Treating Anxiety Symptoms With Medication

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Treating Anxiety Symptoms With Medication

Having anxiety is normal, but when it becomes a problem, it can be disabling. People with anxiety disorders are not able to cope with their feelings and may even become depressed. They may need to undergo psychotherapy and medication to help them manage their anxiety.

Anxiety disorders are characterized by excessive worry and fear about ordinary life events. They occur more frequently in women than men. The causes of anxiety disorders are not entirely known, but research suggests that a number of factors contribute to their development. Some of the factors include hormones, certain personality traits, and stressful events. A person who has had a traumatic event or a family history of anxiety is also at higher risk.

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a condition that causes a person to worry excessively about everyday situations. Some people with GAD may experience intense panic attacks, which are sudden attacks of intense fear that last for minutes to several hours. Symptoms of GAD include irritability, difficulty concentrating, muscle tension, restlessness, fatigue, and headaches. Some people with GAD may also experience insomnia.

In addition, anxiety disorders are often inherited. Women are more likely to suffer from them, and their hormones may play a role. Women are also less likely to seek treatment. Medications and psychotherapy are often used to treat anxiety disorders, as well as patient support groups.

Medications can help manage anxiety symptoms, but they may take several weeks or months to reach their full effect. They may help reduce tensions related to fearful situations, improve sleep, and enhance learning.

A variety of FDA-approved medications are available to help treat anxiety disorders. These medications work by changing neurotransmitters that are associated with fear. Some medications work to reduce anticipatory anxiety, and others are used to treat panic disorders. In some cases, a combination of medications may be more effective.

A patient may take a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, which helps treat panic disorder, or a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), which works to treat social anxiety. Some SSRIs, including sertraline, may also be effective for generalized anxiety. However, there is no evidence that tricyclic antidepressants are effective for OCD. Atypical antipsychotics may help with tics and Tourette’s syndrome.

Benzodiazepines can be used to treat phobias. If a person is having a panic attack, he or she should not try to escape or run away. Instead, the person should acknowledge the feelings of fear. If the person is able to stay calm, the person can take a lower dose of the benzodiazepine before being exposed to the feared object or situation. The doctor may also prescribe a higher dose if the person experiences an attack again.

Talk therapy is sometimes used to help patients deal with anxiety. In this type of therapy, a clinician will guide the patient through a series of steps, including relaxing, gradually approaching the feared situation, and taking small steps in a controlled manner.

Some women also find meditation or yoga helpful. Exercise can also help to relieve anxiety and reduce stress. Exercise can also help to produce neurotransmitters called endorphins, which are the body’s natural pain relievers.