRIs aren't habit-forming and will not trigger addiction, therefore they are safe to use for long periods of time.

Another type of antidepressant, SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), also treats depression and anxiety. The SNRIs include citalopram, the escitalopram and fluoxetine (Prozac), paraxetine (Paxil) and sertraline. Tricyclic antidepressants like imipramine (Tofranil) and the doxepine (Anxiety Disorder Stimulant) also treat anxiety and depression. Novel antidepressants such as mirtazapine (Remeron) are also used to treat anxiety disorders.

Doctors aren't certain of the exact way SSRIs and SNRIs work however they know that they increase the activity of certain chemical messengers in the brain, known as neurotransmitters. They stop the brain from reabsorbing chemicals and allow these chemicals to bind with receptors.

SSRIs are used to treat generalized anxiety disorder, GAD; obsessive-compulsive disorder, OCD; panic disorder/agoraphobia; and posttraumatic stress disorder, PTSD. They can also help with Bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder, but this is not as common.

People suffering from anxiety who are not responding to SSRIs might be prescribed an atypical antipsychotic medication. Examples include quetiapine, (Abilify), and aripiprazole (Risperdal). These medications ease anxiety for people suffering from obsessive compulsive disorders. They are usually given in conjunction with an antidepressant and have a lower risk of serious side effects than other types of antipsychotics.

Beta-blockers are also a class of medication that can be used to  treat anxiety  and are often prescribed for heart conditions. Examples are propranolol (Inderal) and atenolol (Tenormin). They can aid in reducing the physical symptoms of anxiety, particularly for people with social anxiety disorder. They can also be helpful in reducing anxiety prior to or following surgery and also for certain chronic pain conditions. The benzodiazepines, including lorazepam and Ativan (Ativan), can be used in situations where other medications don't work. Benzodiazepines can be addictive and can be habit-forming.

SNRIs

SNRIs are a kind of antidepressant medication that is typically prescribed to combat anxiety. They function similarly to SSRIs however, they enhance the supply of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. They are therefore more effective in treating certain anxiety disorders such as social anxiety disorder and anxiety panic disorder. Like other medications, these work best when they are used in conjunction with talking therapy and other treatment strategies.

Contrary to benzodiazepines, SNRIs aren't a dependence or addiction for most people. However, some patients might feel withdrawal symptoms when stopping the medication after a long time of usage. Because of this, it is essential to speak with your doctor prior to stopping any medication.

Neurotransmitters such serotonin as well as norepinephrine control mood and stress. They play a key part in the fight or flight response that a large portion of people suffering from anxiety experiences. The SNRIs hinder nerve cells from rapidly mopping up neurotransmitters by preventing the process of reuptake. By doing so they hold these chemicals in the brain for longer, and, as a result they have the potential to boost mood and decrease anxiety and assist in the relief of symptoms of panic attacks.

Norepinephrine also plays a part in anxiety, since it triggers the Amygdala. It is a nebulous and primitive brain region that is linked to fearful behavior. SNRIs have been shown to decrease activity in this region of the brain, which could positively impact mood and anxiety, as well as alleviate anxiety attacks.

While these medications are extremely beneficial, it is important to keep in mind that they do come with a risk of increasing suicidal ideas in certain individuals. This is why they are usually prescribed in higher doses for a short-term period. They may also interact with other medications and substances. If you are taking any other prescription or over-the-counter medications, make sure you discuss this with your doctor and keep them updated on any medical conditions that you may have particularly heart issues and bleeding disorders. Be aware that some patients experience adverse reactions to SNRIs like nausea and a dry mouth.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines -- or benzos, as they're often called -- are quick-acting medications that reduce anxiety and anxiety-related symptoms, such as insomnia and muscle tension. Some people with anxiety disorders such as social anxiety or panic disorder might find them beneficial particularly if they have not responded to other treatments such as SSRIs and psychotherapy. They can also be utilized as a temporary solution until you can wait for your antidepressant medication kick in. Benzos include diazepam, lorazepam as well as temazepam and flurazepam.

Because they're fast-acting drugs, they generally begin to work within 30 minutes. These medications don't last very long in the body, so you should take them on a regular basis to benefit from their effects. Benzos shouldn't be used for prolonged periods of time as they can lead to physical dependence and addiction. Benzos are not recommended by people suffering from anxiety or depression disorders since they can increase the risk.

People who use benzos over an extended period without medical supervision, and often without the advice of a doctor, can develop a condition called sedative-use disorders, which includes withdrawal symptoms and addiction. It is rare for people who use benzos according to their prescription to develop this disorder however. Misuse of benzos usually results from other causes like alcoholism or depression.

Tolerence to benzodiazepines could develop if they are taken for a long period of time. When you become tolerant to the effects, you require more of the medication to achieve the same effect. This can sometimes result in respiratory depression or even death. Even if you're taking benzodiazepines over a long time, it is important to follow the prescribed dosage.

Other Medicines

SSRIs and SNRIs are the first medications that doctors prescribe to treat anxiety. They alter serotonin which influences the mood sleep, appetite, and appetite. They can take as long as 12 weeks to start working and may have negative effects like insomnia or nausea. SSRIs are also used to treat other mental health disorders such as depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and panic disorder. Unlike benzodiazepines, antidepressants don't cause physical dependence but they can cause withdrawal symptoms if abruptly stopped.

The medicines in this class include sertraline (Zoloft) as well as fluoroquinol (Prozac) and citalopram (Celexa). They can be used as a single drug or in conjunction with therapy. Antidepressants are prescribed by psychologists, psychiatrists or family doctors with specialized training in the management of medications.

Doctors can prescribe a class called monoamine-oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) as an antidepressant. These drugs block the action of enzymes that break chemical down, such as serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. MAOIs can take up to three or four weeks to work but aren't as fast-acting as SSRIs.

Another medication that can help manage anxiety is clonidine, which is used to control high blood pressure but is not widely used to treat anxiety. Its effectiveness is limited due to adverse effects such as hypotension and sedation. Antihistamines, such as hydroxyzine, can be prescribed by doctors to reduce anxiety and panic attacks. They may also decrease the effectiveness of benzodiazepines for some patients.

Anxiety is typically treated with a combination of psychotherapy exercise and medication. Working with a therapist that has a specialization in anxiety disorders is the most effective method to manage anxiety. They can help you identify the root cause of anxiety and recommend strategies to manage it, without medication, if needed. Other options for treating anxiety that do not involve medication include eye movement desensitization, mindfulness meditation and yoga that is trauma-informed. Speak to your therapist to determine the most effective options for you. Psychologists are trained to analyze your symptoms, medical history, and develop an anxiety treatment plan that is suitable for you. They will consider your specific diagnosis, lifestyle, medical history and preferences when developing this plan, and will make changes to it as they go along.