The Reason Treat Anxiety Is So Beneficial For COVID-19

Meds That Treat Anxiety

Anxiety affects more than 40 million adults in the United States. There are a variety of medications available to treat anxiety.

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 aren't addictive, unlike benzodiazepines.

SSRIs

The most commonly used anxiety and panic attacks treatment - his comment is here - medication is selective serotonin reuptake inhibits (SSRIs) which include citalopram, escitalopram, and fluoxetine. These medications can also treat depression and can help relieve symptoms associated with other anxiety disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It could take up to a month to begin working.

These medications work by increasing the amount of certain chemical transmitters in the brain. This includes serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. These medications are typically the first choice for treating anxiety, though doctors may also prescribe other kinds of antidepressants or benzodiazepines.

Another class of antidepressants known as serotonin and norepinephrine receptor inhibitors (SNRIs) like duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor), are also used to treat anxiety. They are a bit different from SSRIs as they reduce norepinephrine, but at a lower level than SSRIs. They may take some time to start taking effects, and also tend to be more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants, such as imipramine Tofranil are effective in treating anxiety disorders. However their drowsiness as well as other side effects make them less well-known. Another kind of antidepressant, monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs) are also able to be used to treat anxiety. Their high toxicity risk and the restriction on dietary intake limit their use.

Benzodiazepines are commonly used to treat panic attacks and anxiety in the short term, such as when waiting for SSRIs or SNRIs to take effect. These medications can cause tolerance, sedation and addiction and withdrawal reactions that may cause anxiety, depression and even delusions. Benzodiazepines are commonly found in alprazolam as well as clonazepam and lorazepam.

Therapy is a crucial component of an anxiety treatment plan, as it helps you discover more about the symptoms and the causes. Many people discover that medication and therapy both help them cope. Certain studies have demonstrated that cognitive behavioral therapy is just as effective as medications for anxiety. Talk with your physician about your options and what could be the best choice for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines have a calming affect, reduce anxiety and relax muscles that are tight. They also ease symptoms of bodily stimulation related to fear (like heart racing or shaking), and promote sleep.

The way they function is by 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 reducing the number of messages sent to the amygdala. It is a part of the brain that is able to detect threats and produces a feeling of fear.

These medicines are often taken for short durations like panic attacks or an anxiety episodes. They may help relieve symptoms within 30 to 90 minutes of taking them. Benzodiazepines are, in contrast to SSRIs aren't able to remain in the body for a long time. They're fast-acting and can be effective within a few hours. This makes them ideal for situations in which rapid relief is required (such for instance, during an airplane ride or prior to presenting in public).

They can be addictive, so it is recommended to only prescribe them for up to 4 weeks at one time. They also lose effectiveness after that time.

One of the main reasons benzodiazepines became so popular is that they were effective and had minimal side effects, when compared to their predecessors like barbiturates or meprobamate. They have a rapid start of action and are very useful as anxiolytics (anti-anxiety) as well as sedatives and anticonvulsants and as muscle relaxants.

Benzos were blamed for the negative attitudes towards anxiety that emerged in the 1970s and 80s and included the denial of the disorder, and the perception that benzodiazepine treatments result in physical dependence. Yet however, benzodiazepines still play a significant role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, particularly when they are combined with psychosocial interventions like cognitive behavioral therapy and other interpersonal therapies.

Benzos may interact with other medications and cause undesirable side effects, such as drowsiness and confusion. It's important to let your doctor be aware of any other prescription, non-prescription or herbal medicines you're currently contemplating or are taking. Check the British National Formulary A to Z list of medication interactions to find out what medications are safe when taken with benzodiazepines.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants can be effective in treating anxiety and other mental disorders. 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 antidepressants for other health issues, such as eating disorders, bipolar disorder and certain types of pain.

Most doctors recommend SSRIs as the first-line treatment for anxiety, however these drugs may not be appropriate for all people. If these antidepressants don't work doctors may suggest an older version called a tetracyclic or tricyclic antidepressant. These include amitriptyline, nortriptyline, clomipramine, trimipramine, doxepin and dothiepin or imipramine. These antidepressants aren't as common but still accessible. You may also ask your doctor to prescribe the sedating antidepressant, trazodone(Desyrel) in lower doses if you're experiencing anxiety or sleep problems.

Other antidepressants that may aid are nefazodone (Ferdinand) and duloxetine (Cymbalta). These medications are also available in generic forms. If they aren't helping your doctor, he may suggest the antipsychotics quetiapine and Olanzapine or the tranquilizing antidepressant Mirtazapine.

Beta blockers are used to treat other anxiety disorders. They reduce heart rate and blood pressure by blocking adrenaline. These medications are not typically used to treat anxiety by themselves, but they can be effective if coupled with psychotherapy.

Psychotherapy can help you alter negative thoughts and behaviors that cause anxiety. It can help you to control your anxiety, and develop coping skills. Depending on the severity of your situation exposure therapy or cognitive behavior therapy could be suggested. Cognitive behavioral therapy teaches you to confront unhelpful and fearful thoughts, and overcome your fear of situations which trigger anxiety. Exposure therapy involves gradually increasing the level of anxiety-inducing situations until you are able to handle the stressors. It can be carried out in a group or on your own. In both cases, results will take time to manifest. Some people believe that the combination of psychotherapy and medication is the best choice. Some people find that medication alone is enough to control symptoms. Discuss with your doctor how to treat anxiety disorder naturally you manage your symptoms.

Other Medicines

Although benzodiazepines and antidepressants are the most frequently prescribed treatment for anxiety, other medications can ease your symptoms too. Antihistamines and beta blockers are sometimes prescribed to relieve anxiety.

These drugs can correct an imbalance in your brain chemicals and can help ease your symptoms by lowering or blocking the signals that can cause stress and fear. However, they're not a cure all. You'll still need to do things to control anxiety, like exercises as well as relaxation techniques, and psychotherapy.

The SSRIs or SNRIs are often the first choice of anxiety medications that your doctor can prescribe. According to research, these medications are the most effective in treating anxiety disorders. SSRIs are usually found in sertraline (Zoloft), the fluoxetine, citalopram and escitalopram. These drugs may cause mild side effects, such as insomnia or nausea, however they typically subside within 4-8 weeks. They aren't addictive, and they don't increase the risk of suicidal ideas.

The benzodiazepines, alprazolam (Xanax) as well as Clonazepam (Klonopin), and diazepoxide (Valium) provide immediate relief from anxiety and panic attacks, but they can have side effects, including drowsiness, dizziness, memory and coordination issues, as well as dependence. These are less popular than older barbiturates, however they are equally effective.

Antihistamines, such as Vistaril (hydroxyzine) are developed to relieve allergies however, they're also used to ease anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine blocks histamine receptors in the brain and may cause the body to relax. It is not a controlled drug, so it does not carry the same addiction risks as benzodiazepines.

Another type of medication that may help with anxiety is a group of medications called anticonvulsants. They've been shown to ease anxiety by affecting the production and release of dopamine and serotonin. They can be prescribed in combination with other drugs or as a temporary treatment for anxiety. Your doctor will assess your medical history and symptoms to determine if these medications are suitable for you. They will also discuss the duration of time you'll need to take these medicines and any potential side effects that may occur. Anxiety medications are only available on prescription, so it is necessary to see a psychiatrist to prescribe it.