8 Tips To Increase Your Treat Anxiety Game

Meds That Treat Anxiety

Anxiety affects 40 million people in the United States. It's highly treatable, with various types of medication 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. They're not addictive, as are benzodiazepines.

SSRIs

The most commonly used anxiety medication is selective serotonin inhibits (SSRIs) which include citalopram, escitalopram, and fluoxetine. These drugs also help with depression, and can help relieve symptoms associated with other anxiety disorders, like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). They can take up to a month for them to begin working.

They work by increasing the levels of certain chemical messengers within the brain, such as serotonin and norepinephrine. They're usually the first treatment option for anxiety, but doctors also employ other kinds of antidepressants and benzodiazepines.

Another class of antidepressants known as serotonin and norepinephrine receptor inhibitors (SNRIs) such as duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor), are also used to treat anxiety. They are a bit different from SSRIs since they reduce norepinephrine but at a lower rate than SSRIs. These medications can take a while to start taking effect, and they also tend to be more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), such as imipramine (Tofranil), can be effective in treating certain anxiety disorders, notably GAD. Their drowsiness, along with other side effects make them less popular. Another type of antidepressant, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are also able to be used to combat anxiety. Their high toxicity risk and the restriction on dietary intake limit their use.

Benzodiazepines can be used treat anxiety and panic attacks in the short-term, while waiting for SSRIs and SNRIs. These drugs can trigger tolerance addiction, sedation as well as withdrawal reactions that may cause depression, anxiety, and even delirium. Benzodiazepines can be found in alprazolam, clonazepam, as well as lorazepam.

Therapy is an essential part of any anxiety treatment plan. It assists you to better be aware of your symptoms and causes. Many people find that both therapy and medication help them manage their anxiety. In fact, some studies suggest that cognitive behavior therapy is as effective as anxiety medications. Speak to your doctor to determine what is the best option for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines can have a calming effect that reduces anxiety and relaxes tense muscle. They also reduce symptoms of fear-related bodily arousal (like heart racing and trembling) and encourage sleep.

The way they function is through binding to inhibitory neurotransmitters like gamma-aminobutryic acid, or GABA which is a receptor in the central nervous system. They boost the effects of GABA by facilitating the inhibitory effect of GABA on other neurotransmitters, and by reducing the volume of messages sent to the amygdala. It is a part of the brain that is able to detect the threat and triggers a feeling of anxiety.

These medications can be utilized for short periods of time for instance, when a panic attack occurs or if you are experiencing severe anxiety. They can help relieve symptoms in 30 to 60 minutes. Benzodiazepines are different from SSRIs don't stay in the body long. They're quick-acting and typically take effect in just a couple of hours, making them suitable for situations in which quick relief is needed (like on a plane flight or before giving a public presentation).

They are addictive, and people are usually prescribed them for up to four weeks at each time. After that period, they also cease to be effective.

One of the main reasons benzodiazepines became so popular is that they worked and had minimal side effects, when compared to their predecessors, such as meprobamate or barbiturates. They are safe and have a rapid onset and can be employed as anxiolytics to decrease anxiety. They can also be used as sedatives, anticonvulsants, and muscle relaxants.

Benzos were blamed for the negative attitudes towards anxiety that developed in the 1970s and 80s, including the minimization of the disorder, and the perception that benzodiazepine treatments can lead to physical dependence. Despite this, benzodiazepines continue to play a significant role in the treatment for anxiety disorders, especially when combined with psychosocial interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapies.

Benzos can interact with other medications, causing unwanted side effects, like drowsiness or confusion. It is important to inform your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription, or herbal medication you currently take or plan to take. Take a look at the British National Formulary A to Z list of interactions with medications to find out which medicines are safe to take with benzodiazepines.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants can help ease anxiety and other mental health problems. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, antidepressants -- like SSRIs and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) -- can help reduce chronic Anxiety self treatment for anxiety Holistic (Bysee3.Com) disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorders and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The FDA has approved a variety of antidepressants to treat other health conditions as well, including eating disorders, some types of pain, and bipolar disorder.

SSRIs are often prescribed as a first-line treatment option for anxiety by doctors, but they may not work for everyone. If the antidepressants do not work doctors may suggest an older form of medication called a tetracyclic or tricyclic antidepressant. This includes amitriptyline, nortriptyline, clomipramine and trimipramine, dothiepin, doxepin or imipramine. These antidepressants are not as popular but still accessible. Your doctor can prescribe the antidepressant with a sedating effect, Trazodone (Desyrel) at lower doses to treat anxiety or insomnia.

Other antidepressants that may help include the nefazodone (Ferdinand) and duloxetine (Cymbalta). These medications are also available in generic forms. If they don't work, your doctor may suggest the sedating antidepressant mirtazapine (Remeron) or the antipsychotics quetiapine or olanzapine.

Medications for other anxiety disorders include beta blockers that reduce the blood pressure and heart rate by blocking the actions of adrenaline. These drugs aren't usually used for anxiety alone however they can be beneficial when combined with psychological therapy.

Psychotherapy can help you change negative thoughts and behaviors that cause anxiety. It can help you to control your anxiety, and build coping skills. Based on the severity of your condition exposure therapy or cognitive behavior therapy could be suggested. Cognitive behavioural therapy teaches you to challenge unhelpful and fearful thoughts, and overcome your avoidance of situations that cause anxiety. Exposure therapy involves gradually increasing the intensity of anxiety-provoking situations until you can cope with the stressors. It can be done either individually or in smaller groups. In both cases, results can take a while to show. Some people find that the combination of psychotherapy and medication is the best treatment for social anxiety choice. Others find that medication alone is sufficient to treat their symptoms. Discuss with your doctor how you manage your symptoms.

Other Medications

Other medications can also help alleviate your symptoms. Beta blockers and antihistamines are often prescribed to ease anxiety.

These drugs can help you alleviate your symptoms by reducing or blocking signals that cause stress and fear. But, they're not a cure all. You'll still need to do things to reduce anxiety, such as exercises relaxation techniques, relaxation techniques and psychotherapy.

SSRIs or SNRIs are your first choice of anxiety medication that your doctor might prescribe. They are the most effective drugs to treat anxiety disorders, according to research studies. Common SSRIs include sertraline (Zoloft) as well as fluoxetine (Prozac), citalopram (Celexa), and escitalopram (Lexapro). These medications can cause mild side effects like nausea and insomnia, but they usually disappear within 4-8 weeks. They aren't addictive, and they don't increase the risk of suicidal thoughts.

The benzodiazepines, alprazolam (Xanax) and Clonazepam (Klonopin) and diazepoxide (Valium) offer immediate relief from panic attacks and anxiety However, they can cause side effects, including dizziness, drowsiness and coordination issues, as well as dependence. They're not as popular over the more traditional barbiturates however, they're equally effective.

Antihistamines, such as Vistaril (hydroxyzine), were created to treat allergies, but they're also sometimes used to ease anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine blocks histamine receptors in the brain and can cause the body to relax. It is not a controlled drug and therefore does not have the same risk of addiction as benzodiazepines.

Another kind of medication that can aid with anxiety is a group of medications called anticonvulsants. They have been shown to ease anxiety by affecting the production and release of serotonin and dopamine. They may be prescribed in conjunction with other drugs or as a temporary treatment for anxiety. Your doctor will review your health history and symptoms to determine if these drugs are suitable for you. They will discuss the length of time you should take these medications as well as any possible negative side effects that might occur. Anxiety medications are only available on prescription, which means that you'll need a psychiatrist to prescribe it.