Anxiety Treatments Medication If you suffer from severe anxiety It is crucial to seek out professional help Treatment options include lifestyle changes, such as reduction of stress and regular physical exercise Your doctor might also suggest psychological therapy The FDA has approved several medications for anxiety disorders, such as SNRIs and SSRIs, which affect the neurotransmitter serotonin Pregabalin, an anticonvulsant, can decrease anxiety by affecting GABA receptors Benzodiazepines Benzodiazepines help to calm the nervous system by acting on it They function by increasing the effects of a neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acids GABA in the brain GABA reduces nerve activity in the brain and spinal cord and helps to reduce anxiety Benzodiazepines can relieve anxiety symptoms in a matter of minutes unlike antidepressants, which can take weeks to work However, benzodiazepines have a high risk of abuse and dependence This is because the body adapts to benzodiazepines through regular use, which can lead to physical dependence Despite the risks they are a reliable treatment for anxiety when other methods are not readily available or do not offer relief Although benzodiazepines are a potent treatment for anxiety, it's important to talk to your doctor before using these medications They can help you identify the root of your anxiety and discuss other treatments that may be more appropriate Talking therapies such as cognitive behaviour therapy CBT as well as exposure therapy, and more can help you to address the root of your anxiety They will also teach you coping techniques Benzodiazepines do not usually come first in the treatment of anxiety disorders since they can have dangerous effects when paired with alcohol or other drugs They can also be addicting and carry a high risk of overdose The first benzodiazepines, chlordiazepoxide, Librium, Limbitrol, were introduced in 1950, then followed by diazepam, Valium and lorazepam, Ativan All of these medications come with a black box warning, indicating that they may cause serious or life-threatening side effects, such as breathing problems, severe sleepiness or coma and even death if used in conjunction in combination with opioids or illegal substances SSRIs SSRIs are a group of antidepressant medications that is typically the first choice of people who suffer from anxiety These drugs boost the levels of certain chemical messengers, such as serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain They also aid in the regulation of other important chemicals, including those that regulate sleep and mood and decrease the level of stress hormones within your body The most commonly prescribed SSRI for anxiety is fluoxetine, which is more commonly known under the brand name Prozac Other SSRIs are Lexapro Zoloft and Paxil The SNRIs are Effexor XR Cymbalta and Pristiq Experts aren't certain exactly how SSRIs treat anxiety but they do know the medications improve your brain's functioning They boost BDNF brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor levels, boost the number of glial cells brain cells that help nourish and protect your neuronal cells and boost serotonin levels It's not clear what the exact mechanism of action of these supplements is however it could be a combination of factors SSRIs like other types of medication, can take up to a month before they begin to work https//wwwiampsychiatrycom/anxiety-treatment require regular treatment to maintain their effectiveness They can trigger adverse effects, including nausea and diarrhea Some men may experience a decrease in libido or sodium levels Your physician will decide the amount of time you should take them, depending on your condition and other treatments you're using They may recommend that you continue to use them for 6 to 12 months or help you to reduce or stop the meds They may also suggest alternative treatments, such as psychotherapy or herbs and supplements that can treat anxiety-related symptoms like Vistaril for itching or Chamomile for sleep Beta-blockers Beta-blockers also called beta-adrenergic blockers stop adrenaline from binding to your heart's receptors This allows your heart to relax and lowers blood pressure They are prescribed for anxiety, and can be an alternative to traditional psychiatric drugs that have side effects Although beta-blockers can alleviate physical symptoms of anxiety, they do not address the underlying mental causes of your anxiety They are typically used to manage specific situations which trigger anxiety such as public speaking and flying They can be utilized in conjunction together with therapy to treat anxiety disorders or as a long-term daily medicine Because of the way they work beta blockers can cause various side effects, including hypotension and bradycardia You might also feel shaky or sweaty Some people with asthma, COPD chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or diabetes shouldn't be taking them Beta blockers are widely studied and used despite the negative side effects They've been on the market since decades and are generally considered to be safe for adults They are also fairly inexpensive and readily available compared to other drugs For many, the side effects are worth it for their effectiveness Beta-blockers are an excellent option for those suffering from mild to moderate anxiety They are more effective than benzodiazepines, which are the best choice for those suffering from severe or life-threatening anxiety disorders They can't address the root of your problem and are best used to ease anxiety in the short term, like before an important event like the flight or speech In addition to reducing anxiety, they can help you sleep better and manage your blood sugar Monoamine oxidase inhibitors Monoamine Oxase inhibitors MAOIs, block the enzyme responsible for breaking down monoamine neurotransmitters They stop the breakdown of serotonin melatonin, epinephrine, and norepinephrine in neurons and increase their capacity for transmission They are typically used as antidepressants, but they also show some effectiveness in anxiety disorders They can be taken on their own or in combination with other medication They can also be used to treat Parkinson's disease and other ailments Eugenol, an essential oil, can be found in the buds, leaves, and stems of clove Syzygium Aromaticum and the cinnamon bark In a test tube, Eugenol was found to block MAOI activity and may negatively interact with these medications MAOIs have serious adverse effects and aren't usually the first medicine that doctors prescribe for depression or anxiety Usually, they are reserved for those who have failed to respond to other medications They can also be used to treat various other conditions, such as Parkinson's and fibromyalgia They can lead to low blood pressure when standing from a lying or sitting position, which is called orthostatic hypotension Common MAOIs include phenelzine tranylcypromine, and isocarboxazid Phenelzine is used to treat the treatment of atypical anxiety and depression It has limited research on panic disorder These medications aren't as powerful as SSRIs but they are beneficial in treating certain types of depression and anxiety disorders The more recent reversible MAOIs that are reversible like selegiline and moclobemide, are safer than the older irreversible MAOIs They are also more effective than older MAOIs at increasing the levels of monoamines implicated in depressive disorders They are less likely to trigger hypertension, but they still have a risk of developing dependence on pharmacological substances Buspirone Combining psychological therapy with medication is the best way to manage anxiety The use of medication can alleviate symptoms however they should be taken only under the supervision of a physician There are many medications that can be used to treat anxiety They may work differently for each person Discuss with your doctor about your anxiety and he or she will prescribe the right medication for you Buspirone, an FDA-approved anxiety drug, works by modulating neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine This helps reduce mood and anxiety symptoms, but it does not cause sedation or interfere with cognitive function It's also less likely to be more habit-forming than other sedatives such as benzodiazepines This makes it a great choice for people who want to reduce their anxiety, but don't want to take drugs like Xanax SSRIs and SNRIs are typically the first treatment option for people suffering from generalized anxiety disorder GAD They are antidepressants that increase the levels of serotonin and can aid in regulating mood They are typically prescribed in conjunction with anxiety medications such as benzodiazepines However, they are generally not prescribed for long periods because they can become addicting and have adverse effects such as drowsiness Psychological treatments for GAD that include medication have shown to be effective on a short-term basis and can improve the results over time These include cognitive behavioural therapy CBT exposure therapy, and creative or artistic therapies Psychological therapy can help patients develop strategies to manage their anxiety and depression This can help them live a more full life and manage symptoms A majority of these treatments are accessible on the internet, and some might be covered by your insurance For example, Brightside is an online therapy service that offers an array of depression and anxiety treatments that include CBT