social anxiety treatment and medication can help those suffering from anxiety disorders. Treatments for anxiety include benzodiazepines such as Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Valium (diazepam).
Antidepressants can also help with anxiety. SSRIs like citalopram (Celexa) and fluoxetine (Prozac) are effective in preventing neurons in the brain from absorbing serotonin, an ingredient that affects mood.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines (benzos) are powerful medications which treat anxiety well and can be used quickly. However, they also are physically addictive and they pose serious safety risks when used for prolonged durations. They should only be used under the supervision of a doctor. They can be used as an "as-needed" treatment for panic attacks as well as other severe anxiety episodes. Benzos can be used in conjunction with antidepressants, psychotherapy and other medications to treat anxiety disorders.
Benzos are extremely effective for short-term anxiety relief, and they can aid in getting an excellent night's rest. They can be dangerous when used in excess and are not recommended to be used with other medicines. When benzodiazepines are mixed with sedatives, such as alcohol and opioid pain medication the risk of death or overdose rises. They also can interact negatively with antidepressants and trigger severe withdrawal symptoms.
When prescribed by your doctor, benzodiazepines can be effective and safe when treating anxiety disorders. A lot of doctors are cautious when prescribing them due to the fact that they can lead to addiction and adverse side effects, including memory loss. Long-term use can cause a severe withdrawal reaction and those who are dependent on them are frequently incapable of stopping their use without experiencing severe symptoms like depression and seizures. The key to long-term benzo use is to use them only for patients who could benefit from them; utilize them in clinical situations that will likely improve anxiety symptoms; avoid long-term use or abrupt discontinuation; reduce the possibility of abuse, particularly by children; and combine them with effective psychological treatments.
Anxiety medications such as benzodiazepines are a great way to ease anxiety. They accomplish this by blocking certain nerves signals and thus preventing their brains from firing. These drugs may help you sleep and feel less anxious but they will not solve the underlying issue that causes anxiety.
There are some natural ways to reduce anxiety, such as exercise, meditation and yoga. Other treatments include cognitive behavior therapy, in which you learn to challenge irrational fears and anxieties.
Antidepressants
SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are a viable option for people suffering from anxiety since they affect the brain to control mood. However, they may take anywhere from four to six weeks or longer to begin working. If the person does not feel better after this time you should talk to their doctor about changing medications.
Newer antidepressants, such as mirtazapine and nefazodone can also be beneficial in treating anxiety. They may work faster in comparison to older drugs such as venlafaxine or XR. It is important to keep in mind that these medications may cause severe reactions in some people. If they experience this reaction you should seek immediate medical attention or contact healthdirect at 1800 022 222 to speak with an experienced nurse (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria).
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors, or MAOIs, are another kind of antidepressant that can be used to treat anxiety. They block enzymes that break down chemicals in the brain into noradrenaline. This causes the levels of these chemicals to rise, with a positive effect on mood. MAOIs are typically reserved for patients who do not respond well to other antidepressants. However they can be extremely effective in treating anxiety.
The most effective antidepressants for anxiety are the tricyclic antidepressants. They are similar to SSRIs in the way they treat anxiety and other mental disorders, however they have fewer side effects. These medications start at a lower dose and their effectiveness increases as the dose is increased. Tricyclics are effective for treating panic disorder, anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder, but they are less likely to treat generalized anxiety disorder.
Buspirone, an antidepressant that is newer, is also used for anxiety. It is a mild tranquilizer but does not cause the same negative side effects as benzodiazepines. It also doesn't impair the ability to concentrate and memory. It is a way of increasing serotonin levels in the brain and decreasing dopamine. As high as 70% of those who take the drug find it to be effective. As the drug is taken longer, the risk of side effects decrease. Talk therapy, for instance cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure therapy, can be used in conjunction with these drugs to increase the effectiveness.
Buspirone
Buspirone is a medication used to treat anxiety disorders. It's taken by mouth, usually twice a day. It is not a controlled drug however there is a chance of abuse.
Doctors aren't sure exactly how buspirone works, but believe that it decreases the amount of serotonin and its actions in specific areas of the brain. This makes the nervous systems less sensitive to anxiety and stress.
Buspirone is generally regarded as safe by doctors for the majority of people. It is generally thought to be less toxic and has a lower chance of addiction than benzodiazepines or barbiturates. However, just like other drugs there are adverse effects. The most frequent ones are dizziness and nausea. It is essential to inform your doctor about all the medicines, supplements and other ingredients you're taking before starting buspirone, because it could interact with them.
If you are older than 65, your doctor could give you a lower dose of buspirone. This is due to the fact that older people tend to react differently to drugs than younger individuals. This is particularly true for drugs that affect the nervous system.
Inform your doctor if any of these drugs are taken by you. These include isocarboxazid selegiline, phenelzine, linezolid, Emsam, Zelapar, and tranylcypromine. Buspirone can cause serious side effects by increasing the concentrations of these drugs.
It is also important to let your doctor know if you suffer from kidney illness, stomach issues or are breastfeeding or pregnant. Some medicines, such as SSRIs, may not be appropriate for you in these circumstances.
If buspirone isn't working, or you can't use it due to an illness or interaction with a different medication Your doctor may prescribe an alternative method of treatment for anxiety. It could be a brand new type of antidepressant, such as Lexapro, Prozac, a beta-blocker, such as propranolol or a benzodiazepine such as Xanax. The PIL for each drug will contain more details on how to take it as well as possible adverse reactions.
Other Medications
In addition to medications, there are other treatments that can help alleviate anxiety. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is one of the options. Psychotherapy can assist you in changing the way you think about your anxiety and teach you coping strategies to manage anxiety. Other options include learning relaxation techniques, having a regular exercise routine, and avoiding alcohol and drugs. Herbal medications can help some people suffering from anxiety symptoms. If none of these options work, talk to your doctor.
The two major categories of medication used to treat anxiety. Benzodiazepines, such as Ativan, or lorazepam, increase the activity of GABA in your brain, which promotes peace. They provide rapid relief however they can be addictive if taken for long periods of time. Antidepressants take longer to work but they can balance the levels of certain chemicals in your brain, called neurotransmitters. They affect your mood.
Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, are the most common type of antidepressant for anxiety. They boost the levels of the chemical messenger serotonin in your brain, which may improve your mood and help you feel less anxious. Another class of antidepressants is serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors known as SNRIs, block the reabsorption process of both serotonin and norepinephrine into your brain, thereby increasing levels of these chemicals, making you feel more energetic. A third class of antidepressants known as monoamine oxide inhibitors, or MAOIs, can be used to treat anxiety in people who don't respond to SSRIs.
There are a myriad of other medications that are sometimes used to treat anxiety, including azapirones (such as buspirone) as well as beta- and alpha-blockers, antihistamines (such as hydroxyzine), and Clonidine. These medications have a lower chance of success than SSRIs or benzodiazepines.
While medication is an effective treatment for anxiety however, it shouldn't be your only treatment you use. If you have a root cause for your anxiety, like debt, poor diet, or an unhealthy relationship, non-drug therapies may be more effective. Other options include cognitive behavioral therapy, or biofeedback, which helps you to manage your own brain waves by using a monitor device and mindfulness meditation, a kind of meditation that is focused on the present moment.