How To Explain Anxiety Treatment Medicines To Your Mom
Anxiety Treatment Medications
People with anxiety disorders usually recover with psychotherapy and medication. Benzodiazepines such as Xanax, Klonopin, and Valium are used to treat anxiety.
Antidepressants can also be used to treat anxiety. SSRIs like fluoxetine and citalopram help by stopping nerve cells in the mind from absorbing serotonin. This chemical affects mood.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines (benzos) are powerful medicines that treat anxiety very well and can be used quickly. They are also physically addictive and carry significant safety risks when used for a long time. For this reason, they should always be prescribed and taken under the guidance of a physician. They can be used as a "as-needed" treatment for panic attacks and other anxiety-related episodes that are severe. Benzos are typically employed in conjunction with other medications such as antidepressants or psychotherapy (talk therapy), as part of a comprehensive treatment for anxiety disorders.
Benzos can be extremely effective in treating anxiety for a short time, and they help you sleep better. They can be hazardous when misused and are not recommended to be used in conjunction with other drugs. When mixed with sedative drugs like alcohol or opioid pain medication, benzodiazepines could increase the risk of an overdose and even death. They may also interfere negatively with certain antidepressants and cause severe withdrawal symptoms.
If prescribed by a physician When prescribed by a doctor, benzodiazepines are safe and effective in treating anxiety disorders. A lot of doctors are cautious when prescribing them as they can trigger dependence and negative side effects, such as memory loss. The long-term use of these medications can cause severe withdrawal symptoms and those who become dependent are often unable stop taking them without experiencing severe side effects such as depression and seizures. The main thing to remember about long-term use of benzos is to use them only to patients who may benefit from them; use them in clinical situations that will likely alleviate anxiety symptoms; stay away from prolonged use or abrupt discontinuation; minimize the chance of abuse, especially by children; and mix them with effective psychological therapies.
Anxiety medications, including benzodiazepines, can alleviate anxiety by blocking certain nerve signals and stopping them from being released in the brain. These drugs can aid in sleeping more comfortably and feel less stressed but they can't fix the root cause of what makes you anxious (like increasing bills or a strained relationship).
There are many natural ways to lessen anxiety like meditation, exercise and yoga. Other options include cognitive behavioral therapy, which teaches you to confront your irrational fears and anxiety.
Antidepressants
SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are a great alternative for those suffering from anxiety as they work on the brain to regulate mood. However, they can take between four and six weeks or longer to begin working. If one doesn't feel better in that time they should speak to their physician about changing their medications.
Antidepressants like mirtazapine or Nefazodone are effective in treating anxiety. They may work faster compared to older drugs such as venlafaxine XR. It is important to be aware that these drugs can cause severe reactions in certain people. If you have this reaction, call healthdirect at 1800 022222 to talk to a registered nurse.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors, also known as MAOIs, are another kind of antidepressant that can be used for anxiety. They block the action of enzymes that break down chemicals in the brain which include dopamine and noradrenaline. This allows the levels these chemicals to increase and have a positive impact on mood. MAOIs are generally reserved for patients who do not improve on other kinds of antidepressants, however, they can be effective in treating anxiety.
Among the most effective antidepressants to treat anxiety are the tricyclic antidepressants. They treat mental and anxiety disorders in a similar manner to SSRIs, but with fewer side-effects. These medications start at a lower dose and their effectiveness improves as the dosage increases. Tricyclics are effective for treating anxiety, panic disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder however they are less likely to help with generalized anxiety disorder.
Buspirone, a newer antidepressant is also used to combat anxiety. It is a mild tranquilizer but doesn't have the same negative side effects as benzodiazepines. It also doesn't impair memory or coordination. It is a way of increasing serotonin levels in the brain, and reducing dopamine. The drug can be effective for up to 70% of those who try it. The adverse effects are likely to diminish as the medication is used for longer durations. Talk therapy, like exposure therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy, can be combined with these medications to improve their effects.
Buspirone
Buspirone is a generic medication that is used to treat anxiety disorders. It's taken by mouth generally twice daily. It is not a controlled drug however there is a chance of abuse.

Doctors aren't sure exactly how buspirone works, but believe that it decreases the amount of serotonin and its actions in specific areas of the brain. This makes the nervous systems less sensitive to stress and anxiety.
In general, doctors consider buspirone a safe drug for most people. It is generally believed to be less harmful and has a lower chance of addiction than benzodiazepines and barbiturates. Like other medicines there are some adverse reactions. Most common are nausea and dizziness. Buspirone may interact with other medicines, supplements and other ingredients. Inform your doctor if taking any of these before starting the drug.
Your doctor might prescribe a lower dose if you are over 65. This is because older people tend to react to drugs differently than younger individuals do. This is especially true for drugs that affect your nervous system.
It's also important to inform your doctor if taking an inhibitor of monoamine oxidase, like isocarboxazid (Marplan) or linezolid (Zyvox) or Phenelzine (Nardil) selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar) or tranylcypromine (Parnate). Buspirone can cause serious adverse side effects by increasing the levels of these drugs.
Inform your doctor to consult your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease stomach issues, are nursing or pregnant. Certain medications, like SSRIs are not appropriate for you in these situations.
If buspirone isn't effective or you're unable to use it due to a medical condition or interaction with other medications or other medication, your doctor will recommend an alternative treatment for anxiety. It could be a new type of antidepressant, such as Lexapro, Prozac, a beta-blocker, such as propranolol or a benzodiazepine like Xanax. The PIL will provide more details about the best way to use the drug and possible adverse reactions.
Other Medicines
There are other options that can reduce anxiety. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is a possible option. Psychotherapy can help you learn how to cope with anxiety and change your ways of thinking. Other options include acquiring relaxation techniques, maintaining a regular workout routine, and abstaining from using drugs and alcohol. Some people experience relief from anxiety-related symptoms by taking herbal medicines. If none of these options work, speak to your doctor.
The two main categories of medications used to treat anxiety. Benzodiazepines, like Ativan (lorazepam) can enhance the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid or GABA, in your brain to promote peace. They offer quick relief, however they can be addictive if used long-term. Antidepressants take longer to kick in but they balance the levels of certain chemicals in your brain, known as neurotransmitters, which affect your mood.
SSRIs are the most common antidepressants used to treat anxiety. They boost the amount of serotonin, the chemical messenger in your brain, which can boost your mood and make you feel less stressed. social anxiety treatment (SNRIs) are another antidepressant that blocks the reabsorption of serotonin and norepinephrine out of your brain. This raises levels of these chemicals in your body, which makes you feel more energetic. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are an additional class of antidepressants that is often prescribed by people who do not respond to SSRIs to combat anxiety.
There are many other medications that can be used to combat anxiety. These include azapirones, alpha- and Beta-blockers Antihistamines, for instance Clonidine and hydroxyzine. Most of these have a lower success rate than SSRIs and benzodiazepines.
Although medication is an effective anxiety treatment however, it shouldn't be your only treatment you use. If you have an underlying reason for your anxiety like debt, poor diet, or a bad relationship, non-medicative treatments could be more efficient. Other options include cognitive behavior therapy, also known as biofeedback, which helps you to manage your brain waves by using a monitor device; and mindfulness meditation, which is a kind of meditation that is focused on the present moment.