How To Get Prescribed Anti Anxiety Medication

With All These Options How Can You Choose

Your doctor can recommend the best medication to help control your anxiety. There are different types of anxiety disorders, so different medications may be better choices for your type. Your doctor will also consider your other health conditions and medications, and whether you have a family history of responding better to a certain medication. Since you might be taking medication long-term, you may want to factor in affordability.

How Do I Know If I Have An Anxiety Disorder

The APA describes a person with an anxiety disorder as having recurring intrusivethoughts or concerns. In order for anxiety to be considered disordered it must interfere with daily life anddisrupt or prevent your usual flow of activities. Take our anxiety quiz here to learn what your first step towards anxietytreatment should be.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment For Anxiety And Addiction

At Legacy Healings detox and rehab center, we provide a dual diagnosis program for anxiety and addiction that incorporates prescription drug rehab with mental health care in one integrated program. The underlying issues that cause addiction and the underlying problems that cause anxiety are often the same. Other times, the addiction can be making you anxious, or you may be self-medicating for your anxiety by abusing drugs or alcohol. Addiction and mental illness are interconnected, and a dual diagnosis program at Legacy will help you deal with everything at one time to move on with your life with control over your mental and physical health.

Contact us at today to learn more about our medical detox program, dual diagnosis, and how to stop using benzodiazepine anti-anxiety medications safely and effectively.

Find out how you can get off of anti-anxiety medication at Legacy! #antianxietymedication

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What Are Some Symptoms Of Anxiety

Racing thoughts, sweaty palms and an elevated heartbeat. These symptoms might be normal before a first date or giant presentation, but if you regularly feel these symptoms, you may be experiencing anxiety.

The following are common anxiety symptoms:

• Physical tension, specifically in your muscles

• Difficulty sleeping, whether its staying asleep or falling asleep

The above mentioned symptoms all fall under the umbrella of generalized anxiety disorder.

These symptoms are the most common manifestations of anxiety, and if they show up in your life, their acuity and frequency should be carefully monitored.

What To Know Before Starting Or Stopping An Anti

When taken as prescribed, anti-anxiety medications are generally safe.

If youre thinking about discontinuing an anti-anxiety medication, its important to check in with your doctor first. Most of these medications need to be tapered off slowly, rather than stopping all at once.

Everyones body will react differently to the tapering process. During this process, you might still experience symptoms like:

• digestive issues
• problems with balance

These symptoms are usually short-lived, but it can be helpful to know what to expect. Its key to take your medications as prescribed and check with your doctor before making any changes.

Some medications can cause your body to become dependent. This means that stopping them especially without tapering off can lead to withdrawal symptoms such as:

• nausea and vomiting

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Drugs Commonly Prescribed For Anxiety

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health problem in the United States. More than 40 million Americans live with one. This kind of anxiety is more than the usual temporary anxiety problems we all experience. Anxiety disorders are persistent anxiety that interferes with daily living and relationships. Fortunately, anxiety treatment is often effective in helping people reclaim full, healthy lives.

When doctors diagnose an anxiety disorder, they typically recommend cognitive behavior therapy and medication. The combination of these two types of treatment is usually the most effective approach to managing an anxiety disorder. Drugs for anxiety work to relieve symptoms, such as nervousness, panic and . CBT helps you understand and address the root of anxiety. With time, CBT can give long-term control over anxiety symptoms.

Managing An Anxiety Disorder

• Need More Information?

Anxiety disorders are the most common of mental disorders and affect more than 25 million Americans. Anxiety disorders are more than normal feelings of nervousness or anxiousness they involve excessive fear or anxiety. However, there are several effective treatments available that can help most people lead normal productive lives.

Anxiety disorders can cause people to avoid situations that trigger or make their symptoms worse. In general, for a person to be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, the fear or anxiety must be out of proportion to the situation, last longer than six months, and hinder the ability to function normally. For more information about Anxiety Disorders, see the NC Health Info page on Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder and Depression.

Anxiety disorders can be treated by a wide range of mental health professionals, including psychologists, psychiatrists, clinical social workers, psychiatric nurses, and licensed professional counselors. You may need to visit with several different providers before you find the right match. A good relationship with your mental health provider will help you get the most out of your treatment.

You can use your health insurance plans directory to find a mental health provider in your network. If you have Medicare, you can use the Physician Compare directory from Medicare.gov to find a provider that accepts it. Other directories for specific types of providers are listed below.

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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 ithas 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 moreappropriate for you.

How To Ask Your Doctor For Anxiety Medication

Theres no best anti-anxiety medication for every person and anxiety disorder. If you think that you have an anxiety disorder and are wondering how to start the conversation with your healthcare provider, relax.

