A Complete Guide To Anxiety Disorder Medication Dos And Don'ts
Types of Anxiety Disorder Medication Medications are a great way to manage anxiety symptoms. Psychologists have extensive experience in the use of drugs and are able to make appropriate prescriptions that will minimize side effects. Treatment for anxiety disorders is typically three-pronged: medication, psychotherapy and exercise. SSRIs, the first option of medication to treat anxiety, can take up to several weeks to take effect. SSRIs Most anxiety disorders can be treated with SSRIs. Newer SSRIs have better adverse effect profiles than older tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs). There are a variety of SSRIs have been approved by FDA to treat anxiety disorders that are generalized. They include fluoxetine (aka Prozac), paraxetine, (aka Paxil), and sertraline, (aka Zoloft), as and citalopram (aka Celexa). These medications boost serotonin levels in the brain and may also help to increase norepinephrine as well as BDNF. They are able to be employed in conjunction with psychotherapy or alone. SSRIs may cause negative effects, such as nausea and digestive problems However, these tend to improve as the body becomes used to the medication. The precise mechanism behind how SSRIs work for anxiety isn't fully understood. It is believed that SSRIs hinder serotonin reuptake by post-synaptic neurons, and increase the amount of serotonin in the synaptic gaps. This increases the signaling across the synapses, which reduces anxiety symptoms. SSRIs can help reduce anxiety and the severity of panic attacks. They can also help with depression and other mental health disorders that often co-occur with anxiety disorders. They are often used in conjunction with psychotherapy and other types of cognitive behavior therapy to enhance their effectiveness. SSRIs aren't addictive, unlike other antidepressants. It is nevertheless important to follow the prescription of your doctor. If you stop taking your medication abruptly and suddenly, it can trigger “discontinuation syndrome” and a recurrence of anxiety-related symptoms. If SSRIs aren't suitable for you, your doctor could look into a different kind of antidepressants, like nefazodone or mirtazapine. These drugs can also be effective, but they have a greater chance of causing adverse reactions than the more recent SSRIs. panic anxiety disorder can interact with certain foods, like red meat, eggs dairy, some fruits and vegetables. If you are taking these medicines, it is a good idea to avoid these foods. It is also recommended that you avoid drinking alcohol while taking SSRIs, as this can cause a number of side effects. Benzodiazepines Benzodiazepines enhance the calming effects of certain chemicals within the nervous system and brain. They increase the effects of the neurotransmitter gamma aminobutyric acids (GABA) which is a substance that inhibits nerve activity. These drugs are effective in treating anxiety disorders, insomnia, and other psychological disorders. They can be addictive, and should only be used for short periods under medical supervision. Benzos can be dangerous when used for recreational purposes, or mixed with alcohol or other substances. It is not uncommon for medications to be the first thing that people seek out when they're suffering from an anxiety disorder, but they're not the only option for treatment. Talk therapy or psychotherapy is also proven to be an effective method to decrease anxiety symptoms. There are a myriad of psychotherapies, however cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most popular and efficient. This type of therapy teaches you to change your thinking and behavior so that you feel less anxious. The most commonly used benzodiazepines are alprazolam (Xanax) as well as chlordiazepoxide (Librium) diazepam (Valium), clorazepate (Tranxene), lorazepam (Ativan), and the quazepam (Dalmane). Each of them has a distinct set of side effects, however, they all share similar pharmacological properties. Clorazepate for instance is more effective at treating seizures compared to other benzodiazepines. Lorazepam on the other hand, is better in treating anxiety disorders as compared to the quazepam. Although benzodiazepines can be very effective, they are not recommended for long-term use as they can lead to physical dependence and tolerance. Additionally, they could lead to withdrawal symptoms in the event that you stop taking them suddenly like sweating, a pounding heart and shaking. Symptoms can be very uncomfortable and last for several weeks however, they can be minimized by slowly tapering off the medication. Benzodiazepines are extremely addictive and should be taken only for a short time. Usually, no more than