Ask Why They Recommend A Specific Medication And If Other Options Are Available
Some doctors may have a specific medication they start most of their anxiety patients on because they feel it has the highest effectiveness with the fewest side effects.
Other doctors may take a variety of factors into consideration before recommending a specific medication.
Always ask your doctor why they recommend the medication they did and if other options might be more appropriate for you.
Can You Treat Anxiety Online
Yes, anxiety can be diagnosed and treated online by PlushCares top doctors. During your video consultation with a doctor you will discuss your symptoms, medical history and any current medications you take. Together you and the doctor will create a comprehensive treatment plan, including necessary prescriptions that are not classified as a controlled substance. Our top online therapists can also help treat anxiety online via virtual therapy sessions.
What Are Mood Stabilizers
Mood stabilizers are used primarily to treat bipolar disorder, mood swings associated with other mental disorders, and in some cases, to augment the effect of other medications used to treat depression. Lithium, which is aneffective mood stabilizer, is approved for the treatment of mania and the maintenance treatment of bipolar disorder. A number of cohort studies describe anti-suicide benefits of lithium for individuals on long-term maintenance. Mood stabilizers work by decreasing abnormal activity in the brain and are also sometimes used to treat:
- Depression
- Schizoaffective Disorder
- Hair loss
These medications may also:
- Cause damage to the liver or pancreas, so people taking it should see their doctors regularly
- Increase testosterone levels in teenage girls and lead to a condition called polycystic ovarian syndrome
Medications for common adult health problems, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, anxiety, and depression may interact badly with anticonvulsants. In this case, a doctor can offer other medication options.
For more information about the risks and side effects for each medication, please see .
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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!
Anxiety Medications: Types Effects And Precautions
Medically Reviewed By: Whitney White, MS. CMHC, NCC., LPC
Anxiety affects nearly 20% of the population, making it the most common type of mental illness. There’s nothing wrong with feeling anxious from time to time. In a busy, fast-paced world, anxiety is hard to escape completely. If you have anxiety often that just won’t go away, it can become a significant problem. Anxiety medications can help, but how do you know when, if, and what kind you need? The first step is understanding your options.
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Can You Be Treated For Anxiety
To know if you can be treated for anxiety, you must first understand what it means to have this disorder. Its possible you may not even realize you have it but find yourself unknowingly having symptoms. This leads to people living their lives as they would, but with the added burden of dealing with anxiety as a regular thing. They will go about their day as usual, and at any particular moment, their anxiety might kick in. Instead of considering treatment, they will just learn to live with it.
How one reaches a point of anxiety tends to come from past experiences that have since become traumatic. If a person had even one terrible experience with speaking in front of a crowd, it could convince them for life to never do it again. All subsequent moments where they might be faced to perform public speaking again will result in their anxiety coming out this can result in a panic attack, or their body might just shut down out of fright.
Each Medication Works In A Unique Way
The most common types of medications that treat anxiety are benzodiazepines , beta blockers like propranolol and atenolol , and antidepressants (especially selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs, which include brand names like Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Lexapro, Celexa, and others.
These medications all work in unique ways and have different effects on each individual, so there are no definitive answers for what type of medication will work best for a person our experts agree that its all about communicating with your doctor, whether youre starting medication or stopping it.
“A good general rule to know with psychiatric medications is that some medications take time to build up and work around the clock, and other medications, work on an as-needed basis,” psychiatrist Dr. Alex Dimitriu told INSIDER.
He added, “SSRIs, like Lexapro or Prozac, take weeks to start working, but generally improve mood and anxiety around the clock, once they work. Other medications, like beta blockers or benzodiazepines, work on an as-needed basis, and can often be habit forming. A good marker that anxiety is improving, is a reduced need to use these as needed medications.”
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You’ve Been Feeling It Physically
Anxiety can truly take a toll on your physical health, often causing all sorts of painful and annoying symptoms. Think along the lines of nausea, stomachaches, headaches, and even heart palpitations. When it reaches this level, psychologist Dr. Joshua Klapow recommends thinking about medication. If you find the right treatment, it can offer some much-needed relief.
Primary Advantages Of Anxiety Medication Online
In controlled studies, anxiety medication has demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of generalised anxiety disorder, social phobia and panic disorder, with or without agoraphobia. In general, benzodiazepines are well tolerated and include the following advantages:
- A reduction in the psychogenic symptoms of anxiety, like difficulty concentrating and feelings of irritability.
- A reduction in the physical symptoms of anxiety, like restlessness, muscle tension, panic attacks and sleeping difficulties.
- Fast-acting effects and almost immediate relief from anxiety which can give a person the opportunity to complete essential tasks, such as travelling in a plane.
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Do I Need This Treatment
A certain amount of anxiety or insomnia is a normal reaction to what is happening in your life. You may worry or feel stressed, and sometimes these feelings can keep you up at night. Most often, these feelings pass and are not a problem. However, these feelings can become a problem when they continue over a longer term, cause severe distress, make you feel physically ill and affect your behaviour. This kind of anxiety may be triggered by a challenging life event. It can also be a symptom of a mental health problem.
The ability to fall asleep and to sleep through the night can be affected by many types of health problems. These include physical conditions that cause pain or trouble breathing, as well as mental health problems. When sleep is disrupted, health can be further affected.
