Deciding If Anxiety Medication Is Right For You
What Are Ssris And Snris
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors like Zoloft and Prozac, and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors like Effexor and Pristiq are antidepressant medications, but they can help with anxiety symptoms as well. For this reason, many providers will prescribe an SSRI or SNRI if you have a combination of depression and anxiety.
SSRIs and SNRIs are not an instant fix for symptoms associated with an anxiety disorder, nor do they even provide immediate relief, Alonzo said. They work by interacting with the neurotransmitters and receptors in your brain, which can help regulate mood, sleep and energy levels. It is important for patients to understand that these medications may take four to six weeks for full effect.
Some patients may respond better to one of these medications than others. If after taking the medication for two weeks and symptoms have not improved, talk to your provider to have your medication regimen adjusted. Treatment trials with more than one medication are not uncommon.
Anxiety And Depression: Why Dont We Want To Take Medication
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Depression and anxiety are commonly talked about these days, yet many people still hesitate to address it all, let alone take prescription medication for it. Its not unusual to have concerns about treating your mental health concerns with medication. If youre dealing with anxiety or depression, maybe you face issues and thoughts like these:
Ideas of self-control Sometimes we think maturity should mean emotions are constantly in balance, but emotional maturity actually involves many things, including knowing when to ask for help. If youve got an infection, you may need an antibiotic and if you break a bone you may need a cast. In the same way, biology, genetics or circumstances may trigger a need for extra mental health support.
Fear of being labeled Theres a tendency to view emotional health differently than other health conditions. Maybe you believe your condition lacks legitimacy or worry that people will think less of you if youre treated for anxiety or depression. In truth, the conditions are much more common than many people realize, and the unspoken understanding much more widespread. The National Alliance on Mental Illness reports that one in five adults in the United States experiences a mental illness in a given year.1
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Medications Used To Treat Anxiety Disorders
Although a variety of categories of medications are used in the treatment of anxiety, here are four major classes of medications that mental health professionals use to treat anxiety disorders.
Each class of medication attempts to reduce anxiety in a different way and has its own benefits and risks. While some may be considered preferred options, the drug selection can vary based on the type of anxiety you have and your symptoms.
Using medications for anxiety disorder is considered safe and effective. It can take several weeks for most anxiety medications to start working, and can be particularly helpful when used along with psychotherapy.
Is It As Problematic To Take Pills For Easing Painful Feelings Of Anxiety As It Is To Take Pills For Easing Physical Pain
For patients with extreme anxiety, medication can feel like a godsend. Sufferers can relax. They can live normal lives.
Sadly, however, physicians often prescribe anti-anxiety medications to decrease milder anxious feelings like worry, stress, and stomach butterflies. Over-prescribing, rather than prescribing per se, is the main problem.
In addition, using anti-anxiety medications for any reason over many months or years invites addiction problems. While brief use to calm a short-term episode of over-whelming anxiety may be worthwhile, wariness is appropriate. Easing one’s difficultyanxietyby causing an equal or worse difficultyaddictionis inappropriate.
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Other Options For Anxiety Treatment
It is always best to use non-pharmacological treatment for anxiety when possible. Even when people require medication, adding alternative treatments for anxiety is helpful for improving treatment outcomes.
Lifestyle modifications are an effective natural treatment for anxiety and are known to reduce anxiety symptoms. These include:
- Reducing the use of caffeine and stimulants
- Abstaining from drugs of abuse, including alcohol
- Exercise
- Relaxation breathing, meditation and biofeedback
- Massage therapy and acupuncture
- Teletherapy or online counseling
Cognitive behavioral therapy is supported by an overwhelming amount of research evidence as an effective therapy for anxiety and other mental health disorders Combining CBT with medication therapy and lifestyle changes is an efficient way to treat anxiety symptoms and improve a persons level of function and quality of life.
The professional staff at The Recovery Village have the expertise and experience to help people overcome anxiety disorders that are co-occurring with a substance use disorder. Contact us today for a confidential discussion if you have concerns about yourself or a loved one.
If youre looking for healthy ways to manage anxiety that dont require medication, the Nobu app can help. It is free and for anyone that is looking to reduce anxiety, work through depression, build self-esteem, get aftercare following treatment, attend teletherapy sessions and so much more. Download the Nobu app today!
Your Experience On Anti Anxiety Meds
Okay so I have been struggling with anxiety for a few years, and I have always tried to handle it on my own. I am stubborn as hell Recently though, I have started considering seeing a psychologist. Mostly because I am in a new relationship with an amazing hooman. My anxiety is limiting me from being the best version of myself for the relationship. I can feel my anxiety creeping into my relationship and limiting it in other ways too. I am just so over the struggle, you know? It gets tiring. Anyway so if the psychologist feels like I can benefit from meds, I might be open to try it. I just want to understand how different kinds of meds affect you overall, how tou feel on them, how it affects your personality etc. Does the good outweigh the bad?
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How Do I Know If I Have Generalized Anxiety Disorder
The first step is to rule out the possibility that your symptoms are being caused by a medical condition that is not psychiatric. Among the conditions that produce symptoms similar to those of anxiety are hyperthyroidism or other endocrine problems, too much or too little calcium, low blood sugar, and certain heart problems. Certain medicines also can sometimes cause anxiety. A thorough evaluation by your health care provider will determine if any of these conditions are the cause of your symptoms.
If no other medical culprit can be found and the symptoms seem out of proportion to any situation you are facing, you may be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.
Other Medications For Anxiety
Many other medicines may help treat anxiety, although doctors usually only prescribe them if SSRIs or similar drugs do not work.
Other medications for anxiety include:
Beta-blockers
Beta-blockers are a common medication for people with high blood pressure and heart conditions. However, doctors may prescribe them off-label for anxiety in certain situations.
