anxiety-treatment

Anxiety Treatment MedicationsPeople with anxiety disorders often improve with psychotherapy and medication. Benzodiazepines such as Xanax, Klonopin, and Valium are used to help with anxiety.Antidepressants are also used to alleviate anxiety. SSRIs like citalopram (Celexa) and fluoxetine (Prozac) work by preventing neurons in the brain from absorbing serotonin, a chemical that influences mood.BenzodiazepinesBenzodiazepines (benzos) are powerful drugs that treat anxiety very well and work quickly. They are also physically addictive and pose serious risks to your safety if you use them for long periods. This is why they should always be prescribed and administered under the guidance of a medical professional. They can be used as an “as required” treatment for panic attacks and other severe anxiety attacks. Benzos can be utilized in combination with psychotherapy, antidepressants and other medications to treat anxiety disorders.Benzos can be extremely effective in treating anxiety for a short duration, and they can aid in sleeping well. However they are also dangerous when used in excess, and are not recommended to be used in conjunction with other medications. When benzodiazepines are mixed with sedatives like opioid pain medication and alcohol the risk of death or overdose increases. They can also interact with some antidepressants, which can cause severe and life-threatening withdrawal symptoms.If prescribed by a doctor, benzodiazepines are safe and effective at treating anxiety disorders. Many doctors are cautious when prescribing them as they can trigger addiction and have adverse side effects, like memory loss. In the long run, they can trigger a severe withdrawal reaction and those who are dependent on them are frequently not able to stop taking them without experiencing severe side effects such as depression and seizures. The most important aspect to long-term benzo use is to prescribe them only to patients who may benefit from their use, and making use of them in settings that are likely improve anxiety symptoms, avoiding long-term withdrawal or abrupt discontinuation and reducing the risk of abuse and combining them with effective psychological intervention.Anxiety medications, like benzodiazepines can help ease anxiety by blocking certain nerve signals and stopping them from firing in the brain. These drugs can make you sleepy and less anxious, but they will not resolve the root cause that causes anxiety.There are many natural ways to ease your anxiety, such as meditation, exercise and yoga. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a different treatment. You learn to overcome irrational worries and fears.AntidepressantsSSRIs, or selective serotonin receptor inhibitors, are a good choice for those suffering from anxiety because they work with the brain to manage mood. It can take up to four weeks for them to start working. If one does not feel better during the time frame, they should talk with their doctor about changing their medication.Newer antidepressants, such as mirtazapine and nefazodone are also effective in treating anxiety. They may be more effective when compared to older drugs such as venlafaxine or XR. However it is important to remember that these drugs can trigger severe reactions in some people. If you encounter this reaction, contact healthdirect on 1800 022222 to talk to a registered nurse.MAOIs are an additional type of antidepressant that can be used to treat anxiety. They block enzymes that break chemicals in the brain down to noradrenaline, among others. This causes the levels of these chemicals to rise, with a positive effect on mood. MAOIs are typically reserved for patients who are not improving on other antidepressants however, they can be effective in treating anxiety.Tricyclic antidepressants are amongst most effective antidepressants for treating anxiety. These medications treat anxiety and mental disorders in a way similar as SSRIs however, with fewer negative side effects. These medicines are effective at low doses, however their effectiveness increases as you increase the dosage. Tricyclics are effective in treating anxiety, panic disorders, and obsessive compulsive disorder. However, they might not be as effective in treating generalized anxiety disorder.A newer antidepressant, called buspirone is also used to treat anxiety. It acts as a mild tranquilizer, but it doesn’t have the same side effects as benzodiazepines. It does not affect coordination or memory. It increases serotonin in the brain and decreasing dopamine. The drug can be effective for up to 70% of people who take it. The side effects tend to decrease as the medication is used for longer periods of time. Talk therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and/or exposure therapy, is a good option to combine with these medications to improve their effect.BuspironeBuspirone is a generic medicine that’s used to treat anxiety disorders. It’s taken by mouth typically twice daily. It’s not a controlled drug, but it does have potential for abuse.Doctors aren’t sure exactly how buspirone works, but believe that it decreases the amount of serotonin as well as its actions in certain regions of the brain. This makes the nervous system less responsive to stress and anxiety.Buspirone is generally considered safe by doctors for the majority of people. It is generally believed to have a lower level of toxicity and a smaller risk for addiction than benzodiazepines or barbiturates. However, just like other drugs they can trigger adverse effects. The most common ones are nausea and dizziness. Buspirone may interact with other medicines, supplements, and ingredients. Inform your doctor if you take any of these prior to starting the medication.If you are older than 65, your doctor might prescribe buspirone in a lower dosage. This is because older individuals tend to react differently to drugs than younger individuals. This is particularly true for drugs that affect the nervous system.Tell your doctor if any of these drugs are taking by you. These include isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, selegiline, Emsam, Zelapar, and tranylcypromine. Buspirone may increase the amount of these drugs within your body, which can lead to serious side negative effects.You should also let your doctor know if you have liver disease, kidney disease or stomach problems or are breastfeeding or pregnant. In these situations, certain medicines, such as SSRIs might not be suitable for you.Your doctor could recommend a different treatment if buspirone doesn’t work or in the event that you are unable to take it due to a medical condition, or due to an interaction with another drug. anxiety treatment at home could be a different type of antidepressant, like Lexapro or Prozac or beta blockers such as propranolol; or a benzodiazepine drug, like Xanax. The PIL will provide more details about the best way to make use of the drug as well as possible adverse reactions.Other Medical TreatmentsThere are many other treatments available that can help reduce anxiety. Talk therapy or psychotherapy is an option. Psychotherapy can teach you how to deal with anxiety and change your ways of thinking. Other options include learning relaxation techniques, a regular workout routine, and avoiding the use of alcohol and other drugs. Herbal medications can help some sufferers with anxiety-related symptoms. If you try these options and they don’t help consult your physician.The medications used for anxiety treatment typically fall into two broad categories: benzodiazepines and antidepressants. Benzodiazepines, like Ativan (lorazepam), enhance the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid or GABA in your brain to help promote peace. They offer quick relief, however they can be addictive if they are used for a long time. Antidepressants are more difficult to use, but they stabilize the levels in your brain of certain chemicals called neurotransmitters that affect your mood.Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, are the most well-known kind of antidepressant used to treat anxiety. They increase the amount serotonin which is a chemical messenger in your brain. This can boost your mood and cause you to feel less anxious. Another class of antidepressants is serotonin norepinephrine-reuptake inhibitors or SNRIs, prevent the reabsorption of both serotonin and norepinephrine in your brain, increasing levels of these chemicals and making you feel more energized. Monoamine inhibitors of oxidase (MAOIs) are another antidepressant class that is often used by those who do not respond to SSRIs to combat anxiety.There are a variety of other medicines that are often used to treat anxiety, such as azapirones (such as buspirone) as well as alpha- and beta-blockers, antihistamines (such as hydroxyzine) and Clonidine. These medicines have a lower chance of success than SSRIs or benzodiazepines.Although medication is a very effective treatment for anxiety but it shouldn’t be the sole treatment you employ. Non-drug treatments can be more effective if you have an underlying reason for your anxiety such as eating disorders, debt or an unhealthy relationship. Other options include cognitive-behavioral therapy, also known as biofeedback, which allows you to manage your own brain waves with a monitoring device and mindfulness meditation, a form of meditation that focuses on the present moment.