Find Out What Treat Anxiety The Celebs Are Using Meds That Treat Anxiety

Anxiety is one of the most prevalent mental health conditions, affecting 40 million adults in the United States. It's extremely treatable with various types of medication 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. They aren't addictive, unlike benzodiazepines.

SSRIs

The most common anxiety medication is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro) and fluoxetine (Prozac). These medications can also be used to treat depression and alleviate symptoms of other anxiety disorders like obsessive compulsive disorder. It can take up to one month before they begin working.

They work by increasing the amount of certain chemical transmitters that are present in the brain. This includes serotonin and norepinephrine as well as dopamine. They are usually the first option for anxiety, though doctors also use other types of antidepressants and benzodiazepines.

Antidepressants, such as duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine, (Effexor) are also used for anxiety. They function a bit differently from SSRIs because they reduce the reabsorption rate of norepinephrine and serotonin, although at lower levels than SSRIs. These medicines take a long time to be effective and are more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants, like imipramine Tofranil, can be effective in treating anxiety disorders. However, their drowsiness and other adverse reactions make them less well-known. Monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs) are another type of antidepressant used to combat anxiety. However, their dietary restrictions and the high risk of toxicity limit their use.

Benzodiazepines are commonly used to treat panic attacks and anxiety in the short-term like when you wait for SSRIs or SNRIs to kick in. These drugs can lead to dependence, tolerance, and sedation and withdrawal symptoms like a rebound anxiety, depression and delirium. Common benzodiazepines include alprazolam (Xanax), Clonazepam (Klonopin) and lorazepam (Ativan).


Therapy is an important part of an anxiety treatment plan because it allows you to understand your symptoms and the root causes. Many people discover that both therapy and medication help them manage their anxiety. Certain studies have proven that cognitive behavioral therapy is just as effective as anxiety medications. Speak to your doctor to determine what is the best option for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines have a calming effect they reduce anxiety and relax muscles that are tight. They also alleviate symptoms of bodily stimulation related to fear (like heart rate or shaking), and promote sleep.

The way they work is through binding to inhibitory neurotransmitters, like gamma-aminobutryic acid, or GABA which is a receptor in the central nervous system. They increase the effects of GABA by facilitating the inhibitory effects of GABA on other neurotransmitters and by reducing the volume of messages sent to the amygdala. It is a part of the brain that is able to detect the threat and triggers a feeling of anxiety.

These medicines are often used for short periods for instance, during a panic attack or severe anxiety attack. They can help relieve symptoms in 30 to 60 minutes. Contrary to SSRIs, benzodiazepines don't remain in the body for a long time. They're quick-acting and typically perform in just a few hours, which makes them ideal for situations where immediate relief is required (like during a flight or before giving an address in public).

They are addictive, and people are usually prescribed them for up to four weeks at one time. After that period they lose their effectiveness.

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

Benzos were blamed for negative attitudes towards anxiety that were developed in the 1970s and 1980s, including the minimization of the disorder, as well as the perception that benzodiazepine therapies lead to physical dependence. However, they continue to play a significant role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, particularly when used in combination with psychosocial interventions like cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy.

Benzos can interact with other medications and cause unwanted side-effects, such as drowsiness, confusion or drowsiness. You should tell your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription or herbal medications that you currently take or plan to take. Take a look at the British National Formulary A to Z list of interactions with medications to determine which medications are safe with benzodiazepines.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants are effective in treating anxiety and other mental conditions. 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 many antidepressants for other health conditions, too, such as eating disorders, certain types of pain, and bipolar disorder.

Most doctors prescribe SSRIs as the first line treatment for anxiety, however these medications might not be suitable for all people. If they aren't working doctors might try the older type of antidepressant known as a tricyclic or tetracyclic antidepressant. These include amitriptyline, nortriptyline, clomipramine and dothiepin, doxepin, trimipramine or imipramine. These antidepressants are not as popular but still available. Your doctor may also prescribe the sedating antidepressant Trazodone (Desyrel) in lower doses for anxiety or sleep.

Nefazodone, also referred to as Ferdinand (Cymbalta), and duloxetine are also helpful. These drugs are also available in generic form. If they aren't helping your doctor, you can try the antipsychotics quetiapine and olanzapine or the sedating antidepressant Mirtazapine.

Medications for other anxiety disorders include beta blockers that reduce the heart rate and blood pressure by blocking the actions of adrenaline. These drugs aren't commonly used to treat anxiety on their own however they can be helpful when combined with psychotherapy.

Psychological therapy can help you overcome negative thoughts and behavior patterns that cause anxiety. It will help you learn to control your anxiety, and develop coping skills. Depending on the severity of your situation exposure therapy or cognitive behavior therapy may be recommended. Cognitive behavioural therapy teaches you to confront negative and fearful thoughts and overcome your fear of situations that cause anxiety. Exposure therapy involves increasing the intensity of anxiety provoking situations until they can be managed. It can be done in a group or on your own. In both instances, it takes time to show results. A combination of medication and psychological therapy is the best option for some people. Some people discover that medications alone are sufficient to treat their symptoms. It is important to inform your doctor what you're doing to control your symptoms.

Other Medicines

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

These medications can help reduce your symptoms, by reducing or blocking signals that cause stress and fear. They are not a panacea. You'll still have to do other things to reduce your anxiety, like physical exercise, relaxation techniques, and psychotherapy.

Your doctor might first prescribe one of the "first choice" anxiety medications, which include SSRIs and SNRIs. They are the most effective drugs for treating anxiety disorders according to research studies. Common SSRIs include sertraline (Zoloft) and fluoxetine (Prozac) and Citropram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro). These medications may cause mild side effects like insomnia and nausea, however these usually subside in 4-8 weeks. Unlike the benzodiazepines, they're not addictive and do not increase your risk of having suicidal thoughts.

The benzodiazepines, alprazolam (Xanax) as well as clonazepam (Klonopin), and diazepoxide (Valium) provide immediate relief from 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 not as popular over the more traditional barbiturates but they're just as efficient.

Antihistamines, such as Vistaril (hydroxyzine) are developed to relieve allergies however, they're also used to reduce anxiety symptoms. anxiety treatment dogs in the brain, and can trigger an energizing effect. It is not a controlled drug and does not have the same addiction risks as benzodiazepines.

Anticonvulsants are a different type of medication which can aid in reducing anxiety. They have been proven to decrease anxiety by interfering in the production and release dopamine and sérotonin. These medications may be used as part of a combination therapy or used to treat anxiety in the short term. Your doctor will review your health history and symptoms to determine if these medicines are suitable for you. They'll also discuss how long you should be taking them and any potential side effects. Anxiety medications are only available with a prescription, so you'll need to visit an astrologer to obtain these medications.