Anxiety Treatments Medication
Anxiety can hinder your everyday activities, so it's important to seek assistance if you suffer from severe anxiety. Treatment options include lifestyle changes like reduction of stress and regular physical activity. Your doctor might recommend psychotherapy.
FDA approved several medications to treat anxiety disorders. These include SSRIs and SNRIs that affect the neurotransmitter, serotonin. Anticonvulsants, such as pregabalin, can also reduce anxiety by altering the GABA receptor.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines are a class of drugs that act on the nervous system to create a calming effect. They work by enhancing the effects of a neurotransmitter known as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. GABA blocks the function of nerves in the spinal cord and brain and helps reduce anxiety.
In contrast to antidepressants that can take weeks to start working, benzodiazepines are able to alleviate anxiety symptoms in a matter of minutes. However, benzodiazepines carry an increased risk of dependence and abuse. This is due to the fact that the body adjusts to benzodiazepines by regular use which can lead to physical dependency. Despite the risk, benzodiazepines are an effective treatment for anxiety, even when other options are not readily available or do not offer relief.
It is essential to speak with your physician prior to taking benzodiazepines. They can help you identify the root of your anxiety, and discuss alternative treatments that might be more suitable. For example the use of talking therapies like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy can help address the root of your anxiety and help you develop how to manage your anxiety.
Benzodiazepines do not usually come first in the treatment of anxiety disorders since they can cause dangerous effects when paired with alcohol or other drugs. They can also be addictive and carry a high chance of overdose. The first benzodiazepines were introduced in the 1950s, starting with chlordiazepoxide (Librium, Limbitrol) followed by diazepam (Valium) and lorazepam (Ativan). All of these drugs have a black box warning that warns that they could cause serious or life-threatening side effects including breathing problems, severe sleepiness, coma, and death if used in conjunction together with opioids or other illegal drugs.
SSRIs
SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are an antidepressant class, and they're the first choice for a lot of people with anxiety. These drugs boost the levels of certain chemical messengers, including serotonin (and norepinephrine) in the brain. They also regulate other important chemicals such as those that control sleep and mood, and reduce stress hormones within the body. Prozac is the most commonly prescribed SSRI. Other SSRIs are Lexapro Zoloft and Paxil. SNRIs are Effexor XR Cymbalta and Pristiq.
Experts aren't quite sure how SSRIs treat anxiety but they do know the drugs improve your brain's functioning. They increase BDNF (brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor) levels, boost glial cells (brain cells that help nourish and protect neurons), and increase serotonin levels. The precise mechanism of action isn't completely understood but it could be an array of factors.
SSRIs as with other kinds of medications, can take up to a month to begin to work. They require regular treatment to maintain their effectiveness. They can trigger adverse effects, such as nausea and diarrhea. They can also result in low sodium levels in certain individuals, and may affect libido in some men. Your doctor will determine the time frame you should take them, depending on your symptoms and the other treatments you're taking. They may recommend that you continue to use them for 6 to 12 months or help you to taper down and end the medication. They might also suggest alternative therapies like psychotherapy, herbs and supplements to alleviate anxiety-related symptoms. For instance, Vistaril can be used for itching, or chamomile for sleep.
Beta-blockers
Beta-blockers, also known as beta-adrenergic blocking agents, stop adrenaline from binding to the heart's receptors. This allows your heart to relax and decreases your blood pressure. They are typically prescribed for anxiety and are an excellent alternative to traditional psychiatric medications that carry some side effects.
While beta-blockers can help alleviate physical symptoms of anxiety, they do not address the underlying mental reasons behind your anxiety. Typically, they are used to manage specific situations which trigger anxiety, like public speaking and flying. They can be utilized in conjunction in conjunction with therapy to treat anxiety disorders, or as a long-term daily medicine.
Due to their method of operation, beta blockers can cause a number of negative effects, including bradycardia and hypotension. You might also feel shaky or sweaty. Certain people suffering from COPD (chronic obstruction of the lungs) or diabetes should not take them.
Beta blockers are widely studied and used despite the negative side effects. They have been on the market for a long time and are considered safe for a majority of adults. Comparatively, they are also fairly affordable and easily accessible. For many, the side effects are worth it in exchange for their effectiveness.
Taking beta-blockers as part of an treatment for anxiety is a good option for those with mild to moderate anxiety. They are more effective than benzodiazepines that are ideal for severe or life-threatening anxiety disorders. However, they will not solve your underlying problem and are best for short-term anxiety like prior to a major event such as an airplane flight or speech. They can help you sleep better, and they can control your blood sugar.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) block the enzyme responsible for breaking down monoamine neurotransmitters. They increase the availability of serotonin and other neurotransmitters such as the epinephrine and melatonin to transmit by blocking their breakdown in neurons. They are most well-known as effective antidepressants and have some efficacy in anxiety disorders. They can be taken alone or in combination. They can also be used to treat Parkinson's disease and other conditions. Eugenol is an essential oil, is found in the bud, leaves, and stems of clove (Syzygium Aromaticum) and the cinnamon bark. In a test tube, Eugenol was found to block MAOI function and could be negatively interacting with these drugs.
MAOIs can have severe side effects and are not typically the first medication doctors prescribe to treat anxiety or depression. Usually, they are reserved for those who have failed to respond to other medications. They also help manage a variety of other diseases, such as Fibromyalgia and Parkinson's disease. They can cause low blood pressure when standing from a lying or sitting position, which is known as orthostatic hypotension.
Typical MAOIs include phenelzine, isocarboxazid, and tranylcypromine. Phenelzine is used for an atypical form of depression and panic disorder. It has limited research on panic disorder. These medications aren't as effective as SSRIs for the majority of patients however, they can be beneficial in treating certain kinds of depression and anxiety disorders.
The more recent reversible MAOIs that are reversible, such as selegiline and moclobemide, are less harmful than the more irreversible MAOIs. They are more effective at increasing monoamine levels involved in depression disorders than the older MAOIs. IamPsychiatry are less likely to cause a high blood pressure reaction, but they still carry some risk of developing dependence on drugs.
Buspirone
Combining psychological therapy with medication is the best method to manage anxiety. The use of medications can help ease symptoms, but only when under the supervision of a medical professional. There are a variety of medications for anxiety, and they can perform differently for each individual. To determine the best medication for you, talk to your doctor and explain your symptoms.
Buspirone is an FDA-approved anxiety medication that works by altering the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine. This helps reduce mood and anxiety symptoms, but it doesn't cause sedation or impair cognitive function. It's also less likely to become habit-forming than other sedatives, like benzodiazepines. This makes it a great option for those seeking to reduce their anxiety, but don't need to take a drug like Xanax.
SSRIs and SNRIs are usually the first line of treatment for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). They are antidepressants that increase a person's serotonin levels and can help regulate mood. They are usually used in conjunction with anxiety medicines like benzodiazepines. They are rarely prescribed for prolonged periods of time because they are addictive and can cause side effects such as drowsiness.
Psychological treatments for GAD that include medication have been proven to be efficient on a short-term basis and can improve the results over time. These include cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) exposure therapy, as well as art or creative therapies. Psychological therapy can help people discover ways to better manage depression and anxiety. This can help them live a fuller life and manage their symptoms. Many of these treatments are accessible online, and some may be covered by your insurance. Brightside is one example. It is an online therapy program that offers CBT and other treatments for depression and anxiety.