While each situation is unique and different treatment approaches may be called for, benzodiazepines can help to provide relief.
Drugs For Anxiety In San Francisco
In addition to traditional forms of therapy, its popular for patients to seek medication for their anxiety disorders. The medication also makes it easier for more people to take care of any anxiety issues they may be having. There are also many brands in the market, so the options for what type of anti-anxiety drugs to choose from is extensive. At the same time, its vital to understand that all drugs for treating anxiety are different in terms of their chemical makeup. While one brand might work well for some, it may be ineffective or harmful for others. Keep this in mind when consulting with your physician about which drugs are best for you.
The two most well-known types of medication for anxiety are:
These two drug types are designed to influence your neurotransmitters so that your body and mind can better relax. Both antidepressants and benzodiazepines have a set of drugs that fall under them and are relatively easy to get with the help of a doctors prescription.
Antidepressants include:
While these drugs offer similar results, due to their different chemical makeup, their effectiveness can vary, as well as how long they can last.
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Take An Online Anxiety Test
If you suspect that you are struggling with anxiety, but are unsure if you have an actual anxiety disorder, there are several actions you can take before making an appointment with your doctor or starting a course of anti-anxiety medication.
- It is important to try to speak to someone about your anxiety. It could be a trusted friend, a member of your family or a specialist helpline, but talking to someone is always better than suffering in silence.
- Some form of physical activity such walking, running, and swimming are great for clearing the mind of problems, and can help to relax.
- Improve sleep hygiene to improve the quality and length of sleep
- Large projects or tasks are less stressful when broken into smaller more manageable pieces
- Relaxation and mindfulness apps are becoming popular ways to slow down thought processes and reduce stress
However, if you looking for a more immediate assessment to help decide if anxiety treatment is needed, there are some simple online tests that can be completed in minutes that will guide you towards dealing with your problem.
Can You Ask A Doctor For A Specific Medication
Yes, it never hurts to ask your doctor if they think a specific medication would help you. Explain how you heard of it, and why you think it may help your anxiety. That said, the doctor may decide not to prescribe you that medication.
You should be open to the idea that a medication that youve heard of or that you know works for somebody else may not be the right choice for you.
Have an open discussion with your doctor about the risks, benefits, and potential side effects of any medication youâre considering and listen to the doctors suggestions carefully.
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Treating Children And Adolescents
Whereas specific phobias, SAD, and separation anxiety disorder are common in younger people, PDA and GAD are relatively rare. There are some randomized, placebo-controlled studies of pharmacotherapy for anxiety disorders in children and adolescents showing efficacy of sertraline, fluoxetine, and duloxetine in young patients with GAD, of venlafaxine and paroxetine in SAD, and of sertraline, fluvoxamine, and fluoxetine in mixed samples, including patients with separation anxiety disorder, GAD, and SAD. However, little is known about the value of long-term treatment. The combination of CBT and sertraline was found to be more effective than both treatment modalities alone.
For children and youths with separation anxiety disorder, several treatment studies exist. However, no controlled studies on the treatment of adults with this disorder could be traced.
There is also a paucity of treatment studies for children with selective mutism. Small studies have shown that psychotherapeutic approaches were at least better than waitlist controls., One review indicated that only two very small placebo-controlled drug studies showed efficacy of the SSRIs fluoxetine and sertraline.
It’s Affecting Your Ability To Function
If you can no longer make it to work or school due your anxiety, or if you’ve been canceling plans with friends, take note. As Klapow says, “someone who is having a hard time with their day-to-day activities ,” should consider medication. It â along with therapy and taking great care of yourself â can help get you back on your feet and feeling functional again.
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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
What Causes Panic And Fear
Tackling anxiety disorder means getting to the root of what causes ones panic, fear, or insecurities. Therapists work with the patient to understand where the problems are coming from, be they a current work situation, relationships, or past experiences. Sometimes the patient will have to look deep enough within themselves to the point where they relive a traumatic moment. These forms of therapy can differ in their methods and results, but they all exist intending to help the patient finally break free of their anxiety.
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Natural Remedies For Anxiety
Natural remedies for anxiety are those that donât involve conventional medications . They include things such as herbs, aromatherapy, and performing certain actions that promote relaxation. Some people with anxiety use natural remedies alongside conventional treatments to find relief.
Examples of natural remedies for anxiety include:
Exercise isnât just good for your physical health itâs also beneficial for your mental health. While the connection isnât well understood, studies do show that exercise can help to alleviate symptoms of anxiety.
Getting active helps to take your mind off of the issues bothering you. It also triggers your body to release endorphins, which are natural feel-good hormones.
Herbal Remedies
Several different herbs and herbal supplements may help alleviate anxiety symptoms, helping you to relax and feel calmer. Some of the more well-known varieties include:
Studies show that chamomile can help with symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder. While many of the studies on herbal supplements for anxiety are limited, the results are promising.
You can find many of these supplements in capsule form. Many people also drink herbal teas to help them relax.
Aromatherapy involves the use of essential oils to improve health and overall well-being. Many scents can help to boost your mood, help you relax, and reduce anxiety.
Scents to use for anxiety include:
- Lavender