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https://www.iampsychiatry.com/anxiety-treatment

Drugs to Treat Anxiety Disorders Psychiatrists use a number of tools to treat anxiety disorders Drugs are sometimes part of a threepronged treatment that includes physical and psychotherapy SSRIs also known as selective serotonin receptor inhibitors are typically prescribed as the firstline antidepressants to treat anxiety disorders They reduce anxiety by impacting the neurotransmitter that is involved in mood regulation Tricyclic antidepressants propranolol and atenolol are also available These medications can raise blood pressure so it is essential to monitor your blood pressure while taking them Benzodiazepines Benzodiazepines are a potent treatment for anxiety They can provide immediate relief and make you feel more calm and relaxed They help by increasing the neurotransmitter GABA in the brain which can help reduce tension and nervousness Benzodiazepines can also be used as a sleep aid to help you fall asleep GPs can prescribe a variety of benzodiazepines such as alprazolam diazepoxide clonazepam and lorazep and flurazepoxide While benzodiazepines are an important medication to treat anxietyrelated symptoms however they should be used with caution Using them for long durations of time can cause dependence which is the reason they are generally prescribed for shortterm usage GPs must take this into account when prescribing benzodiazepines and discuss the potential risks with patients There are people who abuse benzodiazepines or by taking them more often or for longer periods than prescribed or by mixing them up with alcohol or other drugs This can be dangerous and increase the risk of having side effects It is essential to keep all of your medications including benzodiazepines locked away in a secure location so that they can only be accessible by you or people authorized to access them by you You may be at greater risk of becoming addicted to benzodiazepines in the event that you have an antecedent history of drug or alcoholic abuse Inform your GP whether you have any past issues with substance abuse so they can monitor your treatment and assess your risk in more detail GPs should always consider alternative methods to treat anxiety before prescribing benzodiazepines These include relaxation methods such as meditation exercise yoga and taichi as well as changing some of your daily routines to reduce stress They might recommend talk therapies like cognitive behavior therapy CBT and exposure therapy which can be beneficial for many people assisting them to identify the causes of anxiety create coping strategies and improve emotional wellbeing Antidepressants including selective norepinephrine receptor inhibitors SNRIs and serotonin reuptake inhibition inhibitors SSRIs are effective in treating anxiety These drugs can be used as part of a comprehensive anxiety management plan Benzodiazepines are often used to offer shortterm relief from anxiety while awaiting longlasting effects from antidepressants Antidepressants There are a variety of medications that can be utilized to combat anxiety They work in different ways but all increase the quantity of certain chemicals in your brain that affect mood Your doctor will decide the best medication for you based on your symptoms and history Antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs and serotoninnorepinephrine reuptake inhibitors SNRIs are some of the most common medications used to treat anxiety disorders I Am Psychiatry are usually taken every day and can be purchased at most pharmacies Youll need to have a prescription but generic versions are usually cheaper than brandname versions SSRIs are generally considered the firstchoice pharmaceutical treatment for most anxiety disorders including generalized anxiety disorder GAD obsessivecompulsive disorder OCD panic disorderagoraphobia and posttraumatic stress disorder PTSD They block the absorption of the chemical serotonin in the presynaptic nerve cells which produce and release it In addition they may reduce the amount of norepinephrine released in response to stressful situations and may help improve sleep Tricyclic antidepressants are another type of antidepressant It is effective for some people but its negative effects and drowsiness hinder its use Monoamine oxide inhibitors are effective in treating anxiety However their adverse effects like erectile issues and weight gain make them less popular Sometimes combining therapy with medication is the best approach to reduce anxiety Psychotherapy is a great option for a majority of people suffering from anxiety and is often cheaper than taking medications on their own Cognitive behavioral therapy CBT can help you identify the triggers that trigger your anxiety and help you learn to cope CBT can help you stay away from negative thoughts that can cause anxiety Some people may have to take anxiety medicine for a long period of time dependent on their specific symptoms and how they react to other treatments Researchers are attempting to discover how and why these drugs improve anxiety and what is the best treatment length People with severe anxiety might benefit from the latest antidepressants like esketamine or Spravato Sedatives Sedatives are medicines that relax the central nervous system and promote sleep Doctors prescribe sedatives for treating anxiety disorders and sleep disorders They increase the activity of a neurotransmitter called gammaaminobutyric acid or GABA within the brain which can slow the activity of neurons and decrease the intensity of excitability which can lead to feelings of calm and relaxation Sedatives can also cause relaxation and decrease muscle spasms These drugs can also be used to create anesthesia The most commonly prescribed sedatives are benzodiazepines as well as Zdrugs Benzodiazepines are often prescribed These include Xanax and Librium Valium chlordiazepoxide or diazepoxide Ativan and Lorazepam Zdrugs a kind of hypnotic drug that induces sleepiness through binding to receptors on the brain and spinal chord they are known as Zdrugs The calming effects of these drugs usually last for between a few hours and a day Sedatives may cause harmful side effects when taken in conjunction with other drugs like alcohol and opioids These include impaired judgement drowsiness and a loss in coordination They can also cause depression and confusion Sedatives can also be addictive and can lead to dependence if used for a long time Dependence is especially evident if the user is taking large doses of the drug or if they stop using cold to the point of a cold without gradually reducing their use Antidepressants in addition to sedatives are commonly prescribed to help with anxiety They stop nerve cells in the brain from absorbing serotonin a chemical which plays an important role in mood regulation Antidepressants are typically taken for a period of 6 to 12 months after which the dosage is gradually decreased Most people dont develop a tolerance to these medications and dont experience dependency or withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking the medication Alternative therapies for anxiety include cognitive behavior therapy and EMDR CBT helps people discover what triggers anxiety and then teaches them how to manage these situations The EMDR method is a popular treatment for PTSD however it could be beneficial for other ailments as well In this therapy the patient recalls their life experiences that have caused anxiety and moves their eyes around Psychotherapy Anxiety disorders GAD GAD with comorbid depression panic disorder with agoraphobia and social anxiety disorder affect people of all ages backgrounds and incomes These disorders are among the most common mental health conditions that affect adults and can be treated through psychotherapy or medication Certain medications can alleviate certain symptoms however some have serious negative side consequences They should only be used as part of a comprehensive treatment program that includes psychotherapy Medications are prescribed for anxiety disorders in order to lessen symptoms like excessive worry restlessness and trembling They can also reduce other symptoms commonly associated with anxiety disorders like fatigue or depression Antidepressants can also be prescribed to treat anxiety and some of them are effective in people who dont have depression The best drugs to treat anxiety are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors SNRIs These medications can reduce anxiety by increasing levels of serotonin which is a moodenhancing chemical that is found in the brain These medications can cause nausea vomiting and headaches initially However these side effects usually diminish with continued use SSRIs and SNRIs arent the only drugs that can be used to treat anxiety Venlafaxine Vortioxetine Bupropion XL Doxepine Buspirone and Valproic Acid VPA are just a few of the drugs that have been proven to be effective in treating anxiety However the majority of these medications havent been thoroughly studied in headtohead trials and have only limited evidence for their efficacy against generalized anxiety disorder Benzodiazepines can be used as an alternative to SSRIs or SNRIs but they can cause dangerous side effects and may become habitforming They can also interfere in the effectiveness of psychotherapy and many patients will experience withdrawal symptoms if their treatment with benzodiazepine is abruptly stopped Because of these risks benzodiazepines should only be used as a last resort treatment conjunction with other treatments If the symptoms are severe or lifethreatening your doctor might prescribe these medications

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