Beta-blockers reduce the effects of norepinephrine, meaning that they can relieve some of the physical symptoms of anxiety. Examples of beta-blockers include atenolol and propranolol .
Buspirone
This anti-anxiety medication may treat short- or long-term anxiety symptoms.
Buspirone works much more slowly than benzodiazepines and may not treat all types of anxiety disorder, but it causes fewer side effects and has a lower risk of dependency.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors are one of the earliest types of antidepressant. Doctors may prescribe them off-label to treat the symptoms of panic disorder and social phobia. Types of MAOI include:
- isocarboxazid
- sweating
- weight gain
These medications also interact with several other drugs as well as some foods and drinks. Anyone taking MAOIs should ask their doctor for a complete list of the medicines, foods, and drinks that they need to avoid.
The United States Food and Drug Administration require all antidepressants to carry a black-box warning relating to the risk of suicide in children and young adults.
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Ssri Antidepressants For Anxiety
Many medications originally approved for the treatment of depression are also prescribed for anxiety. In comparison to benzodiazepines, the risk for dependency and abuse is smaller. However, antidepressants take up to 4 to 6 weeks to begin relieving anxiety symptoms, so they cant be taken as needed. Their use is limited to chronic anxiety problems that require ongoing treatment.
The antidepressants most widely prescribed for anxiety are SSRIs such as Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Lexapro, and Celexa. SSRIs have been used to treat generalized anxiety disorder , obsessive-compulsive disorder , panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Common side effects of SSRIs include:
- Fatigue
- Increased sweating
Do I Have An Anxiety Disorder
Common signs and symptoms of anxiety include nervousness, restlessness or tenseness, a sense of impending danger or doom, increased heart rate, breathing rapidly, sweating, trembling, feeling weak or tired, trouble concentrating or sleeping, stomach aches and headaches and the urge to avoid things that trigger anxiety.
Anxiety disorders often develop from a complex set of risk factors. The risk factors may include exposure to trauma, certain medical problems like thyroid disease or heart disease, stress due to a severe illness and other mental health disorders like depression. The use or misuse of drugs and alcohol can worsen symptoms of anxiety.
Anxiety disorders are best treated with a combination of therapy and medication, Alonzo said. It takes time to find the perfect combination for your symptoms. Your primary care provider is the best place to start that journey.
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Should You Take Medication For Anxiety
by Health Writer
When diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, you probably have questions about medication. Should you take it? Will it help? If you take medication, do you need to do anything else? Are there side-effects of medications? Is it worth it?
While we can’t answer the last question or even decide for you whether anxiety medication is a good option for you, we can give you some information to help you and your doctor decide whether medication will be a part of your treatment.
Many people with anxiety disorders choose to use medication to help reduce symptoms. But medication does not cure anxiety and often doesn’t entirely get rid of your anxiety. It can, however, help to reduce the symptoms, allowing you to implement some lifestyle changes and begin other treatment options so you can learn how to manage your anxiety symptoms.
Responding to a question on ABC News about anxiety medications, Philip G. Levendusky, Ph.D. said, “Medication is one component of an effective treatment program for anxiety disorders. Most typically, the combination of medication with other psychological interventions is looked at as the ultimate strategy for dealing with anxiety disorders.”
Signs You Might Benefit From Anti
Welcome to life on Planet Earth, where everybody gets nervous and worried now and then. Thats commonand it can sometimes be controlled with talk therapy or strategies like exercise and meditation.
But if anxiety is your constant companion or it continues to interfere with your daily life, it might be time to ask your mental health clinician about medication for anxiety.
Here are seven signs that you might benefit from a new approach.
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Can Doctors Prescribe Medicine Over The Phone
Yes, doctors can prescribe any medication during a phone appointment that is not classified as a controlled substance by the FDA .
Antidepressants can help control anxiety and can be prescribed after a phone or video appointment with a doctor.
However, benzodiazepines like Xanax are controlled substances that you can only get a prescription for by seeing a doctor or psychiatrist in person.
If you would like to talk to an online doctor about your anxiety, PlushCare is here to help. Make an appointment any time by or calling 798-0620.
For as little as your regular copay, you can talk to a board certified doctor about your symptoms.
If they feel itâs appropriate, the doctor can send an electronic prescription for a non-controlled anxiety medication to your local pharmacy, where you can pick it up as soon as itâs filled.
Take steps now to start controlling your anxiety. Talk to a trusted PlushCare doctor today!
Dosage For Social Anxiety Disorder
Adult dosage
- The typical starting dose is 25 mg per day. This is usually increased to 50 mg per day after 1 week.
- Your doctor will slowly increase your dose every week, as needed.
- The maximum dose is 200 mg per day.
Child dosage
The use of this drug to treat children with this condition has not been studied. It should not be used in people younger than 18 years.
Senior dosage
The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This raises your risk for side effects. Your doctor may start you on a lowered dose or a different dosing schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in your body.
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Side Effects Of Anxiety Medications
Just as it is important to know about how the different types of medications can help, it is also important to be aware of possible side effects.
All medications have some side effects, although not all people have difficulty taking medications. Some may not feel side effects at all, others may have only mild side effects, and some may find the side effects disappear after a few weeks. You will need to weight the benefits of taking the medication to the potential for side effects.
Some of the common side effects of benzodiazepines:
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Drowsiness
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Clumsiness and inability to react quickly
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Dizziness
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Forgetfulness, loss of memory, impaired judgment, confusion
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Nausea
Some of the common side effects of beta-blockers:
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Nausea
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Light-headedness or dizziness
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Sleepiness
Again, each person may experience side effects differently and each type of medication may have many different side effects. Do some research on the medication you have been prescribed so you know what to expect.