What Is Anxiety Disorder
There is a multitude of anxiety disorders that cause anxiety, worry, and stress due to social interactions, personal health, work, or a particular phobia. Types of anxiety disorders include:
- Panic disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Given that anxiety is one of the most prevalent disorders in the United States there have been several medications developed to assist with treatment. Lifestyle and environmental factors can increase the risk of having anxiety, including increased stress factors caused by health conditions, sleep disorders, work situations, financial troubles, relationship problems, and death of loved ones. In addition, genetics, major depressive disorders, and family trauma may also trigger the onset of anxiety. Given the wide complexity of these issues, different medications aim to address some of the more common symptoms. Individuals are advised to use medication in combination with therapy for the most effective treatment. But what are some of the more common anti-anxiety medications? They can include:
Which Drugs Or Supplements Interact With Anti
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors have many important drug interactions when they are used for the treatment of anxiety or other health conditions.
Patients should not take anxiolytic drugs with any of the monoamine oxidase inhibitor class of antidepressants or other drugs that inhibit MAOIs such as linezolid and intravenous methylene blue. Examples of MAOIs include:
- isocarboxazid
- procarbazine
Patients that take such combinations may develop confusion, high blood pressure, tremor, hyperactivity, coma, and death. Patients may develop similar reactions if they combine SSRIs or SNRIs with other drugs that increase serotonin in the brain.
Combining SSRIs or SNRIs with warfarin, aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or other drugs that affect bleeding may increase the likelihood of patients developing upper gastrointestinal bleeding when these drugs are used for the treatment of anxiety or other health conditions.
Other drug interactions with anxiolytics
Azaperone
- Buspirone
What Can You Do Yourself
Many people with generalized anxiety disorder don’t even think of going to see a doctor. They try to manage their fears on their own, for example using books or information from the internet. Some learn relaxation techniques, such as progressive muscle relaxation, autogenic training or yoga. The effectiveness of these kinds of strategies for managing anxiety disorders on your own is not well studied in scientific studies. Relaxation techniques are often used in psychological treatments, but it isn’t known how effective they are when used alone.
Some people try herbal sedatives like valerian, lavender or passion flower. There hasn’t been much research on these products either. Many people assume that herbal remedies are better tolerated and safer than other kinds of medicine. But they can also have side effects and may influence the effects of other medication.
People who treat an anxiety disorder on their own may only seek professional help after a very long time. If an anxiety disorder is really affecting your everyday life, certain kinds of psychological treatment and medication can help.
Recommended Reading: How To Help A Young Adult With Anxiety
Are There Any Stress Medications
There is currently no such thing as a stress medication, but generally doctors will prescribe anxiety medications instead. Technically stress and anxiety are different, but they share enough similarities that the effects are considered the same.
If you are simply under a great deal of stress but your actual anxiety symptoms are not that strong, your doctor will likely prescribe you a very mild anxiolytic . Buspirone is a popular one, as it is considered one of the weakest on the market but also has the fewest side effects. Buspar is one of the few that is only an anxiolytic as well, so it’s unlikely to cause fatigue, personality changes, etc. All it does is reduce anxiety.
However, many find that Buspar is a bit too weak for their needs. Even though it has fewer side effects than other medications, it also may have some adverse reactions in some people. Unless your anxiety is pronounced, it’s unlikely that you’ll be given traditional anti-anxiety drugs like benzodiazepines for your stress. Benzodiazepines tend to cause a bit too much fatigue, and the addiction risk is pretty strong.
Instead, you’ll likely be prescribed antidepressants, the most common being selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs. Prozac is one of the most well-known SSRIs available, and others include Paxil, Effexor, and Vanatrip.
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.
Read Also: Can Anxiety Make You Nauseous
How Do These Medications Work
It remains unclear as to how these particular drugs help OCD. The good news is that after decades of research, we know how to treat patients, even though we do not know exactly why our treatments work.
We do know that each of these medications affect a chemical in the brain called serotonin. Serotonin is used by the brain as a messenger. If your brain does not have enough serotonin, then your the nerves in your brain might not be communicating right. Adding these medications to your body can help boost your serotonin and get your brain back on track.
