How Much Do Treat Anxiety Experts Make?

Meds That Treat Anxiety

Anxiety affects 40 million adults in the United States. It is extremely treatable, and there are many types of medications available.

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. Unlike benzodiazepines, they're not addictive.

SSRIs

The most popular anxiety medication is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) which include citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro) and fluoxetine (Prozac). These medications can also be used to treat depression and alleviate symptoms of anxiety disorders like obsessive compulsive disorder. It can take up to one month for them to start working.

These medications help by increasing the levels of certain chemical transmitters in the brain. This includes serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. These are typically the first option to treat anxiety, though doctors may prescribe other forms of antidepressants or benzodiazepines.

Another class of antidepressants known as serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) like duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor), are also used to treat anxiety. They are a bit different from SSRIs because they decrease norepinephrine, but at a lower degree than SSRIs. These medications take a lengthy time to take effect and are more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants, such as imipramine Tofranil, can be effective in treating anxiety disorders. However, their drowsiness and other adverse reactions are what make them less popular. Another form of antidepressant is monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are also able to be used to combat anxiety. They are a high risk of toxicity and the restriction on dietary intake limit their use.

Benzodiazepines are used to combat panic attacks and anxiety in the short-term in the meantime, while waiting for SSRIs and SNRIs. These drugs can lead to dependence, tolerance, and sedation, as well as withdrawal symptoms such as a depression, anxiety, and delirium. Benzodiazepines are commonly found in alprazolam, clonazepam, and lorazepam.

Therapy is an essential component of an anxiety treatment plan, as it helps you discover more about the symptoms and the reasons. Many people find that medication and therapy both help them cope. Certain studies have demonstrated that cognitive behavioral therapy can be just as effective as anxiety medications. Consult your physician to find out what's right for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines can have a calming effect, reduce anxiety and relax muscles that are tense. They also reduce symptoms of bodily arousal related to fear (like heart rate and shaking) and encourage sleep.

They work by binding inhibitory neurons, such as GABA or gamma aminobutryic acids and bind to 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 anxiety.

These medications are typically taken for short durations for instance, during an attack of panic or a severe anxiety episode. They can help relieve symptoms in 30 to 60 minutes. In contrast to SSRIs, benzodiazepines don't remain in the body for very long. They're fast-acting and can work within a few hours. This makes them suitable for situations in which immediate relief is needed (such as on an airplane or prior to presenting in public).

As they can be addictive, people are usually prescribed up to four weeks at a time. They also lose effectiveness after a certain period of time.

One of the reasons the benzodiazepines became so well-known is that they worked and had few side effects, when compared to their predecessors like meprobamate and barbiturates. They are safe and have a rapid onset and can be used as anxiolytics to reduce anxiety. They can also be employed as sedatives, anticonvulsants and muscle relaxants.

Benzos are often blamed for the negative attitudes towards anxiety that developed in the 1970s and 1980s. This included the denial of the disorder and the belief that benzodiazepine treatment can lead to physical dependence. Yet, benzodiazepines continue to play a significant role in the treatment for anxiety disorders, particularly when they are combined with psychosocial interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or interpersonal therapies.

Benzos can interact with other drugs and cause undesirable side-effects like drowsiness or confusion. It is recommended to inform your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription or herbal medication you currently take or plan to take. Check the British National Formulary A to Z list of interactions with medications to find out what medicines are safe to take with benzodiazepines.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants can reduce anxiety and other mental health problems. 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 conditions, including eating disorders, bipolar disorder, and certain types of pain.

SSRIs are usually prescribed as a first-line treatment of anxiety by doctors, but they might not be effective for all people. If these antidepressants don't work doctors may suggest an older type called a tetracyclic or tricyclic antidepressant. They include amitriptyline, nortriptyline as well as Clomipramine. These antidepressants are not as popular but still available. Your doctor may also prescribe the sedating antidepressant trazodone (Desyrel) at lower doses for anxiety or sleep.

Other antidepressants that can aid are Nefazodone (Ferdinand) and duloxetine (Cymbalta). They are also available in generic form. If they aren't helping, your doctor may try the antipsychotics quetiapine or olanzapine or the sedative antidepressant Mirtazapine.

Beta blockers are used to treat other anxiety disorders. They reduce blood pressure and heart rate by blocking adrenaline. These drugs aren't commonly used to treat anxiety on their own, but can be helpful when paired with psychological therapy.

Psychotherapy can assist you to change negative thoughts and behavior that contribute towards your anxiety. It will help you learn to control your anxiety, and develop coping skills. Depending on the severity of your condition exposure therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy might be recommended. Cognitive behavioural therapy helps you overcome negative thoughts, fearful thoughts and to overcome the fear of situations that trigger your anxiety. Exposure therapy is the process of increasing the level of anxiety provoking situations until they become manageable. It can be done either in a group, or by yourself. In both cases it takes time to show results. A combination of medication and psychological therapy is the best choice for some people. Some people find that taking medication alone is sufficient to treat symptoms. Tell your doctor how you manage your symptoms.

Other Medicines

Other medications can also help relieve your symptoms. Antihistamines, beta blockers, and buspirone are all prescribed to alleviate anxiety.

These medications correct an imbalance in your brain chemicals and can help alleviate your symptoms by reducing or blocking signals that cause you anxiety and stress. They are not a panacea. You'll still need to do other things to manage your anxiety, like physical exercise or relaxation techniques, as well as psychotherapy.

SSRIs or SNRIs are the most commonly prescribed anxiety medications that your doctor can prescribe. According to studies, these medications are the most effective in treating anxiety disorders. The most commonly used SSRIs include sertraline (Zoloft) and fluoxetine (Prozac) and citalopram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro). These medications can cause mild side effects like nausea and insomnia, but they usually disappear within 4-8 weeks. They are not addictive, and they do not increase the risk of suicidal thoughts.

The benzodiazepines alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), and diazepoxide (Valium) provide immediate relief for anxiety and panic attacks however they can also cause adverse effects, such as dizziness, drowsiness, memory and coordination issues, as well as dependence. They're less well-known than the barbiturates of the past, but they're just as effective.

Antihistamines, such as Vistaril (hydroxyzine), were designed to help with allergies however, they're also used to reduce anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine may have a relaxing effect by blocking the histamine receptors. It is not a controlled drug and therefore doesn't have the same risks of addiction as benzodiazepines.

Anticonvulsants are a different kind of medication that can be used to treat generalized anxiety disorder anxiety. They have been shown to reduce anxiety through interfering in the production and release dopamine and sérotonin. 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 drugs are suitable for you. They will also discuss the length of time you'll need to take these medicines and any potential adverse effects that could occur. Anxiety medications are only available by prescription, so it is necessary to see a psychiatrist to prescribe it.