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

What Are the Best Medications For Anxiety Disorders Treatment for anxiety disorders usually involves a threepronged approach psychotherapy medication and exercise Antidepressants are the first option for treating anxiety Newer medications such as nefazodone or mirtazapine with a lower risk of suicide and have fewer side effects are better tolerated by patients than antidepressants that are older such as tCAs or monoamine oxidase inhibitors MAOIs The majority of people manage their anxiety symptoms by taking medications to reduce the anxiety signals in the brain These include SNRIs and SSRIs Benzodiazepines These drugs work by helping to bind the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA at various receptors throughout the central nervous system They are believed to be more secure less toxic CNS depressant as compared to their predecessors barbiturates They are used to treat seizure disorders as anxiolytics and anticonvulsants They are prescribed at low doses and are less likely than other drugs to cause anticholinergic toxicities or delirium However there are significant risks and side effects that must be considered before taking them For instance prolonged use of benzodiazepine can cause memory impairment or cause withdrawal symptoms This is especially the case when it is combined with other CNS depressants such as alcohol or opioids It also may reduce the effectiveness of antidepressants for certain people Children and geriatrics should not take benzodiazepines They should also stay clear of these drugs if they suffer from medical comorbidities such as depression They are available in various dosages and formulations and have a variety of pharmacological properties They differ in their effectiveness duration and side effects The benzodiazepines with longeracting effects like chlordiazepoxide clorazepate clo diazepam and clobazam are commonly used for anxiety insomnia and seizures The most frequent benzodiazepine adverse effects include constipation dry mouth fatigue and blurred vision Some people also experience nausea headaches and weight loss However these effects are generally mild and go away after a long period of use It is more beneficial to taper off benzodiazepines than stop abruptly since they can cause withdrawal symptoms like insomnia and irritability Other medications that can treat anxiety disorders include SSRIs serotoninnorepinephrine reuptake inhibitors SNRIs Atypical antidepressants like mirtazapine and betablockers SSRIs and SNRIs increase the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in your brain which can help decrease anxiety Atypical antidepressants increase these chemicals through various pathways and are able to treat other mental conditions like depression Betablockers which are typically heart medications may also be used in small doses to treat anxiety such as stage fright by reducing the adrenaline rush that causes shaking and rapid heartbeat SSRIs The most popular medications used to treat anxiety disorders are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs and serotoninnorepinephrine reuptake inhibitors SNRIs These drugs boost levels of serotonin a neurotransmitter which is involved in mood They also increase levels of norepinephrine another neurotransmitter which affects mood Paroxetine and fluoxetine are the most wellknown SSRIs used to combat anxiety The SNRIs include citalopram sertraline and nefazodone There are other medicines that can help alleviate anxietyrelated symptoms They include antihistamines eg Hydroxyzine for instance alpha and beta blockers eg propranolol and clonidine and benzodiazepines Antihistamines can be especially helpful when youre experiencing panic attacks They can cause sleepiness that can help reduce anxiety However they may cause negative effects such as constipation dry mouth and sedation There are also dangers if taken while driving and you could develop a tolerance to the drug Benzodiazepines which are sedatives work by enhancing the activity of neurotransmitters that transmit signals between brain cells These drugs are prescribed to relax you and get to sleep They are only meant for shortterm usage These medications can become addictive so you should only use them under the supervision of a physician Tricyclic antidepressants which are older medications can be effective in treating anxiety They function similarly to SSRIs and boost the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine and other chemicals in your body that affect mood These medicines are usually initially taken at a low dose and then increased gradually Certain medications can cause weight increase and sedation dry mouth and urinary tract problems and arrhythmias Monoamine oxidase inhibitors are the oldest antidepressants that have proven to be effective in treating anxiety However they are not as popular because of their side negative effects like weight gain and dry mouth Monoamine oxidase inhibitors can also interact with certain foods and medications including SSRIs birth control pills cold and allergy medicines as well as acetaminophen and Ibuprofen Taking the