 Anxiety Treatment Medications
 Psychotherapy and medication can aid people suffering from anxiety disorders. Treatments for anxiety include benzodiazepines like Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Valium (diazepam).
Antidepressants can also be used to treat anxiety. SSRIs like fluoxetine and citalopram are effective in preventing nerve cells in the brain from absorbing serotonin. This chemical affects mood.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines (benzos) are powerful medicines which treat anxiety well and can be used quickly. They are also physically addictive and carry serious safety risks if used for a long time. They should be taken only under the supervision of a medical professional. They can be useful as an "as required" treatment for panic attacks or other extreme anxiety episodes. Benzos are usually used in conjunction with other medications such as antidepressants or psychotherapy (talk therapy), as part of a comprehensive anxiety disorder treatment plan.
Benzos are extremely effective for short-term anxiety relief and can help you get a good night's sleep. However, they can be dangerous when used in excess, and are not suitable for use with some other medications. When combined with sedatives like alcohol or pain medications, benzodiazepines may increase the risk of a fatal overdose and even death. They can also interact with antidepressants, which can cause severe and life-threatening withdrawal symptoms.
If prescribed by a physician If prescribed by a physician, benzodiazepines can be safe and effective in treating anxiety disorders. However, a lot of doctors are cautious about using them, because they can be addictive and cause adverse side effects such as memory loss. The long-term use of these medications can cause severe withdrawal symptoms and those who become dependent are usually unable to stop taking them without experiencing severe side effects like seizures and depression. The key to long-term benzo use is: prescribing them only to those who might benefit from their use, making use of them in settings that will likely help improve anxiety symptoms, avoiding long-term withdrawal or abrupt discontinuation and reducing the risk of abuse and combing them with a psychological intervention.
Anxiety medications, like benzodiazepines, can alleviate anxiety by blocking certain nerve signals and stopping them from being released in the brain. These drugs can assist you in sleeping more comfortably and feel less stressed but they can't fix the root cause of what makes you anxious (like mounting bills or an unhealthy relationship).
Meditation, exercise yoga, and meditation are all natural ways to treat anxiety disorder ways to decrease anxiety. Other treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy, which teaches you to confront your irrational fears and worries.
Antidepressants
SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are a viable option for anxiety because they affect the brain to regulate mood. It could take up to four weeks for them to begin working. If someone does not feel better during that time they should speak with their doctor about changing their medication.
Newer antidepressants like mirtazapine and nefazodone are also effective in treating anxiety. They can be more effective than older medications like venlafaxine and XR. However it's important to keep in mind that these medications can cause a severe reaction in some individuals. If you encounter this reaction, contact healthdirect at 1800 022222 to speak to a registered nurse.
MAOIs are a different kind of antidepressant which can be used to treat anxiety. They block the actions of enzymes that breakdown chemicals in the brain which include dopamine and noradrenaline. This allows the levels these chemicals to rise and have a positive impact on mood. MAOIs are generally reserved for those who do not respond to other kinds of antidepressants, however, they can be effective in treating anxiety.
Tricyclic antidepressants are amongst the most effective antidepressants for treating anxiety. These drugs are similar to SSRIs in their approach to treating anxiety and other mental disorders, but they are not as prone to negative side effects. These medicines are effective at small doses, but their effectiveness increases as you increase the dosage. Tricyclics may be effective for treating panic disorder, anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder, however they are less likely to aid in treating generalized anxiety disorder.
A newer antidepressant, buspirone, is also used to treat anxiety. It is a mild tranquilizer but it doesn't cause the same negative side effects as benzodiazepines. It also doesn't impair the ability to concentrate and memory. It works by boosting the serotonin levels in the brain and decreasing dopamine. The drug is effective for up to 70 per cent of those who try it. The adverse effects are likely to decrease as the medication is taken for longer durations. Talk therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy and/or exposure therapy, is a good option to combine with these medications to enhance their effect.
Buspirone
Buspirone is a generic medication used to treat anxiety disorders. It is taken orally generally twice daily. It's not a controlled drug however, it has the potential to be abused.
Doctors aren't certain of the exact way buspirone works, but believe that it reduces the levels of serotonin and its effects in certain areas of the brain. This makes the nervous systems less susceptible to anxiety and stress.
Buspirone is generally regarded as safe by doctors for the vast majority of people. It's generally regarded to have a lower level of toxicity and a lower risk of addiction than barbiturates and benzodiazepines. However, as with other medications there are side effects. Most commonly, they are dizziness and nausea. Buspirone can interact with other medicines, supplements and other ingredients. Tell your doctor if you are taking any of these before starting the medication.
If you are older than 65, your doctor might give you buspirone at a lower dose. This is because people who are older tend to react differently to drugs than younger individuals. This is especially true for drugs that affect the nervous system.
It's also important to tell your doctor if you're taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), linezolid (Zyvox) or phenelzine (Nardil) selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar) or tranylcypromine (Parnate). Buspirone can increase the levels of these drugs in your body, leading to serious adverse side negative effects.
You should also let your doctor know if suffer from kidney disease, liver disease or stomach problems, or are breastfeeding or pregnant. Certain medicines, like SSRIs are not suitable for you under these situations.
If buspirone doesn't work or you are unable to use it due to a medical condition or interaction with other medications or other medication, your doctor will recommend an alternative treatment for anxiety. This could be a different type of antidepressant, like Lexapro or Prozac or beta blockers such as propranolol or a benzodiazepine, such as Xanax. The PIL for each drug will provide more information about how to take it as well as possible adverse effects.
Other Medicines
There are other treatments available that can help reduce anxiety. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is one option. Psychotherapy can help you change the way you think about your anxiety and teach you strategies for coping to manage it. Other options include acquiring relaxation techniques as well as maintaining a regular exercise routine, and abstaining from using drugs and alcohol. Herbal medications can help some people suffering from anxiety symptoms. If you try these options but they don't work talk to your doctor.
Medications used as an anxiety treatment generally fall into two broad categories: antidepressants and benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines, such as Ativan or lorazepam boost the activity of GABA in your brain, which promotes tranquility. They can provide relief quickly, but they can also become addictive if used for a long time. Antidepressants take longer to work but balance the levels of certain chemicals in your brain, known as neurotransmitters, that influence your mood.
SSRIs are the most commonly used antidepressants used to treat anxiety. They boost the amount of serotonin which is a chemical messenger in your brain. This can boost your mood or cause you to feel less anxious. Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) are a different antidepressant that prevents the reabsorption of serotonin and norepinephrine from your brain. This boosts the levels of these chemicals in your body and makes you feel more energized. A third class of antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, or MAOIs, is sometimes used to treat anxiety among people who aren't responding to SSRIs.
There are many other medicines that can be used to treat anxiety. They include azapirones, alpha- and Beta-blockers, Antihistamines, such as Clonidine and hydroxyzine. These medicines have a lower chance of success than SSRIs or benzodiazepines.
Although medication is an effective anxiety treatment but it shouldn't be the only option you choose to use. If you have a root reason for your anxiety such as debt, a poor diet, or a bad relationship, non-drug therapies may be more effective. Other options include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), biofeedback (which helps you to regulate your brain's activity by using a device to monitor them) and mindfulness meditation.
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Guide To Anxiety Treatment Medicines: The Intermediate Guide The Steps To Anxiety Treatment Medicines
