Why Treat Anxiety Is Fast Becoming The Trendiest Thing Of 2023?

Meds That Treat Anxiety

Anxiety affects more than 40 million adults in the United States. It's extremely treatable with many types of 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. They're not addictive, as are benzodiazepines.

SSRIs

The most common anxiety medication is selective serotonin inhibits (SSRIs) comprising citalopram, escitalopram, and fluoxetine. These medications are also used to treat depression as well as relieve symptoms of other anxiety disorders such as obsessive compulsive disorder. They may take up to a month for them to begin working.

These drugs work by boosting the levels of certain chemical messengers in the brain, including serotonin and norepinephrine. They're typically the first treatment option for anxiety, but doctors also use other types of antidepressants and 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 work a little differently than SSRIs in that they reduce the reabsorption of norepinephrine and serotonin, but at lower levels than SSRIs. They may take a few days to begin taking effects, and also tend to be more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) like imipramine (Tofranil), are effective in treating some anxiety disorders, notably GAD. However their drowsiness as well as other side effects are what make them less popular. Another type of antidepressant, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are also able to be used to treat anxiety. They are a high risk of toxicity and dietary restrictions restrict their use.

Benzodiazepines are used to treat panic attacks and anxiety in the short-term in the meantime, while waiting for SSRIs and SNRIs. These medications can trigger addiction tolerance, sedation, and tolerance, as well as withdrawal symptoms like a depression, anxiety, and delirium. Benzodiazepines are typically found in alprazolam, clonazepam, as well as lorazepam.

Therapy is an essential part of any treatment for anxiety. It aids you in better be aware of your symptoms and root causes. Many people discover that both therapy and medication aid to manage anxiety. Certain studies have proven that cognitive behavioral therapy is just as effective as anxiety medications. Talk to your doctor to find out what's best for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines have an calming effect, reduce anxiety and relax muscles. They also alleviate symptoms of fear-related bodily stimulation (like heart rate or shaking) and encourage sleep.

The way they work is through binding to inhibitory neurotransmitters, like gamma-aminobutryic acid, or GABA, at receptors 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 amygdala. It is a part of the brain which assesses threats and creates a sense of anxiety.

These medicines are often used for short periods like panic attacks or an anxiety attack. They can help relieve symptoms in 30 to 60 minutes. Unlike SSRIs which are a long-lasting medication, benzodiazepines do not stay in the body for a long time.  treat generalized anxiety disorder -acting and typically take effect in just a couple of hours, making them ideal for situations when you require quick relief (like during an airplane flight or before a public presentation).

As they can be addictive, people are typically prescribed for up to four weeks at a time. After that time, they also lose their effectiveness.

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

Benzos were blamed for negative attitudes towards anxiety that developed in the 1970s and 1980s and included the denial of the disorder, as well as the belief that benzodiazepine treatment lead to physical dependence. However they play an important role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, especially when used in combination with psychosocial interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy.

Benzos can interact with other drugs and trigger unwanted side effects, like drowsiness or confusion. It is recommended to inform your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription, or herbal medicines you are currently taking or are planning to take. You can determine which medications are safe to take along with benzodiazepines through the British National Formulary A-Z list of drug interactions.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants can be effective in treating anxiety and mental illnesses. 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 disorder (GAD). The FDA has approved several antidepressants to treat other health conditions, too, such as eating disorders, certain kinds of pain, and bipolar disorder.

SSRIs are typically prescribed as a first-line treatment option for anxiety by doctors, however they may not work for all people. If these antidepressants don't work the doctor might suggest an older form of medication known as a tetracyclic, or tricyclic antidepressant. This includes amitriptyline, nortriptyline, clomipramine, dothiepin, doxepin, trimipramine or imipramine. They're less popular than the newer antidepressants, but still readily available. You may ask your doctor to prescribe the sedating antidepressant, trazodone(Desyrel), at lower doses if you're experiencing anxiety or sleep problems.

Nefazodone, also referred to as Ferdinand (Cymbalta) and duloxetine can also be beneficial. They are also available in generic forms. If they aren't helping your doctor, you can try the antipsychotics quetiapine and Olanzapine or the sedating antidepressant Mirtazapine.

Medications for other anxiety disorders include beta blockers that reduce the heart rate and blood pressure by preventing the action of adrenaline. These drugs are not usually used to treat anxiety on their own however they can be effective when used in conjunction with psychotherapy.

Psychotherapy can help you to change negative thoughts and behavior that cause anxiety. It can teach you to manage your anxiety and develop coping skills. Based on your specific situation, you may receive exposure or cognitive behavioural therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps you to challenge negative and fearful thoughts and overcome your fear of situations that cause anxiety. The process involves increasing the anxiety provoking situations until they are manageable. It can be performed either in a group, or by yourself. In both cases, it takes time to achieve results. Some people find that the combination of medication and psychotherapy is the best option. Others discover that medications alone are enough to manage their symptoms. Discuss with your doctor how you manage your symptoms.

Other Medications

Other medications can also aid in relieving your symptoms. Antihistamines and beta blockers are often prescribed to ease anxiety.

These medications can help reduce your symptoms, by reducing or blocking the signals that cause anxiety and stress. But, they're not an all-in-one solution. You'll still have to do other things to manage anxiety, such as physical exercise as well as relaxation techniques and psychotherapy.

Your doctor might first prescribe one of the "first choice" anxiety medications, which include SSRIs and SNRIs. They are the most effective drugs to treat anxiety disorders, according to research studies. SSRIs are typically found in sertraline (Zoloft) as well as the fluoxetine, citalopram and escitalopram. These medications might have mild side effects, such as insomnia or nausea, but they typically subside within 4-8 weeks. Contrary to benzodiazepines they're not addictive and won't increase the risk of suicidal thoughts.

The benzodiazepines such as alprazolam diazepoxide, and clonazepam (Valium) offer immediate relief from anxiety and panic attacks. However, they could cause adverse effects, including drowsiness and dizziness. They may also cause problems with coordination and memory, and may even cause dependence. They're less well-known than the barbiturates of the past, but they're just as effective.

Antihistamines like Vistaril (hydroxyzine) were originally designed to help with allergies. However, they are also used to ease anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine block histamine receptors within the brain and may cause a calming effect. It's not a controlled drug and therefore doesn't carry the same risks of addiction as benzodiazepines.

Anticonvulsants are another type of medication which can aid in reducing anxiety. They have been found to reduce anxiety by blocking the production and release of dopamine as well as sérotonin. These medications may be used as part of an integrated therapy or to treat anxiety in the short term. Your doctor will evaluate your health history and symptoms to determine if these drugs are appropriate for you. They'll also talk about how long you should be taking them and any possible negative side effects. Anxiety medications are only available through prescription, which means that you'll need a psychiatrist to prescribe it.