Meds That Treat social anxiety treatment near me

Anxiety affects 40 million adults in the United States. It's extremely treatable with various types of medication available.

SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), like Zoloft, Prozac, Lexapro and Effexor, work to alleviate anxiety treatment near me by raising levels of the chemical serotonin in the brain. In contrast to benzodiazepines, they're addictive.

SSRIs

The most commonly used anxiety medications are selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro) and fluoxetine (Prozac). These drugs can also be used to treat depression as well as relieve symptoms of other anxiety disorders such as obsessive compulsive disorder. They can take up to a month before they begin working.

These drugs increase the levels of certain chemical messengers in the brain, including serotonin and norepinephrine. They're typically the first treatment option for anxiety, though doctors also employ other kinds of antidepressants and benzodiazepines.

Antidepressants such as duloxetine, (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine, (Effexor) are also used to treat anxiety. They differ from SSRIs because they decrease norepinephrine, but at a lower level than SSRIs. These medications may take a few days to start taking effects, and they tend to be more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) like imipramine (Tofranil) can be effective in treating certain anxiety disorders, including GAD. Their drowsiness, as well as other adverse effects are what make them less well-liked. Another type of antidepressant, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) can be used to treat anxiety. However, their restrictions on diet and the risk of toxicity limit their usage.

Benzodiazepines are often used to treat panic attacks and anxiety in the short-term for instance, when waiting for SSRIs or SNRIs to begin working. These medications can cause addiction, tolerance, and sedation and withdrawal symptoms such as a depression, anxiety, and delirium. Benzodiazepines are commonly found in alprazolam as well as clonazepam and lorazepam.

Therapy is an important part of an anxiety treatment plan, as it helps you discover more about the symptoms and the root causes. Many people discover that medication and therapy help them to cope. Some studies suggest that cognitive behavior therapy is as effective as anxiety medications. Speak to your doctor to determine what is the best option for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines have a calming effect, reduce anxiety and relax muscles that are tight. They also ease symptoms of bodily arousal due to fear (like heart rate, trembling and shaking) and promote sleep.

The way they function is through binding to inhibitory neurotransmitters, like gamma-aminobutryic acid, or GABA and interacting with receptors in the central nervous system. They enhance GABA's effects by facilitating the inhibitory effects of GABA on other neurotransmitters and decreasing the amount of messages that are sent to the amygdala. It is a part of the brain that evaluates threats and creates a sense of fear.

These drugs can be used for short durations of time like when a panic attack occurs or if you are experiencing extreme anxiety. They can help ease the symptoms within 30 to 90 minutes after taking them. Benzodiazepines are, in contrast to SSRIs don't stay in the body for long. They're quick-acting and can be effective within a few hours. This makes them ideal for situations when quick relief is required (such as during an airplane ride or before a presentation in public).

As they can be addictive, people are usually prescribed up to four weeks at a go. They also lose their effectiveness after a period of time.

One of the reasons why benzodiazepines became so popular is that they worked and had minimal side effects when compared with their predecessors, like meprobamate and barbiturates. They are fast in the start of action and are extremely effective as anxiolytics (anti-anxiety), sedatives and anticonvulsants and as muscle relaxants.

Benzos were blamed for negative attitudes towards anxiety that were developed in the 1970s and 1980s and included the denial of the disorder and the belief that benzodiazepine treatment result in physical dependence. Yet, benzodiazepines continue to play a significant role in the treatment for anxiety disorders, especially when combined with psychosocial interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapies.

Benzos can interact with other medications and cause undesirable side effects, like drowsiness or confusion. It is essential to inform your doctor be aware of any other prescription, non-prescription or herbal treatment for anxiety medications you are taking or thinking about taking. You can determine which medications are safe to take along with benzodiazepines by checking the British National Formulary A-Z list of medication interactions.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants can be effective in treating anxiety and other mental conditions. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, antidepressants -- like SSRIs and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) -- can help reduce chronic anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorders and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The FDA has approved a variety of antidepressants for other health conditions, too, such as eating disorders, certain types of pain, and bipolar disorder.

SSRIs are usually prescribed as a first-line treatment option for anxiety by doctors, but they may not work for all people. If they fail doctors might look at the more traditional antidepressant, known as a tricyclic or tetracyclic antidepressant. These include amitriptyline and nortriptyline as well as clomipramine. They're less common than newer antidepressants, yet they're still readily available. You can also ask your doctor to prescribe the sedating antidepressant, trazodone(Desyrel), at lower doses in case you are experiencing sleep issues or anxiety.

Other antidepressants that may help are the nefazodone (Ferdinand) and duloxetine (Cymbalta). These medications are also available in generic forms. If they don't work, your doctor may try the antipsychotics quetiapine and olanzapine or the tranquilizing antidepressant Mirtazapine.

Other medications for anxiety disorders include beta blockers, which decrease the blood pressure and heart rate by blocking the actions of adrenaline. These drugs aren't commonly used for anxiety alone, but can be helpful when used in conjunction with psychotherapy.

Psychotherapy can help you to alter negative thoughts and behaviors that cause anxiety. It can help you learn to manage your anxiety and develop coping strategies. Based on your specific condition, you might undergo cognitive behavioural therapy or exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioural therapy teaches you to overcome negative and fearful thoughts and to overcome your aversion to situations which trigger anxiety. The process involves increasing the level of anxiety-inducing situations until they can be managed. It can be performed in a group or on your own. In both cases, results can take a while to show. A combination of medications and psychological therapy is the best choice for some people. However, others discover that medications alone are sufficient to treat their symptoms. Discuss with your doctor how you manage your symptoms.

Other Medical Treatments

Other drugs can also aid in relieving your symptoms. Beta blockers and antihistamines are often prescribed to alleviate anxiety.

These drugs correct an imbalance in your brain chemicals and can help ease your symptoms by lowering or blocking signals that cause you stress and fear. But, they're not the only solution. You'll need to continue doing other things to control anxiety treatment groups, such as physical exercise or relaxation techniques, as well as psychotherapy.

SSRIs or SNRIs are the first choice of anxiety medications that your doctor may prescribe. According to research, these drugs are the most effective in treating anxiety in bipolar disorder anxiety disorders. The most commonly used SSRIs include sertraline (Zoloft), fluoxetine (Prozac), citalopram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro). These drugs can cause mild side effects like insomnia and nausea, but these tend to subside within 4-8 weeks. They are not addictive, and they do not increase the likelihood of suicidal thoughts.

The benzodiazepines, alprazolam (Xanax) as well as Clonazepam (Klonopin) and diazepoxide (Valium) provide immediate relief from panic attacks and anxiety, but they can have side effects, including drowsiness, dizziness, memory and coordination issues, and dependence. They're a less popular choice than the older barbiturates, however, they're equally effective.

Antihistamines such as Vistaril (hydroxyzine) were originally created to treat allergies. However, they are also used to alleviate anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine block histamine receptors within the brain and may cause the body to relax. It's not a controlled drug and therefore doesn't carry the same risks of addiction as benzodiazepines.

Another type of medication that may help with anxiety is a class of medications known as anticonvulsants, which have been shown to ease anxiety by inhibiting the production and release of dopamine and serotonin. These medications may be prescribed as part of a combination therapy or used to treat anxiety in the short-term. Your doctor will evaluate your symptoms and health history to determine whether these medications are right for you. They'll also talk about how long you should take them for and any potential side effects. Anxiety medication is only available on prescription, which means you'll need to see a psychiatrist to get them.