Tell them your symptoms and they will work alongside you to recommend a medication thats best suited to your needs and general health.

If youre prescribed any type of anti-anxiety medication, use it exactly as prescribed and stay in touch with your healthcare provider to keep them informed about your treatment.

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What To Try Before You Give Your Child Medications

It is understandable that as parents you might not want to have your child take a medication that will affect their brain and their state of mind. It seems possible that a medication might change the natural course of a childs development.

Before you seek medical help, there are a few things that you can try at home to help your child with their anxiety.

The first thing to do is to support your child lovingly when they are anxious. You can help your child become comfortable with their anxieties and work their way through them.

Another thing you can do is help your child become more confident around the things that they are scared ot. Without forcing them in any way to confront the things they are scared of, you can support them as you slowly give them safe experiences with the things of which they are afraid.

However, if you find that you are unable to help your child reduce their anxieties then the time has come to seek medical help. And indeed, you doctor might prescribe medications for your child. Lets look now at the medications that are used to treat childhood anxiety disorders.

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.

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How Much Does Online Therapy Cost

The prices vary by company, but typically online therapy services charge a monthly fee to use the service, and donât charge by minute or hour or text. For instance,BetterHelp , one of the bigger names in the industry, charges a flat fee of between $40-$70 per week, including all messaging, chats, phone, and video sessions.

These memberships tend to be quite flexible, and allow you to quit at any time.

Most online counseling is not covered by insurance, so while its cheaper than in-person therapists, you will typically have to pay out of pocket.

What Can I Take Over The Counter For Anxiety

There are no over the counter medications for anxiety disorders. However, there are some natural supplements and herbal remedies you can take to help deal with some feelings of anxiety from time to time. Always talk to your doctor before beginning new natural anxiety treatments.

Some of these drug-store fixes for anxiety include:

• Chamomile. Chamomile tea, or a chamomile supplement can have relaxing effects on your system, and potentially combat some side effects of anxiety.
• Essential oils. Using a diffuser, you can inhale essential oils, which have also been proven to provide some level of anxiety relief. Some essential oils that can be used for aromatherapy for anxiety include:

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What Are The Treatments For Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Medication for Anxiety

Medication is useful for alleviating the symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder and is often prescribed in conjunction with other therapies. Some types of anxiety drugs can be habit-forming and are usually prescribed on a short-term or as-needed basis.

Different anxiety disorders have different medication regimens. Some are preventive and some are designed to cure the problem.

Antidepressants, particularly the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors , are widely used to treat and prevent a variety of anxiety disorders. Examples of SSRIs that are commonly used to treat chronic anxiety include citalopram , escitalopram , fluoxetine , paroxetine , and sertraline . The antidepressantsduloxetine and venlafaxine , SNRIs which act on the brain chemicals serotonin and norephinephrine, and some of the tricyclic antidepressants like imipramine , may also help. Novel antidepressants such as mirtazepine are also prescribed at times.Ã

Another anti-anxiety drug is busprirone . It has fewer side effects than the benzodiazepines and is not associated with dependence. Buspar, however, can have its own side effects and may not always be as effective when a person has taken benzodiazepines in the past.

Therapy for Anxiety

Psychotherapy, with or without medication, is often considered a fundamental aspect of treatment for generalized anxiety disorder.

Lifestyle Modifications to Alleviate Anxiety

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Are There Any Nonmedication Ways To Help With Anxiety

Besides medications, there are different approaches to helping treat symptoms linked with anxiety. Therapy and lifestyle changes are two helpful options that dont involve medications.

Cognitive behavioral therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on working with a person who experiences anxiety. It teaches different ways to approach fears and certain social situations. This may also include different relaxation exercises to practice at home.

Lifestyle changes

Caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine can all cause or raise your levels of anxiety. It may be helpful to lower your intake of these substances or avoid them altogether to help control symptoms.

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How To Get Prescribed Anxiety Medication

Anxiety medication can be prescribed by a qualified healthcare provider who is trained in medicine and pharmacology. These medications are often prescribed by psychiatrists, but other doctors, like family medicine doctors, internal medicine doctors, and OBGYNs, may also prescribe them. If you already have a healthcare provider, you can ask them if they are able to prescribe you anxiety medication or if they can provide you with a referral.

You can usually get a prescription for anxiety medication from the following doctors:

People Who Are Pregnant Or Who May Become Pregnant

Researchers are continuing to investigate the use of mental health medications during pregnancy. The risks associated with taking medication during pregnancy depend on the type of medication and the stage of pregnancy. While no medication is considered universally safe during pregnancy, untreated mental disorders can also pose risks to the pregnant person and the developing fetus.