Are There Differences Among Anxiety Medications
Anxiety medications in the same drug class work in a similar way and there are similarities between classes of anxiety medications.
- The SSRIs affect brain serotonin levels. They are the first-line for treating most types of anxiety.
- Other antidepressants, including the tricyclics and the monoamine oxidase inhibitors , that also act on brain serotonin and norepinephrine levels have more limited use because of their side effects and drug interactions.
The anxiolytic drugs, which specifically target these disorders, work in different ways and have specific treatment applications.
- Benzodiazepines act on the neurotransmitter gamma aminobutyric acid .
- Buspirone enhances the activity of serotonin.
- The antihistamine hydroxyzine , has a sedative effect by blocking certain receptors in the brain.
Medications normally used to treat high blood pressure also have specific off-label uses for treating panic disorders.
- The beta-blockers propranolol and atenolol have become a popular remedies for performance anxiety, also known as stage fright. They may also have some use in PTSD.
- The alpha-blocker prazosin eases nightmares from PTSD.
- Other alpha-blockers, such as clonidine and guanfacine , may also be useful for treating PTSD.
You May Like: Why Am I Getting Anxiety
What Is Buspirone Dosage And Best Time Of Day To Take It
For generalized anxiety disorder the oral tablets of buspirone are taken. The strengths of the oral tablets are 5 mg, 7.5 mg. 15 mg and 30 mg.
In adults, the buspirone is taken twice or thrice a day because of the short half-life. Most psychiatrists start the patient with 5 mg tablets taken three times a day . However, sometime the starting dose may not work and thus the dose may be increased progressively at 5 mg per day every two to three days.
No one should take more than 60 mg of buspirone in a day . In elderly people the maximum dose is 30 mg in a day. For the elderly, the liver and kidney function are not as effective as in adults and children and may not tolerate a very high dose.
The medication should be taken at almost the same time when the first dose was taken. Being a medication that is taken twice or thrice a day the times will always include a morning and an evening.
Food may reduce the absorption rate for buspirone but concomitant food and buspirone intake can increase its bioavailability. Therefore, it is recommended that you should either take the medication with or without food. However, the trend has to be sustained if you take buspirone with food, then ensure you take it with food and vice versa.
In case you forget to take the medication at any time, take it as soon as possible if it is not less than 6 hours to the next dose. Do not double dose buspirone because this can lead to serious side effects.
Should I Take These Medications Only When I Am Feeling Stressed
No. This is a common mistake. These medications are meant to be taken every day to keep your serotonin at a constant level. They are not taken like typical anti-anxiety meds, when you feel upset or anxious. It is best not to miss doses if possible. However, if you do miss a dose here or there, it is unlikely that any bad effect on OCD will occur. In fact, sometimes your doctor might tell you to skip doses to help manage troublesome side effects, like sexual problems.
Recommended Reading: Will There Ever Be A Cure For Anxiety
Top Panic Anxiety And Depression Center Reviews
But once youve experienced a depressive episode, you might be much better prepared to avoid a future episode by discovering which way of living changes and also therapies are useful. Its not uncommon for someone with OCD to likewise have depression. Having one anxiety problem can increase your probabilities for having an additional panic anxiety and depression center. As much as 80 percent of individuals with OCD additionally have major depression episodes. Feeling bewildered can aggravate stress and anxiety and also depression symptoms. Establishing borders in your specialist and individual life can aid you feel much better.
- Located that light therapy can boost unfortunate symptoms, usually as much as can pharmaceuticals.
- Imaging studies recommend that individuals with depression have structural adjustments in their minds.
- The fundamental assumption is that a thought precedes a mood consequently, discovering to replace healthy and balanced ideas for adverse ideas will certainly enhance an individuals state of mind, self-concept, habits, and also physical state.
- The real period of therapy depends on your reaction to it.
