Watch Out: How Anxiety Treatment Medicines Is Taking Over And What You Can Do About It

Anxiety Treatment Medications

People with anxiety disorders often improve by undergoing psychotherapy and taking medication. The medications used to treat anxiety include benzodiazepines such as Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Valium (diazepam).

Antidepressants can also be used to treat anxiety. SSRIs such as citalopram (Celexa) and fluoxetine (Prozac) work by blocking neurons in the brain from absorbing serotonin, an ingredient that influences mood.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines (benzos) are powerful drugs that are effective in treating anxiety and work quickly. However, they also can be physically addictive, and pose serious safety risks when used for prolonged periods of time. They should be taken only under the supervision of a physician. They can be used as a "as-needed" treatment for panic attacks and other anxiety disorders that are severe. Benzos can be utilized in conjunction with antidepressants, psychotherapy and other medications to treat anxiety disorders.

Benzos are extremely effective in short-term anxiety treatment and can assist you in getting an excellent night's rest. They can be harmful when misused and are not recommended to be used alongside other medications. When benzodiazepines are mixed with sedatives like alcohol and opioid pain medication, the risk of death or overdose rises. They also can interact negatively with antidepressants, causing severe withdrawal symptoms.

If prescribed by a doctor, benzodiazepines are safe and effective at treating anxiety disorders. However, many doctors are cautious about using them, because they can be addictive and have negative side effects like memory loss. The long-term use of these medications can trigger severe withdrawal symptoms, and those who develop dependence are often unable stop taking them without suffering severe side effects like depression and seizures. The main thing to remember about long-term use of benzos is to use them only for patients who may benefit from them; use them in situations in which they could alleviate anxiety symptoms; avoid long-term use or abrupt discontinuation; reduce the risk of abuse, especially by children; and pair them with effective psychological treatments.

Anxiety medication, such as benzodiazepines, can reduce anxiety by blocking certain nerve signals and preventing them from being activated in the brain. These drugs may make you sleepy and less anxious, but they do not address the root issue that is making you worry.

Meditation, exercise, and yoga are all natural ways to lessen anxiety. Other treatments include cognitive behavior therapy, which teaches you to challenge irrational fears and anxiety.

Antidepressants

SSRIs which are also known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, are a great choice for people suffering from anxiety, as they work with the brain to manage mood. However, they can take between four and six weeks or longer to begin working. If a person doesn't feel better in that time, they should talk with their doctor about changing their medications.

Antidepressants such as mirtazapine or Nefazodone are effective in treating anxiety. They can work faster than older drugs, such as venlafaxine or XR. However it's important to keep in mind that these drugs can trigger severe reactions in some people. If you experience this reaction, call healthdirect on 1800 022222 to talk to an experienced nurse.

treatments for anxiety  are another type of antidepressant which can be used to treat anxiety. They block the actions of enzymes that break down chemicals in the brain, including noradrenaline and dopamine. This allows the levels these chemicals to rise, with a positive effect on mood. MAOIs are usually reserved for patients who do not improve on other antidepressants however they can be very effective in treating anxiety.

Tricyclic antidepressants are amongst the most effective antidepressants that treat anxiety. These drugs are similar to SSRIs in how they treat anxiety and other mental disorders, but they have fewer side effects. They begin at a lower dose and their effectiveness increases as the dose is increased. Tricyclics can be effective in treating panic disorder, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder but they are less likely to treat generalized anxiety disorder.

Buspirone, a more recent antidepressant is also used for anxiety. It acts as an a mild tranquilizer, however it doesn't cause the same side effects as benzodiazepines. It does not affect coordination or memory. It works by increasing serotonin in the brain, and reducing dopamine. As high as 70% of people who take the drug find it to be effective. The risk of side effects tends to diminish as the medication is used for longer periods of time. Talk therapy, such as exposure therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy, is a good option to combine with these drugs to increase their effectiveness.

Buspirone

Buspirone is a generic drug used to treat anxiety disorders. It's taken orally, usually twice a day. It is not a controlled drug, but there is a potential for abuse.

Doctors aren't quite sure how it is working, but they believe that buspirone reduces the amount and actions of a chemical called serotonin that is found in certain areas of the brain. This makes the nervous systems less sensitive to stress and anxiety.

In general, doctors believe that buspirone is to be a safe medication for the majority of people. It is generally believed to be less harmful and has a lower risk of addiction than benzodiazepines and barbiturates. Like other drugs they can cause side effects. The most common side effects are dizziness and nausea. Buspirone can interact with other medications, supplements and other ingredients. Tell your doctor if you are taking any of these prior to beginning the drug.

If you are over 65, your doctor may prescribe a lower dose of buspirone. This is due to the fact that older people tend to react differently to drugs than younger individuals. This is especially true for drugs that affect the nervous system.

It's also essential to inform your doctor if you are taking an inhibitor of monoamine oxidase, such as isocarboxazid (Marplan) or linezolid (Zyvox), phenelzine (Nardil) selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar) or tranylcypromine (Parnate). Buspirone can increase levels of these drugs in your body, leading to serious adverse side effects.

You should also inform your doctor know if have liver disease, kidney disease or stomach problems, or are pregnant or breastfeeding. In these cases, certain medicines, like SSRIs might not be suitable for you.

Your doctor might suggest a different treatment option if buspirone doesn't work or if you are unable to take it due to a medical condition, or due to an interaction with another drug. It could be a brand new type of antidepressant, such as Lexapro, Prozac, a beta-blocker, such as propranolol or a benzodiazepine such as Xanax. The PIL will provide more information on how to take the drug and any possible adverse reactions.

Other Medical Treatments

There are other treatments available to help ease anxiety. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is a possible option. Psychotherapy can teach you how to cope with anxiety and change your way of thinking. Other options include learning relaxation techniques, having a regular exercise routine, and abstaining from the use of alcohol and other drugs. Some people get relief from anxiety symptoms by taking herbal medicines. If you've tried these alternatives but they don't work consult your physician.

Antidepressants andbenzodiazepines are the two main categories of medications used to combat anxiety. Benzodiazepines, such as Ativan (lorazepam), enhance the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA in your brain, which helps to increase calmness. They offer quick relief, but can become addictive if taken for long periods of time. Antidepressants are slower to work, but they balance the levels in your brain of specific neurotransmitters. These chemicals affect your mood.

SSRIs are the most commonly used antidepressants that treat anxiety. They boost the amount of the chemical messenger serotonin in your brain, which may improve your mood and make you feel less stressed. Another antidepressant class, serotonin norepinephrine-reuptake inhibitors known as SNRIs, block the reabsorption process of both serotonin and norepinephrine in your brain, thereby increasing levels of these chemicals and making you feel more energetic. Monoamine inhibitors of oxidase (MAOIs) are another antidepressant class that is often prescribed by people who do not respond to SSRIs to treat anxiety.

There are numerous other medications that can be used to treat anxiety. These include azapirones alpha- and Beta-blockers Antihistamines, for instance Clonidine, hydroxyzine and. Most of these have lower success rates than SSRIs and benzodiazepines.

While medication is an effective treatment for anxiety, it shouldn't be the only option to be employed. Non-pharmacological treatments can be more effective if there is an underlying cause of your anxiety such as debt, poor diet or a bad relationship. Other options include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), biofeedback (which will teach you how to manage your brain's waves using a monitoring device) and mindfulness meditation.