Pregnant people and health care providers can work together to develop a personalized treatment plan that considers individual needs and circumstances. It is important to weigh the benefits and risks associated with all available treatment options, including psychotherapies, medications, brain stimulation therapies, or a combination of these options. Health care providers may closely monitor a persons physical and mental health throughout pregnancy and, after delivery, pay particular attention to signs of perinatal or postpartum depression.

Certain medications taken during pregnancyincluding some benzodiazepines, mood stabilizers, and antipsychotic medicationshave been linked with birth defects, but the risks vary widely and depend on the specific medication.

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Is Anxiety Medication Available Over The Counter

No. Anxiety medications are only available by prescription after consultation and evaluation with a doctor.Book an appointment with a PlushCare doctor for evaluation and diagnosis, and to discuss a treatment plan foryour anxiety. If our doctors think that you may benefit from a prescription after an online medical evaluation,they will electronically send one to the pharmacy of your choice. They can also assist with referrals forpsychotherapy.

Drug Dependence And Withdrawal

When taken regularly, benzodiazepines lead to physical dependence and tolerance, with increasingly larger doses needed to get the same anxiety relief as before. This happens quicklyusually within a couple of months, but sometimes in as little as a few weeks.

If you abruptly stop taking your medication, you may experience severe withdrawal symptoms such as:

• Increased anxiety, restlessness, shaking.
• Depression, confusion, panic attacks.
• Pounding heart, sweating, and in severe cases, seizure.

Many people mistake withdrawal symptoms for a return of their original anxiety condition, making them think they need to restart the medication. Gradually tapering off the drug will help minimize the withdrawal reaction.

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Licensed Clinical Social Workers

Licensed clinical social workers can diagnose mental illnesses and be involved in direct therapy with patients in private practice or they might be part of a team conducting research for a university, hospital, or private organization. They sometimes work as case managers helping people solve problems and connecting them to various resources. Most LCSW programs require thousands of hours of direct clinical experience. In North Carolina, LCSWs must be licensed by the state. Use the HelpPRO Advanced Search to find a LCSW. Choose Anxiety/Panic Disorders from the Specializes in this concern dropdown and Social Worker, Licensed Clinical under the Holds this credential, certification, or has completed training in dropdown. This directory provides a good deal of information about individual LCSWs but does not include license status. To review a LCSWs license, use the License Lookup from the North Carolina Social Work Certification and Licensure Board. Choose Licensed Clinical Social Worker from the Certification dropdown.

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Who Can Prescribe Anti

In general, any physician or psychiatrist can prescribe anti-anxiety medication.

However, you must see a doctor in person for anxiety medications that are classified as controlled substances. Online doctors cannot prescribe benzodiazepines, such as Xanax.

That said, online doctors can prescribe antidepressants, which are the first line of treatment for anxiety and have been proven to be highly effective. They also have less side effects and risk factors than benzodiazepines.

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Other Treatments For Depression

Other treatments for depression include talking therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy .

People with moderate to severe depression are usually treated using a combination of antidepressants and CBT. Antidepressants work quickly in reducing symptoms, whereas CBT takes time to deal with causes of depression and ways of overcoming it.

Regular exercise has also been shown to be useful for those with mild depression.

Read more about alternatives to antidepressants.

You Wont Need To Visit A Pharmacy

Perhaps the best part about getting anti-anxiety medication online is that you dont ever need to leave the house, even to pick up your prescription. Once you complete your medical assessment and your provider creates a treatment plan for you, theyll send your prescription straight to your home.

This makes it super convenient if you live in a rural location without close access to healthcare or a pharmacy. Within a short amount of time, youll have access to the medication you need to help you start feeling better.

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Ssri Side Effects And Safety

Like other medications used to treat anxiety, SSRIs do have certain downsides. The first is that they can often cause side effects, ranging from mild to severe.

The second is that they can, for some people, cause physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms.

Side effects are quite common with antidepressants. While SSRIs have a lower risk of causing side effects than many older antidepressants, some people who use SSRIs will experience side effects after starting treatment.

According to an article published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology, common side effects of SSRIs include:

• Increased sweating

Weve provided more information about the sexual side effects listed above in our full guide to antidepressants and sexual side effects.

Your risk of experiencing side effects can vary based on a range of factors, including the specific type of SSRI youre prescribed. For example, according to an article published in The Mental Health Cliniciansome SSRIs, such as paroxetine , are more likely to cause sexual side effects than others.

Many side effects from SSRIs develop during the first few weeks of treatment. If you experience persistent side effects after using an SSRI for several months, its best to talk to your healthcare provider. They may be able to suggest a different medication thats better suited to you.

This is referred to as antidepressant discontinuation syndrome.

• Flu-like symptoms