11 "Faux Pas" That Are Actually Acceptable To Do With Your Anxiety Treatment Medicines
Anxiety Treatment Medications
Psychotherapy and medication can help people suffering from anxiety disorders. Medications used to treat anxiety include benzodiazepines such as Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Valium (diazepam).
Antidepressants can also help with anxiety. SSRIs like citalopram and fluoxetine work by preventing neurons in the brain from reabsorbing serotonin. This chemical can affect mood.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines (benzos) are powerful drugs that treat anxiety very well, and they work very quickly. They are also physically addictive and carry serious safety risks if used for a long time. They should only be taken under the supervision of a physician. They can be used as a "as-needed" treatment for panic episodes and other anxiety disorders that are severe. Benzos can be utilized in conjunction with antidepressants, psychotherapy and other medications to treat anxiety disorders.
Benzos can be very effective in treating anxiety for a short duration, and they can help you sleep well. However they are also dangerous when misused, and they are not recommended for use in conjunction with other medications. When benzodiazepines are mixed with sedatives, such as alcohol and opioid pain medications, the risk of death or overdose rises. They also can interfere negatively with certain antidepressants and cause severe withdrawal symptoms.
If prescribed by your physician, benzodiazepines can be effective and safe in treating anxiety disorders. However, many doctors are cautious when it comes to using them due to the fact that they can be addictive and cause adverse side effects such as memory loss. Long-term use can trigger a severe withdrawal reaction, and people who are dependent on them are frequently not able to stop taking them without experiencing severe symptoms like depression and seizures. The key to long-term benzo usage is prescribing them only to patients who could benefit from them, using them in clinical settings that are likely to improve anxiety symptoms, avoiding long-term use or abrupt withdrawal and minimizing the risk of abuse and using them in conjunction with effective psychological interventions.
Anxiety medications like benzodiazepines can help ease anxiety. They do this by blocking certain nerves signals and stopping their transmission to the brain. These drugs can help you sleep and feel less anxious but they will not solve the underlying issue that is making you worry.
There are some natural ways to ease your anxiety, such as exercise, meditation and yoga. Other treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy, which teaches you to challenge irrational fears and worries.
Antidepressants
SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are a good alternative for those suffering from anxiety as they affect the brain to regulate mood. However, they could take between four and six weeks or more to start working. If one does not feel better during that time it is recommended to talk to their doctor about changing their medications.
Newer antidepressants, such as mirtazapine and nefazodone, can also be beneficial in treating anxiety. They may work faster than older medications such as venlafaxine XR. It's important to remember that these medications can trigger severe reactions in certain people. If they have this reaction you should seek immediate medical attention or contact healthdirect at 1800 022 222 to speak to a registered nurse (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria).
Monoamine Oxase Inhibitors, also known as MAOIs are a different type of antidepressant that can be used for anxiety. They block the action of enzymes that breakdown brain chemicals, including noradrenaline and dopamine. This allows the levels these chemicals to rise and have a positive impact on mood. MAOIs are generally reserved for those who do not respond to other antidepressants but they can be effective in treating anxiety.
The most effective antidepressants to treat anxiety are the tricyclic antidepressants. These medications are similar to SSRIs in the way they treat anxiety and other mental disorders, however they are less prone to adverse effects. These medicines start at a low dose, and their effectiveness increases as dosage is increased. Tricyclics can be effective in treating panic disorder, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder, but they are less likely to treat generalized anxiety disorder.
Buspirone, an antidepressant that is newer, is also used for anxiety. It is a mild tranquilizer that does not have the same negative side effects as benzodiazepines. It doesn't affect memory and coordination. It works by increasing serotonin levels in the brain and decreasing dopamine levels. As high as 70% of those who try the drug will find it to be effective. The side effects tend to decrease as the medication is used for longer durations. Talk therapy, for instance cognitive behavioral therapy or exposure therapy, can be used alongside these medications to enhance the effects.
Buspirone
Buspirone is a medication used to treat anxiety disorders. It's taken by mouth typically twice daily. It's not a controlled drug however, there is the potential for abuse.
Doctors aren't sure exactly how it operates, but they believe that buspirone can reduce the amount and actions of a chemical referred to as serotonin in certain parts of the brain. This makes the nervous system less responsive to anxiety and stress.
In general, doctors consider buspirone as a drug that is safe for most people. It's generally thought as having a lower degree of toxicity and a smaller risk for addiction than benzodiazepines or barbiturates. Like other medicines they can cause adverse reactions. The most frequent ones are dizziness and nausea. Buspirone can interact with other supplements, medications, and ingredients. Tell your doctor if taking any of these prior to beginning the drug.
If you are over 65, your doctor may give you buspirone in a lower dosage. This is because older individuals tend to react differently to drugs than younger ones. This is especially true for drugs that affect the nervous system.
It's also important to inform your doctor if you are taking an inhibitor of monoamine oxidase, like isocarboxazid (Marplan) or linezolid (Zyvox) or Phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar) or tranylcypromine (Parnate). Buspirone may increase the amount of these drugs in your body, which can lead to serious adverse side adverse effects.
Inform your doctor if you suffer from kidney or liver diseases stomach problems, nursing or pregnant. In these circumstances, some medicines, like SSRIs may not be appropriate for you.
If buspirone doesn't work or you are unable to use it due to an illness or interaction with a different medication or other medication, your doctor will recommend an alternative treatment for your anxiety. It could be a new type of antidepressant, such as Lexapro, Prozac, a beta-blocker like propranolol or a benzodiazepine, such as Xanax. The PIL will provide more details about the best way to make use of the drug as well as possible side effects.
Other Medications

In addition to medication There are other options to help ease anxiety. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, is one option. Psychotherapy can help you change the way you think about your anxiety and help you develop strategies to reduce it. Other options include learning relaxation skills and maintaining a regular workout routine, and avoiding alcohol and other drugs.
pediatric anxiety treatment can be helpful for people with anxiety symptoms. If you've tried these alternatives but they don't work, talk to your doctor.
Antidepressants andbenzodiazepines are the two main categories of medications used to combat anxiety. Benzodiazepines, such as Ativan (lorazepam) can enhance the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA in your brain, which helps to increase tranquility. They can provide relief quickly but they also become addictive when used long-term. Antidepressants are more difficult to use but they help regulate the levels in your brain of certain chemicals called neurotransmitters that affect your mood.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs are the most popular kind of antidepressant used to treat anxiety. They boost the amount of serotonin, a chemical messenger in your brain. This can improve your mood or reduce anxiety. Another class of antidepressants, serotonin norepinephrine-reuptake inhibitors known as SNRIs, block the reabsorption of serotonin and norepinephrine within your brain, increasing levels of these chemicals and making you feel more energized. Monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs) are an additional class of antidepressants that is often prescribed by those who do not respond to SSRIs to treat anxiety.
There are a myriad of other medications frequently used to treat anxiety, such as azapirones (such as buspirone) alpha- and beta-blockers, antihistamines (such as hydroxyzine) and Clonidine. The majority of these have lower success rates than SSRIs and benzodiazepines.
While medication is an effective anxiety treatment, it shouldn't be the sole treatment you employ. Non-drug treatments can be more effective if you have an underlying reason for your anxiety such as eating disorders, debt or a bad relationship. Other options include cognitive behavior therapy, also known as CBT; biofeedback, which teaches you to manage your own brain waves with a monitoring device and mindfulness meditation, a form of meditation that focuses on the present moment.