What is the Best Drug For Anxiety Disorder?

There are a myriad of medications that can treat anxiety disorders. However, very little progress has been made in the creation of new ones. Neuropeptides and agents have demonstrated potential in studies.

The most common medication is a the benzodiazepine. These are fast-acting tranquilizers that include alprazolam (Xanax) and clonazepam (Klonopin). These drugs offer immediate relief, however they also can cause severe side effects.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines such as Valium, Xanax and Lorazepam they work by increasing the brain chemical GABA. They relax the nervous system and provide instant relief but they can also become addicting if they are used for a long period of time. You are also at greater chance of having seizures when you mix them with other medications, including antidepressants.

They are used to treat a wide range of conditions including alcohol withdrawal as well as agitation, aggression spasms, seizures and REM sleep behaviour disorder. They are also effective as anxiolytics and hypnotics. However, their use is controversial since they are not suitable for all people. They can cause adverse effects such as drowsiness and confusion. Some people can become dependent on them. This can cause addiction. They may also cause a dangerous rebound. It is not recommended to use them for more than two weeks.

The drugs are absorbed rapidly and begin to work within minutes. They assist in reducing the neurotransmitters’ activity that transmit over-stimulating signals to brain. They also reduce the body’s production of a stress hormone called adrenaline. They also aid in preventing the creation of new memories, which can be a source of anxiety and panic.

There are many different types of benzodiazepines that each have an effect that is slightly different. Your doctor will prescribe one that is suited to your specific needs and you’ll be in a position to distinguish the difference based on how it affects you. Some are short-acting and last only a few minutes while others are able to be used at any time.

Another medication that can reduce anxiety and hypnotic symptoms is beta blocker Propranolol that is commonly prescribed for social anxiety and public speaking. It also helps reduce the negative effects of benzodiazepines, such as orthostatic hypotension (when your blood pressure drops when you stand up), bradycardia (low heart rate) and sedation.

Antidepressants take longer to effect but they can aid in reducing anxiety, hypnotic signs and anxiolytics in certain people. They do this by controlling and balancing neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and norepinephrine. However they’re not thought to be the first-line treatment for PD and may be more useful on a case-by-case basis combination with benzodiazepines to treat acute anxiety.

Sleeping Medicines

It is normal to feel anxious or stressed at times. If these feelings are affecting your everyday life it is recommended to seek out a mental health professional. Psychiatrists have extensive training in managing medication and can help you choose the appropriate anxiety medication for you, taking into account your diagnosis, medical history and personal preferences.

SSRIs are prescribed by doctors to treat anxiety disorders and depression. SSRIs boost levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter which regulates mood and appetite. They can also improve sleep and reduce anxiety and phobias. The typical SSRIs used to combat anxiety include sertraline, citalopram and escitalopram. SSRIs can take a few weeks to start working and can trigger negative side effects, such as insomnia or sexual dysfunction.

Benzodiazepines or benzos are quick-acting medications that can provide immediate relief from anxiety symptoms. Benzos are controlled substances that target the neurotransmitter Gamma-aminobutyric Acid (GABA) and can reduce the brain and body when you are feeling overexcited. They can also reduce seizures and pain and are frequently used to treat conditions like PTSD, GAD, and panic disorder. Benzos are addictive and can cause memory problems, addiction and other dangerous adverse effects. Benzos can also cause sedation, dizziness, confusion and a decreased pulse rate.

Beta blockers, such as propranolol are a different class of anxiety medication that is prescribed to decrease anxiety symptoms. They are usually prescribed to treat heart conditions. However they can also be used by those suffering from anxiety to lower blood pressure and heart rates and to ease asthma symptoms. Beta blockers can cause serious side effects like hepatitis and liver damage in patients with preexisting medical conditions.

There are numerous new drugs being developed and tested to treat anxiety disorders. These include drugs that target neuropeptides, glutamate and other chemicals in the brain. However, few have advanced to Phase III trials for anxiety disorders, as compared to the amount of new medications being developed and tested for PTSD, OCD, depression and bipolar disorder.

Antidepressants

The medications used to treat anxiety disorders are usually referred to as antidepressants. There are a variety of classes of medication that doctors prescribe to treat anxiety disorders. However they all have the same effects on the brain and body. Before taking any medication to combat anxiety, it is important to speak with a doctor.

SSRIs such as fluoxetine sertraline and paroxetine are typically the first choice for treating anxiety. These medications boost the levels of serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter within the brain that improves communication between nerve cell. They may also boost the levels of norepinephrine, which helps regulate mood. SNRIs include venlafaxine (Effexor XR) and citalopram (Celexa), are also often prescribed. They work in the same manner to SSRIs, but they are less prone to side effects.

Atypical antidepressants, like mirtazapine (Zoloft) and Clonidine (Ursamin) are a different class of antidepressants that function similarly to SSRIs and SNRIs. They are effective, but they take longer to begin working. Anticonvulsants such as gabapentin, pregabalin and tiagabine can help with anxiety. GABAergic medications increase the activity of receptors that block neurotransmitters, thus reducing anxiety.

Beta-blockers, traditionally used to treat heart problems can also be used for anxiety. Propranolol is also known as Benadryl, is used to treat anxiety disorders, such as performance anxiety.

Other medications are sometimes prescribed off-label to treat anxiety like hydroxyzine (Visitor) an antihistamine which can relax muscles and cause sleepiness. This is commonly used to treat anxiety accompanied by itching from allergies. These medications require further study but preliminary studies show promise.

Other Medicines

Psychiatrists recommend that people with anxiety who have been suffering for a long time try other treatments. These are usually a mixture of antidepressants and other types of drugs, such as sedatives and sleep medications. They are long-term use and have a lower addiction risk than benzodiazepines. However, they do be associated with side effects, such as constipation and dry mouth.

Antidepressants are the initial line of treatment for anxiety. They include selective serotonin reuptake inhibits (SSRIs) or selective norepinephrine inhibitions (SNRIs) which target brain chemicals serotonin and norepinephrine. They include citalopram, sertraline, escitalopram, and paroxetine. The antidepressants duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor XR) are also effective in treating anxiety disorders . Tricyclic antidepressants like mirtazapine, (Remeron) can also be helpful.

Antidepressants and medications that affect GABA the neurotransmitter have been proven to decrease anxiety. These include pregabalin, gabapentin, tiagabine and lamotrigine. They affect calcium channels in the nervous system, which reduces neurotransmitter release. These are also effective in treating herpes and neuropathic neuralgia, the fibromyalgia syndrome, some seizures and fibromyalgia.

Another option is a benzodiazepine, which can be useful in the treatment of anxiety-related symptoms on a temporary basis however, it should only be used under close medical supervision. These sedatives can be addictive and may exacerbate the original anxiety disorder. Psychologists have extensive experience in taking a look at your needs and developing an effective medication management plan that works for you.

A final medication that may be prescribed is an MAOI which is a more traditional kind of medication that treats panic disorder as well as social anxiety disorders by increasing the quantity of neurotransmitters present in your body. The drugs are typically prescribed in a small dose and then gradually increased to avoid side effects, such as nausea and low sodium levels.

The best way to tackle anxiety disorders is by using a three-pronged approach, which includes medication, psychotherapy and exercise. Each person’s approach to treatment differs, but the majority find relief by combing these therapies. Your therapist will help you learn about cognitive behavioral therapy that assists you in changing your thoughts, emotions and behavior. They might also suggest accepting and committing to therapy, which teaches you to accept negative emotions and concerns instead of trying to push them aside.