Anxiety Treatment Medications Psychotherapy and medication can help people suffering from anxiety disorders Benzodiazepines such as Xanax, Klonopin, and Valium are used to help with anxiety Antidepressants can also help with anxiety SSRIs such as citalopram Celexa and fluoxetine Prozac are effective in preventing brain nerve cells from reabsorbing serotonin, which is a chemical that affects mood Benzodiazepines Benzodiazepines are potent medications for treating anxiety They are effective and quick They are also physically addictive and pose serious safety risks if used for prolonged periods They should only be taken under the supervision of a medical professional They can be useful as an "as required" treatment for panic attacks or other extreme anxiety episodes Benzos are often employed in conjunction with other medicines like antidepressants and psychotherapy talk therapy, as part of an overall treatment for anxiety disorders Benzos can be very effective in treating anxiety for a brief duration, and they can help you sleep better They can be hazardous if abused and are not recommended for use in conjunction with other medications When benzodiazepines are combined with sedatives like alcohol and opioid pain medication the risk of dying or overdose rises They may also interact negatively with antidepressants, causing severe withdrawal symptoms If prescribed by your physician If prescribed by your doctor, benzodiazepines are efficient and safe for treating anxiety disorders Many doctors are cautious when prescribing them due to the fact that they can cause addiction and adverse side effects, like memory loss Long-term use can trigger an extreme withdrawal reaction and those who become dependent are frequently unable to stop taking them without experiencing severe side effects like depression and seizures The main thing to remember about long-term use of benzos is to prescribe them only for patients who could benefit from them, and use them in clinical situations that are likely to improve anxiety symptoms; avoid prolonged use or abrupt discontinuation; reduce the chance of abuse, particularly by children; and pair them with effective psychological interventions Anxiety medications, including benzodiazepines, can ease anxiety by blocking certain nerve signals and preventing them from being released in the brain These medications can help you sleep better and feel less anxious but they can't fix the underlying problem that's making you worry like increasing bills or a strained relationship Meditation, exercise, and yoga are all natural methods to lessen anxiety Cognitive behavioral therapy is another treatment You learn to conquer the irrational fears and anxieties Antidepressants SSRIs also known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, are a good option for people suffering from anxiety, as they help the brain regulate mood However, they could take four to six weeks or more to get started If the patient does not feel better after this period, they should speak to the doctor about changing their the medication Newer antidepressants, such as mirtazapine and nefazodone can also be beneficial in treating anxiety They may work faster than older medications such as venlafaxine and XR It is important to be aware that these medications may cause severe reactions in some individuals If you encounter this reaction, contact healthdirect at 1800 022222 and talk to a registered nurse MAOIs are an additional type of antidepressant which can be used to treat anxiety They block enzymes that break chemicals in the brain down into noradrenaline https//wwwiampsychiatrycom/anxiety-treatment allows levels of these chemicals, which can have a positive effects on mood, to rise MAOIs are generally reserved for patients who do not respond to other kinds of antidepressants, but they can be effective in treating anxiety The most effective antidepressants to treat anxiety are tricyclic antidepressants These drugs are similar to SSRIs in the way they treat anxiety and other mental disorders, but they are less prone to side effects These medications are effective at low doses, but their effectiveness increases with increasing dosage Tricyclics are effective for treating panic disorder, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder however they are less likely to help with generalized anxiety disorder Buspirone, an antidepressant that is newer, is also used for anxiety It functions as an a mild tranquilizer, however it doesn't cause the same adverse effects as benzodiazepines It doesn't affect memory or coordination It works by increasing serotonin in the brain, and reducing dopamine As high as 70 of people who take the drug find it effective As the medication is taken for longer, the effects decrease Talk therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy and/or exposure therapy, can be incorporated with these medications to enhance their effects Buspirone Buspirone is a medication used to treat anxiety disorders It's taken by mouth, usually twice a day It's not a regulated drug however there is a chance of abuse Doctors don't know exactly how buspirone functions, but they do know that it reduces the levels of serotonin and its effects in specific areas of the brain This makes the nervous system less sensitive to anxiety and stress Buspirone is generally regarded as safe by doctors for the majority of people It's generally thought as having a lower degree of toxicity and a smaller risk of addiction than barbiturates and benzodiazepines Like other drugs, it may cause side effects Most commonly, they are dizziness and nausea It is essential to inform your doctor about all the medicines, supplements and other ingredients that you are taking prior to starting buspirone since it can interact with them If you're older than 65, your doctor might prescribe buspirone at a lower dose This is because people who are older tend to react differently to drugs than younger people This is especially true of drugs that affect the nervous system Tell your doctor the doctor if any of these medicines are taking by you These include isocarboxazid, selegiline, phenelzine, linezolid, Emsam, Zelapar, and tranylcypromine Buspirone may increase the amount of these drugs in your body, which can lead to serious adverse side effects Consult your physician whether you suffer from kidney disease, liver disease stomach problems, nursing or pregnant In these cases, certain medicines, such as SSRIs might not be suitable for you If buspirone isn't working or you are unable to use it due to a medical condition or interaction with other medications Your doctor may prescribe an alternative method of treatment for anxiety It could be a new kind of antidepressant like Lexapro, Prozac, a beta-blocker, such as propranolol or a benzodiazepine such as Xanax The PIL for each drug will contain more information about how to take it as well as possible adverse reactions Other Medications There are other options that can help reduce anxiety Psychotherapy or talk therapy is a possible option Psychotherapy can assist you in changing the way you think about your anxiety and help you develop strategies to manage it Other options include learning relaxation techniques, a regular exercise routine, and avoiding alcohol and drugs Herbal medications can help some sufferers with anxiety-related symptoms If you've tried these alternatives and they aren't working consult your physician Medications used as an anxiety treatment typically fall into two broad categories benzodiazepines and antidepressants Benzodiazepines, such as Ativan lorazepam are able to increase the function of gamma-aminobutyric acids, or GABA which is found in your brain, which helps to increase calmness They can provide relief quickly, but they can also become addictive when used long-term Antidepressants are slower to work but they help regulate the levels in your brain of specific chemicals called neurotransmitters that affect your mood SSRIs are the most commonly used antidepressants for anxiety They increase the amount of serotonin, a chemical signalling agent in your brain This can boost your mood and reduce anxiety Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors SNRIs are a different antidepressant that stops the reabsorption both of serotonin and norepinephrine out of your brain This increases levels of these chemicals in your body, which makes you feel more energized Monoamine oxide inhibitors MAOIs are an additional class of antidepressants that is often prescribed by people who don't respond to SSRIs to treat anxiety There are a variety of other medications that are sometimes used to treat anxiety disorders, including azapirones such as buspirone beta- and alpha-blockers antihistamines such as hydroxyzine and clonidine The majority of these have a lower success rate than SSRIs and benzodiazepines While medication is an effective treatment for anxiety, it shouldn't always be used Non-drug treatments can be more effective if you have an underlying cause for your anxiety like food insecurity, debt, or a bad relationship Other options include cognitive behavior therapy CBT, biofeedback which teaches you how to manage your brain's waves with a monitor and mindfulness meditation