four weeks. During this time, you will need to closely monitor your blood pressure and heart rate to ensure that you don't suffer a severe withdrawal reaction. If you're thinking of getting a prescription for benzodiazepine, talk to your doctor about your past history of abuse. Beta-blockers Beta-blockers are an type of medication that can help to alleviate anxiety symptoms. These medications prevent adrenaline from binding to beta receptors in your nervous system, which prevents the hormone from triggering physical reactions such as heart palpitations and tremors. These drugs are typically prescribed to treat high blood pressure and other cardiovascular ailments. However, they can be prescribed off-label for anxiety. If you are stressed, your body releases a chemical known as Adrenaline. This chemical signals your body to prepare itself to fight or flee. Adrenaline binds beta receptors found in the brain and heart, causing your heart to beat faster and causing other physical reactions. Beta-blockers are an class of drugs that is used to treat hypertension and other heart ailments, work by blocking the adrenaline binding, which helps to reduce your heart rate and blood pressure. Contrary to SSRIs and benzodiazepines, which require a long time to show a significant improvement in your symptoms, beta-blockers are fast-acting. This makes them a great option for people who need immediate relief from their anxiety symptoms, such as those who must give speeches in public or travel on planes. They are also a good option for people with anxiety and chronic heart conditions like atherosclerosis or congestive cardiac failure. While beta-blockers can be effective in alleviating physical symptoms of anxiety, they do not treat the root of the condition. As a result, they are typically used as part of an overall treatment plan that incorporates counseling and lifestyle adjustments. However, they can be a useful option for people who have tried other anti-anxiety drugs and do not find them to be effective or cause uncontrollable side effects. There are several different types of beta-blockers, such as propranolol and atenolol. Your doctor will decide which beta-blocker is right for you depending on your medical history and health status. Taking these medications can have negative side effects, including fatigue or low blood pressure, so it is important to discuss your treatment options with your physician. MAOIs In the 1950s, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are effective antidepressants that can treat anxiety and depression disorders. However, they are not commonly used as often as SSRIs or other antidepressants due the requirement for strict dietary restrictions and risks of interactions with other drugs. Certain MAOIs are available in tablet form and can be taken orally, whereas others (such Emsam) are applied as a transdermal skin patch. MAOIs block the actions of MAO and increase the amount of norepinephrine as well as serotonin in the brain. These neurotransmitters play a part in sleep, mood, and appetite, as well as sexual function. MAOIs have an anti-anxiety effect. They are more likely than TCAs or SSRIs to trigger side effects and carry warnings regarding suicide. Your doctor may prescribe additional medicines or treatments to help manage your symptoms, in addition to the MAOIs below. A beta-blocker, such as propranolol, is often prescribed to ease physical symptoms associated with anxiety. Your doctor may recommend a relaxation technique or other home remedies to ease your symptoms. The first MAOI, Iproniazid, was discovered during research into tuberculosis in 1952. It was quickly discovered that it could have mood-elevating qualities and is considered to be the first antidepressant medication. Typically, MAOIs are employed when other antidepressants fail to perform, as they could cause serious adverse effects that require immediate medical attention. It could cause a risky reaction that results in high blood pressure when you take an MAOI while eating foods that contain tyramine. Tyramine is found in many red meats and cheeses as well as in fish, shellfish and a few dietary supplements. The symptoms of this serious reaction include nausea, throbbing headaches vomiting, as well as a fast heart rate. MAOIs may also interact with other medications and can cause severe side effects like suicidal thoughts or behavior. Before prescribing MAOIs, your physician will talk with you about the foods you need to avoid. He or she will advise you to avoid eating foods that contain tyramine while you are taking the medication. He or she will also provide a list of foods that are safe to eat when taking MAOIs. This food guide can help avoid MAOI-related symptoms.