What is the Best Drug For Anxiety Disorder?
There are a myriad of medications that can treat anxiety disorders. However, only a small amount of progress has been made in the creation of new ones. However, studies on neuropeptides and other medications show promise.
The most common medication to treat anxiety is a benzodiazepine. These are fast-acting tranquilizers that include alprazolam (Xanax) and clonazepam (Klonopin). anxiety disorder help offer immediate relief, however they also can cause severe side effects.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines, such as Valium, Xanax and Lorazepam are able to boost the brain chemical GABA. They calm the nervous systems and provide rapid relief but they can also become addicting if they are used for a long period of time. You also run a higher risk of having a seizure when you combine them with other medications, like antidepressants.
They are used to treat a wide variety of ailments, including alcohol withdrawal, agitation, aggression, spasms, seizures, and REM sleep-related disorder. They are also an effective anti-anxiolytic and hypnotic. However, their use is controversial because they aren't suitable for all people. They can trigger side effects like drowsiness or confusion. Some people may become dependent on them. This can lead to addiction. They may also trigger an extremely dangerous rebound. It is not recommended to use them for longer than two weeks.
The drugs are typically absorbed quickly, and begin to take effect within minutes. They work by blocking neurotransmitters that could send excessively stimulating signals to the brain. They also reduce the body's production of a stress hormone, adrenaline. They also aid in preventing the creation of new memories, which could cause anxiety and panic.
There are many kinds of benzodiazepines that each have a slightly different effect. Your doctor will prescribe one based on your individual needs and you'll be in a position to discern the difference by how it affects your. Some are short-acting and last only several hours, whereas others are more long-lasting and can be used as needed.
Another medication that can reduce anxiety and hypnotic symptoms is beta blocker Propranolol, which is often prescribed for anxiety related to social situations and public speaking. It can also reduce the adverse effects of benzodiazepines, such as orthostatic hypotension (when your blood pressure drops when you stand up) as well as bradycardia (low heart rate) and sedation.
Antidepressants take longer to effect but can help with anxiety, hypnotic symptoms, and anxiolytics for some people. They do this by controlling and balancing neurotransmitters such as serotonin, and norepinephrine. However they're not considered to be the first-line treatment for PD and may be more useful on an as-needed basis in conjunction with benzodiazepines for acute anxiety.
Sleeping Medicines
It is normal to feel stressed or anxious from time to time. If these feelings are affecting your day-to-day activities you might want to speak with a mental health professional. Psychiatrists are trained extensively in the management of medications and can help you choose the appropriate anxiety medication for you, taking into account your diagnosis, medical history and personal preferences.
SSRIs are prescribed by doctors to treat anxiety disorders and depression. SSRIs boost levels of serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter that regulates mood and appetite. They also help improve your sleep and reduce anxiety. The typical SSRIs used to combat anxiety include sertraline, escitalopram and citalopram. SSRIs can take several weeks to begin working and may cause side effects like insomnia or sexual dysfunction.
Benzodiazepines (or benzos) are fast-acting medications that can provide immediate relief from anxiety-related symptoms. Benzos are controlled substances that target the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and can slow down the brain and body when you feel overexcited. They can also relieve seizures and pain and are frequently used to treat conditions like PTSD, GAD and panic disorder. Benzos can be habit forming and cause serious adverse effects, such as memory issues and a higher risk of addiction. Benzos can cause dizziness and sedation. They can also cause confusion, a decrease in heart rate and dizziness.
Beta blockers like propranolol are another class anxiety medication that can be prescribed to decrease anxiety symptoms. Usually, these medications are prescribed to treat heart conditions however, they can also be used to reduce heart rate and blood pressure for people suffering from anxiety, and they can also reduce the symptoms of asthma. Beta blockers can cause serious side effects, including liver damage, hepatitis, and heart attacks for those who have certain preexisting medical conditions.
Many new medications are in the process of being developed and examined for anxiety disorders. They include medications that target neuropeptides, glutamate and other chemical compounds in the brain. Fewer drugs have reached Phase III trials in anxiety disorders as compared to new medicines being designed and tested for PTSD, OCD and depression.
Antidepressants
Antidepressants are widely used to treat anxiety disorders. There are several different classes of medication that health care providers prescribe to treat anxiety disorders. However, they all have similar effects on the brain and body. It's important to talk to an expert in health before taking any medication to treat anxiety.
SSRIs such as fluoxetine sertraline, and paroxetine are often the first choice to treat anxiety. These medications increase levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter found in the brain that enhances communication between nerve cell. They can also boost levels of the hormone norepinephrine which helps to regulate mood. SNRIs like venlafaxine (Effexor XR) and citalopram (Celexa), are also often prescribed. They work in a similar manner similar to SSRIs but they have less side-effects.
Atypical antidepressants like mirtazapine (Zoloft) and clonidine (Ursamin) are a second class of anxiety medications that work in a similar way to SNRIs and SSRIs. They are effective, but take some time to begin working. Anticonvulsants such as gabapentin, pregabalin and tiagabine could aid in reducing anxiety. GABAergic medications increase the activity of the receptors that block neurotransmitters and decrease anxiety.
Beta-blockers, which are traditionally used to treat heart issues are also used for anxiety. Propranolol, also known as Benadryl, can be used to treat anxiety disorders, such as performance anxiety.
Off-label, other medications are also available to treat anxiety. One of these is hydroxyzine (Visitor) which is a potent antihistamine which can relax muscles and induce sleepiness. This is used to treat anxiety when itching is a result from allergies. These medicines require further study, but preliminary studies show potential.
Other Medications
Psychiatrists recommend that people with anxiety who have suffered for a long time, try other medications. These are usually a mixture of antidepressants and other types of drugs, such as sedatives or sleep medications. These are used long-term and have a lower addiction risk than benzodiazepines. However, they do have side effects like constipation and dry mouth.
Antidepressants are the initial option for treating anxiety. They include selective serotonin reuptake inhibits (SSRIs) or selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) that focus on brain chemicals serotonin and norepinephrine. They include citalopram, sertraline, escitalopram and paroxetine. Antidepressants such as duloxetine Cymbalta and venlafaxine Effexor is also effective for those suffering from anxiety disorders. In addition tricyclic antidepressants, such as mirtazapine (Remeron) can help.
Medications that affect the neurotransmitter GABA have been proven to help with anxiety, particularly when used in conjunction with antidepressants. Pregabalin is one along with gabapentin and Tiagabine. They work by affecting the calcium channels of your nervous system, which reduces neurotransmitter release. They also work in treating herpes and neuropathic neuralgia as well as fibromyalgia, some seizures, and fibromyalgia.
Another option is a benzodiazepine, which is a good option in the treatment of anxiety-related symptoms for a short period of time, but should only be used under close medical supervision. These sedatives are addictive and can worsen anxiety disorders. Psychiatrists have extensive training in taking a look at your needs and developing a medication management plan that is effective for you.
MAOIs are an older type medicine that is used to treat anxiety disorders and social phobias. They are effective by increasing the quantity of neurotransmitters in your body. These are usually started at a low dose and gradually increased to avoid side effects such as low sodium levels and nausea.
Ultimately, the best approach to anxiety disorders is a three-pronged one, that includes exercise, psychotherapy and medication. Each person's approach to treatment is unique, however the majority of people experience relief by combining these treatments. Your therapist will instruct you on cognitive behavioral therapy, which can help you modify your thoughts, emotions and behavior. They may also suggest accepting and committing therapy, which teaches you to accept negative thoughts and fears instead of trying to ignore them.