Medications For Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety is a normal reaction to danger, the body’s automatic fight-or-flight response that’s triggered when you feel threatened or are faced with a difficult situation. But if anxiety becomes constant or overwhelming, it’s time to seek help.

Anxiety disorders can make life difficult for people, especially those who don’t have the right treatments. They may also cause health problems and even suicide.

Some people have a higher risk for developing an anxiety disorder, so it’s important to talk to your doctor about this. Some things you can do to reduce your risk include avoiding alcohol or other drugs, exercising regularly, and lowering your stress levels.

There are several types of antianxiety medications, including benzodiazepines for short-term symptom relief, and modern antidepressants that alter brain chemistry. Your doctor or psychiatrist will recommend which type of medication is best for you.

SSRIs and SNRIs, like fluoxetine (Prozac) or duloxetine (Cymbalta), are typically the first medicines prescribed. They work by changing how your brain metabolizes chemicals that control your mood, including serotonin and norepinephrine.

They can also be used for long-term treatment to help you cope with the symptoms of anxiety and prevent them from coming back. Other common drugs for anxiety disorders are tricyclics and monoamine oxidase inhibitors, which are less commonly prescribed.

Another type of medicine is bupropion, which can be taken in combination with SSRIs or SNRIs to treat more severe forms of anxiety. It can also be given by itself to treat milder anxiety.

The medication you take to treat your anxiety disorder is a vital part of your treatment plan. It can improve the quality of your life by helping you manage your stress and change your thinking patterns so you don’t have negative thoughts about yourself or other people.

Some types of anxiety disorders are treated with medication alone, while others need to be combined with psychotherapy. The best medication is the one that’s right for you, and it may require a trial and error approach before you find the best fit.

Anxiety is often accompanied by physical symptoms that can make you uncomfortable, including a racing heart, sweating, and trembling. Other symptoms can be more serious, such as chest pains and shortness of breath.

A medical exam is essential to diagnose anxiety. Your doctor can check for any conditions that can aggravate the symptoms of anxiety, such as thyroid problems, high blood pressure or heart arrhythmias.

Other factors that can lead to anxiety disorders are life experiences such as traumatic events and inherited traits. It’s common for children who have been abused or suffered other kinds of traumatic events to develop anxiety disorders later in life.

The causes of anxiety aren’t fully understood, but researchers know that some life experiences and a person’s genetic vulnerability interact to produce clinically significant syndromes.

Some medications used to treat anxiety can be dangerous or have side effects that make them unsafe. It’s important to talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of each drug so you can choose one that is right for you.