• 목록
• 답변
• 글쓰기
• 게시판 리스트 옵션
  • 수정
  • 삭제

Meds That Treat Anxiety

Anxiety affects 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. Contrary to benzodiazepines they're not addictive.

SSRIs

The most common anxiety medication is selective serotonin reuptake inhibits (SSRIs), including citalopram, escitalopram, and fluoxetine. These drugs are also used to treat depression and relieve symptoms of anxiety disorders such as obsessive compulsive disorder. It could take up to a month for them to begin working.

These drugs work by boosting the levels of certain chemical messengers within the brain, such as serotonin and norepinephrine. These are typically the first option to treat anxiety, but doctors can also prescribe other types of antidepressants, also known as benzodiazepines.

Another class of antidepressants called serotonin and norepinephrine receptor inhibitors (SNRIs) such as duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor) are used to treat anxiety. They are a bit different from SSRIs as they reduce norepinephrine, but at a lower degree than SSRIs. These medications take a long time to take effect and are more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants, such as imipramine Tofranil, can be effective in treating anxiety disorders. Their drowsiness, and other adverse effects make them less popular. Monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs) are another kind of antidepressant used to treat anxiety. Their high toxicity risk and restrictions on diets make them unsuitable for use.

Benzodiazepines are often used to treat panic attacks and anxiety 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 delirium. Benzodiazepines are typically found in alprazolam, clonazepam, and lorazepam.

Therapy is a crucial component of a treatment plan for anxiety because it allows you to discover more about the symptoms and the root causes. Many people find that medication and therapy both aid in coping. Certain studies have demonstrated that cognitive behavioral therapy is just as effective as medication for anxiety. Talk to your doctor about your options and which could be the best choice for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines have a calming effect, decrease anxiety and relax muscles that are tense. They also alleviate symptoms of bodily stimulation related to fear (like heart racing or trembling) and encourage sleep.

The way they work is by binding to inhibitory neurotransmitters, like gamma-aminobutryic acids or GABA and interacting with receptors in the central nervous system. They enhance the effects of GABA by facilitating its inhibitory effect on other neurotransmitters and decreasing the amount of messages that are sent to the amygdala, a region of the brain which detects threats and gives the sensation of fear.

These drugs can be used for short durations of time, such as when a panic attack occurs or if you are experiencing severe anxiety. They can relieve symptoms within 30 to 60 minutes. Benzodiazepines are different from SSRIs aren't able to remain in the body long. They're fast-acting and can be effective within a few hours. This makes them ideal for situations in which immediate relief is needed (such for instance, on an airplane or before a presentation in public).

They are addictive, and people are generally only prescribed them for up to 4 weeks at a time. After that, they also lose their effectiveness.

One of the reasons why benzodiazepines are so popular is because they are safe and have fewer side effects compared to their predecessors such as barbiturates and meprobamate. They are fast in the start of action and are very effective as anxiolytics (anti-anxiety) as well as sedatives and anticonvulsants and as muscle relaxants.

Benzos were blamed for the negative attitudes towards anxiety that emerged during the 1970s and 80s and included the denial of the disorder and the perception that benzodiazepine treatments lead to physical dependence. Despite this, benzodiazepines continue to play a major role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, especially when combined with psychosocial interventions like cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapies.

Benzos may interact with other medications, holistic Anxiety treatment causing undesirable side effects like drowsiness or confusion. It is essential to inform your doctor know about any other prescription, non-prescription, or herbal medication you're currently taking or thinking about taking. Go through the British National Formulary A to Z list of medication interactions to find out which medicines are safe to take with benzodiazepines.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants can ease anxiety and other mental health conditions. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, antidepressants -- like SSRIs and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) -- can help reduce chronic anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorders and generalized anxiety treatment anxiety disorder (GAD). The FDA has approved many antidepressants for other health conditions, too, such as eating disorders, certain kinds of pain and bipolar disorder.

SSRIs are often prescribed as a first-line treatment option for anxiety by doctors, however they might not work for all people. If they fail doctors might look at the more traditional antidepressant, known as a tricyclic or tetracyclic antidepressant. This includes amitriptyline, nortriptyline, clomipramine, dothiepin, doxepin, trimipramine or imipramine. These antidepressants aren't as common but they are still available. You may ask your doctor to prescribe the sedating antidepressant trazodone(Desyrel), at lower doses if you're having sleep problems or anxiety.

Other antidepressants that could aid are the nefazodone (Ferdinand) and duloxetine (Cymbalta). They're also available in generic forms. If they don't work your doctor, you can try the antipsychotics quetiapine or olanzapine or the sedating antidepressant Mirtazapine.

Beta blockers are used to treat anxiety disorders. They lower heart rate and blood pressure by blocking adrenaline. These medications aren't typically used to treat anxiety on their own however they can be effective when coupled with psychotherapy.

Psychotherapy can help you to alter negative thoughts and behaviors that contribute towards your holistic anxiety treatment. It can help you to manage your anxiety and develop coping skills. Depending on the severity of your problem, exposure therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy may be recommended. Cognitive behavioural therapy assists you to overcome negative thoughts, fearful thoughts and to overcome the fear of situations that trigger anxiety. Exposure therapy involves increasing the intensity of anxiety-inducing situations until they can be managed. This can be done individually or in smaller groups. In both cases, it takes time to achieve results. A combination of medication and psychological therapy is the best option for some individuals. However, others discover that medications alone are enough to manage their symptoms. It's important to tell your doctor about the things you're doing to manage your symptoms.

Other Medicines

Other drugs can also aid in relieving your symptoms. Beta blockers, antihistamines and buspirone are all sometimes prescribed to reduce anxiety.

These medications can help ease your symptoms, by reducing or blocking signals that trigger anxiety and stress. However, they're not a cure all. You'll still need to do other things to reduce your anxiety, including exercises as well as relaxation techniques and psychological therapy.

Your doctor might initially prescribe one of the "first choice" anxiety medications, which include SSRIs and SNRIs. According to studies, these medications are the most effective in treating anxiety disorders. SSRIs are typically found in sertraline (Zoloft) and the fluoxetine, citalopram and escitalopram. These medications can cause minor side effects, such as insomnia and nausea, however they usually disappear within 4-8 weeks. In contrast to benzodiazepines, these are not addictive and don't increase your risk for suicidal ideas.

The benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam, diazepoxide and clonazepam (Valium) offer immediate relief from anxiety and panic attacks. However, they may cause adverse effects, including drowsiness and dizziness. They can also trigger problems with coordination and memory and may even cause dependence. They're a less popular choice than the older barbiturates, but they're just as effective.

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

Anticonvulsants are another type of medication which can be used to treat anxiety. They have been shown to reduce anxiety through interfering in the production and release dopamine and sérotonin. They might be prescribed in combination with other medications or as a short-term treatment for anxiety. Your doctor will examine 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 and any adverse effects that could occur. Anxiety medications are only available on prescription, which means that you'll need a psychiatrist to prescribe it.