What Is The Best Way To Spot The Anxiety Disorder Medication That's Right For You
Types of Anxiety Disorder Medication
Medications can be a valuable tool to help manage anxiety symptoms. Psychologists are trained in the use and prescription of medication. They can prescribe the right medication to reduce the risk of side effects.
Treatment for anxiety disorders is usually three-pronged: therapy, medication and exercise. SSRIs are the first-choice medications for treating anxiety, but they may take a few weeks for them to take effect.
SSRIs
Most anxiety disorders can be treated with SSRIs. The most recent SSRIs have better adverse effect profiles than older tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs). A variety of SSRIs have been FDA-approved to treat anxiety disorders that are generalized. They include fluoxetine (aka Prozac), paraxetine, (aka Paxil), and sertraline (aka Zoloft), as along with citalopram (aka Celexa).
These medications can increase serotonin in the brain and may also help to increase norepinephrine, or BDNF. They can be used alone or in combination with psychotherapy. SSRIs can cause nausea or digestive issues, but these effects tend to diminish as the body becomes accustomed to the medication.
The precise mechanism behind how SSRIs are effective in treating anxiety is not understood fully. It is believed that SSRIs hinder serotonin reuptake by post-synaptic neuron and increase the amount of serotonin in the synaptic gaps. This increases the amount of signals that cross the synapse, and consequently reduces anxiety symptoms.
In addition to decreasing anxiety, SSRIs may reduce the frequency and intensity of panic attacks. They can also help with depression and other mental health conditions that often co-occur with anxiety disorders. They can be incorporated into psychotherapy or cognitive behavior therapy to improve their effectiveness.
SSRIs aren't addictive, unlike some other antidepressants. Nevertheless, it is important to follow the prescriptions of your doctor exactly. If you stop taking your medication suddenly and suddenly, it can trigger "discontinuation syndrome" and a recurrence of anxiety symptoms.
If SSRIs do not work for you, your doctor may try another class of antidepressants such as nefazodone, mirtazapine. These drugs are also effective, but have greater risk of adverse effects than the more recent SSRIs.
SSRIs can interact with certain foods, such as eggs, red meat dairy, certain fruits and vegetables. If you are taking these medicines it is a wise idea to avoid these foods. It is also advised to avoid drinking alcohol when you are taking SSRIs, as this can cause a number of side effects.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines enhance the calming effects of certain chemicals in the brain and nervous system. They increase the effects of the neurotransmitter, gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) which is a substance that suppresses nerve activity. These drugs are effective in treating insomnia, anxiety and other psychological disorders. However, they can be addictive and should only be used for short durations under medical supervision. They can be harmful when used in a recreational manner, or when mixed with alcohol and other substances.
Medications are often the first thing people seek out when they're suffering from an anxiety disorder however they're not the only treatment option. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, has also been proven to reduce the symptoms of anxiety disorder. There are a myriad of different psychotherapies that can help and improve your life, but the most well-known and effective is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This kind of therapy helps you to change your thoughts and behavior in order to feel less anxious.
The most common benzodiazepines are alprazolam (Xanax) and chlordiazepoxide (Librium) diazepam (Valium), clorazepate (Tranxene) and Lorazepam (Ativan) and quazepam (Dalmane). Each one has its own set of adverse effects, however, they all share similar properties pharmacologically. For instance, clorazepate can be more effective for treating seizures than other drugs, and lorazepam works better for anxiety disorders than quazepam.
Although benzodiazepines may be efficient, they aren't recommended for long-term use because they can lead to physical dependence and tolerance. Additionally, they could lead to withdrawal symptoms in the event that you stop taking them abruptly like sweating, a heart beating and shaking. Symptoms can be very uncomfortable and last for a long time, but they can be minimized by slowly tapering off the medication.
Benzodiazepines are highly addictive and should be used only for a limited period of duration. Most often, it is not more than four weeks. During this period, you'll be required to monitor your heart rate and blood pressure so that you don't have an extreme withdrawal reaction. If you're considering taking a benzodiazepine prescription speak with your doctor about your past history of abuse.
Beta-blockers
Beta-blockers can be used to treat anxiety-related symptoms. They prevent adrenaline from binding to beta receptors in your nervous system, which stops the hormone from triggering physical reactions such as heart palpitations and tremors. These drugs are usually used to treat high blood pressure and other cardiovascular conditions however, they can also be prescribed for non-pharmacological use in the case of anxiety.
When you feel anxious your body releases a chemical called Adrenaline. This chemical signals the body to prepare itself to fight or flee. Adrenaline binds beta receptors found in the brain and the heart, causing your heart to beat faster and triggering other physical reactions. disorders anxiety -blockers, the name of a class of medication that are used to treat hypertension and various heart diseases are able to block the adrenaline binding which can help reduce the heart rate and blood pressure.
In contrast to SSRIs and benzodiazepines, which take weeks or months to make a noticeable difference in your symptoms, beta-blockers can be acted upon quickly. They are a good option for those who need immediate relief from anxiety-related symptoms. For instance, those who must give an address to the public or travel in a plane. They are also ideal for those who have both anxiety and a chronic heart issue, such as congestive heart failure or atherosclerosis.
While beta-blockers can be effective in alleviating physical symptoms of anxiety, they fail to tackle the root cause of the disorder. Therefore, they are usually only prescribed as part of a larger treatment plan that includes counseling and lifestyle changes. However, they are a useful option for people who have tried other medications for anxiety but haven't found them to be effective or cause unacceptable side effects.
Propranolol, atenolol, as well as other beta-blockers are also available. Your doctor will decide which one is best for you based on your medical history and your health. These medications can trigger negative side effects, including fatigue or low blood pressure It is therefore important to discuss your treatment options with your doctor.
MAOIs
The first MAOIs were developed in the 1950s. monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are effective antidepressants for some anxiety and depression disorders. They are not as commonly employed as SSRIs and other antidepressants due the strict dietary restrictions needed and the potential for drug interactions. Some MAOIs come in tablet form and are taken orally, while others (such Emsam) are applied as a transdermal patch for skin.
MAOIs block the action of MAO and increase the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine that is found in the brain. These neurotransmitters play a role in sleep, mood, appetite, and sexual function. MAOIs also have anti-anxiety effects. They are more likely than TCAs or SSRIs to cause adverse effects and carry warnings regarding suicide.
In addition to the MAOIs mentioned below, your doctor may prescribe other treatments or medications to aid in managing your symptoms. A beta-blocker, such as propranolol, is usually prescribed to alleviate the physical symptoms associated with anxiety. Your doctor may recommend a relaxation method or other treatments at home to help ease your symptoms.
The first MAOI, Iproniazid, was discovered during research into tuberculosis in 1952. It was later discovered to have properties that boost mood and is believed to be the first antidepressant medication. Generally, MAOIs are only employed when other antidepressants fail to work, as they may cause serious adverse reactions that require immediate medical attention.
If you use an MAOI and consume foods that contain tyramine, a substance in a variety of cheeses, red meats, shellfish, fish, as well as some nutritional supplements, it could trigger a dangerous reaction that results in high blood pressure. This serious reaction can result in an intense headache, nausea, vomiting and a fast heartbeat. MAOIs can also interact other medications and trigger extreme side effects, like suicidal thoughts and behavior.
Before prescribing MAOIs, your doctor will discuss with you the foods you need to avoid. They will advise you against eating foods that contain tyramine if you are taking the drug. He or she will also provide a list of food items that are safe to eat while on MAOIs. This food guide can help you to avoid MAOI-related symptoms.