Special Benzodiazepine Risk Factors
Anyone who takes benzodiazepines can experience unpleasant or dangerous side effects. But certain individuals are at a higher risk:
People over 65. Older adults are more sensitive to the sedating effects of benzodiazepines. Even small doses can cause confusion, amnesia, loss of balance, and cognitive impairment that looks like dementia. Benzodiazepine use in the elderly is associated with an increased risk of falls, broken hips and legs, and car accidents. Long-term benzodiazepine use also increases the risk of Alzheimers disease and dementia.
People with a history of substance abuse. Because theyre physically addicting and on their own and dangerous when combined with alcohol and other drugs, anyone with a current or former substance abuse problem should use benzodiazepines only with extreme caution.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women. Benzodiazepine use during pregnancy can lead to dependence in the developing baby, with withdrawal following birth. Benzodiazepines are also excreted in breast milk. Therefore, pregnant women need to have a thorough discussion about the risks and benefits of these medications with their prescribing doctor. If medication is necessary, the goal is the smallest effective dose.
The connection between benzodiazepines and accidents
Recommended Reading: How Do I Stop An Anxiety Attack
Do Herbal Remedies For Anxiety Really Work
Herbal remedies for anxiety are special plants, or botanicals, that have been shown to be psychotropic. Psychotropic herbs directly interact with our body chemistry so are used to treat various mental disorders, including anxiety. Some people prefer using herbal remedies to get rid of stress and anxiety over prescription anxiety medication, proclaiming that botanicals work just as well as synthetic medication. In determining if the use of plants is right for you, its helpful to learn if herbal anxiety remedies really work.
Effectiveness Of Herbal Anxiety Remedies
Numerous studies on the effectiveness of herbal anxiety treatment have some consistent findings regarding the nature and efficacy of herbs .
- With the exception of an herb known as kava, herbs are not as strong as prescription medication. Common tranquilizers such as Xanax and Klonopin are much stronger than botanicals.
- Unlike their strong prescription counterparts, psychotropic herbs have few side effects.
- Herbals are non-addictive.
- Herbal remedies have been shown to be effective in treating mild- to moderate anxiety but not severe anxiety.
- Herbs interact with body chemistry and thus work for the bodys physical symptoms of anxiety. However, they dont address other aspects of anxiety such as external causes or behaviors. That said, by improving physical and some emotional symptoms of anxiety, botanicals do equip people to deal with other aspects of their anxiety that neither psychotropic herbs nor pharmaceuticals can directly treat.
- As with every other treatment approach to anxiety, herbs work well for some peoples anxiety symptoms but dont work at all for others. You might need to experiment over time to see whether or not herbal remedies help your anxiety.
You May Like: Can I Get Anxiety Medication Online
Which Benzodiazepines Are Used For Anxiety
They can also be used with antidepressants initially while antidepressants take time to work.
“They’re a powerful tool,” says Duckworth, “but you have to be really smart about their use.”
- Light-headedness
- Trouble sleeping
Beta-blockers can be very helpful but in a limited way, says Dr. Salcedo. They are most commonly used for performance anxiety. They are really good for the physical symptoms such as heart racing, sweating, shakiness, but they work less well for the anxious thoughts that might be causing the symptoms.
Additional reporting by Carlene Bauer.
Choosing The Right Medication For You
Anxiety disorders are highly treatable, and with the right type of medication, you can better manage your symptoms and get back to focusing on your life. Because there is no one-size-fits-all approach to anxiety medication, it is vital to work closely with your psychiatrist or doctor when determining what treatment options are best for you. A medical professional can, based on your medical history, help you find the right dose, treatment plan, and note any possible risks or complications of taking medication for anxiety. With the help of a psychiatrist or doctor, you may also need to try several medicines before finding the right one.
After you are prescribed the medication, some substances such as caffeine, cold medicines, illicit drugs, and herbal supplements can exacerbate your symptoms. Continue to work with your psychiatrist to learn more about what substances are safe and which to avoid. Additionally, a medical professional will be able to help you determine how and when a medication should be stopped, as some anxiety medications cannot be stopped abruptly. The key is work closely with your psychiatrist to monitor your anxiety medications effectiveness and continually explore effective therapies.
Also Check: How To Live With Anxiety