right medications for anxiety can make you feel more at ease and in control of your life Additionally it is important to use stress management techniques Avoiding unhealthy foods and exercise as well as avoiding tobacco and alcohol and avoiding watching or reading news stories that can cause anxiety are all important steps You can also join an anxiety support group to connect with other people who have similar problems and to learn coping skills Tricyclic antidepressants SSRIs and tricyclic antidepressants are among the medications that can be used to treat anxiety disorders Certain of these drugs can increase the levels of specific brain chemicals such as serotonin or norepinephrine These medications can be taken on a regular basis or as required Some require some time to begin working but can completely remove anxiety or make it more manageable However they will not work if the medication is removed SSRIs are a preferred choice to treat anxiety and can also be used to aid in preventing the symptoms from recurring These include citalopram fluvoxamine escitalopram and sertraline SSRIs are generally safe and do not have any adverse effects SSRIs may be combined with other treatments for anxiety such as exercise or psychotherapy Beta blockers are a different type of medication that can be used for anxiety These drugs are primarily prescribed for heart problems but can be helpful for people with anxiety and phobias They reduce anxiety symptoms by cutting blood pressure and reducing the heart rate Propranolol and atenolol are the most frequently prescribed beta blockers People suffering from anxiety disorders or panic are able to benefit from sedatives when needed like lorazepam These medications can be taken before a stressful event and work quickly to reduce anxiety symptoms These medications can be habitforming so only use them if absolutely necessary In general SSRIs or SNRIs can be used as the first line of treatment for anxiety They are safe welltolerated and have good efficacy in controlled randomized trials However the idiosyncratic drug characteristics and comorbid conditions of patients should be taken into consideration Patients with a depression history may require a higher dosage than someone who is not depressed Monoamine oxidase MAOI is the most effective treatment of anxiety related to performance or social These medications increase the amount of neurotransmitters that regulate mood and are typically initially administered at low doses and then slowly increased They can be taken on their own or in conjunction with benzodiazepine Many medications like SSRIs birth control pills acetaminophen ibuprofen cold and allergy medicines and herbal supplements may interact with MAOIs Therefore it is essential to discuss your options for medication with your doctor Monoamine oxidase inhibitors There are a variety of medications that treat anxiety disorders A lot of them are effective for the majority of people These include benzodiazepines and anticonvulsants and antidepressants The benzodiazepines are GABA receptor agonists which can be used to relieve anxiety symptoms in the shortterm They are also used to treat seizures muscle spasms and hypnotic symptoms anxiety disorder social can be addictive and should not be used for longterm use Antidepressants can help reduce anxiety and depression These medications can take up to six weeks before they begin to work however they are extremely efficient for the majority people These drugs can cause sexual side effects in some individuals but they are generally manageable SSRIs and SNRIs boost levels of serotonin and norepinephrine two important hormones and neurotransmitters that influence mood They are often the firstline treatment for anxiety disorders in general They can be taken regularly to manage symptoms or be used as required Antidepressants can cause a variety of side effects including nausea dry mouth and weight gain They can also increase the likelihood of suicidal thoughts therefore you should limit your use to as long as is necessary Another option is betablockers which are typically used to treat heart ailments They are typically prescribed offlabel for people suffering from social anxiety disorders such as propranolol Inderal This medication is a great choice to ease the physical symptoms of anxiety including shaking and high blood pressure It also helps reduce stress hormones such as norepinephrine and adrenaline that are produced in the state of anxiety Anticonvulsants such as gabapentin pregabalin and tiagabine possess GABAergic effects These drugs are FDA approved for treating neuropathic pain and can be effective as an antidepressant for certain people TCAs are also tricyclic antidepressants which increase levels of serotonin in the brain They also reduce the activity of monoamine oxidese which is responsible for breaking these chemicals down They can also help reduce the effects of bipolar disorder These drugs can have several adverse effects including weight gain dryness of the mouth and sedation These medications can also increase the risk of arrhythmias and hypotension

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