A type of drugs which may reduce anxiety and excitement
Understanding anxietyNot everyone who has anxiety needs medication. Anxiety is complex. If you have anxiety, your doctor or healthcare provider will need to ask detailed questions about what you are experiencing. Show The first step to treating anxiety is usually understanding what it is, how it affects you and if possible making lifestyle changes. Your doctor or a therapist may also use psychological therapy. Your doctor might refer you to a psychologist for cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which is a type of psychological therapy that can help you change your thoughts and behaviours, or other types of psychological therapies. If your anxiety is moderate or severe, or you do not feel better with psychological therapy, your doctor might also prescribe medications. Types of anxiety medicationsMedications for anxiety include antidepressants and benzodiazepines. These correct an imbalance of chemicals in the brain that causes anxiety. AntidepressantsThere are several kinds of antidepressants, but the ones most commonly used to treat anxiety are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). These medicines increase the level of certain chemicals in your brain that can affect your mood. Most people who take antidepressants will be advised to take them for at least 12 months, if they are tolerating them well. BenzodiazepinesBenzodiazepines, also known as sedatives, are usually only used to reduce anxiety for a short term (less than a month, and the shorter the safer) as they are addictive. Benzodiazepines are sometimes prescribed to assist sleep. Important information about anxiety medicationMedication often takes longer to treat anxiety than it does to treat depression. It might take several weeks for the medication to take effect. Studies show that anxiety medication works better if someone also has therapy. Anxiety medication can cause side effects in some people. These may include:
These side effects normally fade away, but if you are experiencing side effects from anxiety, always tell your doctor as they may be able to help. Some antidepressants can cause a harmful reaction when taken with certain other medications. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before you take any other medications, including sleeping pills and painkillers. Take your anxiety medication as prescribed. Do not adjust doses on your own without consulting your doctor. Don’t drink alcohol while taking anti-anxiety medication. If you are not sure about taking medications to treat anxiety, ask your doctor about the following:
Looking for more medicine information?healthdirect’s medicines section allows you to search for medicines by brand name or active ingredient. It provides useful information about medicines such as their use, whether they are available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and product recalls. Beta-blockers are a group of drugs that can treat high blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms, chest pain, and some other heart health issues. They may also help treat anxiety. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have not approved beta-blockers for the treatment of anxiety. However, these drugs change how the body responds to epinephrine, which may help relieve some of the symptoms of anxiety. Some doctors prescribe beta-blockers on an off-label basis to help people for whom other anxiety medications are unsafe or ineffective. Self-medication with beta-blockers is also increasingly popular, but it is not safe. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), phobias, and panic disorder are serious medical conditions that require competent medical treatment. While beta-blockers might be appropriate for some cases of anxiety, self-medication is a dangerous strategy that may cause serious side effects. Read on to learn more about how beta-blockers help treat anxiety, their effectiveness, and whether they have any risks. Some doctors refer to beta-blockers as beta-adrenoceptor antagonists because these drugs block the effects of epinephrine, or adrenaline, on beta receptors. Epinephrine is a hormone and neurotransmitter that plays a vital role in the body’s fight-or-flight response, which can lead to anxiety. Reducing the effects of epinephrine on the body may also reduce the intensity of anxiety. Beta-blockers treat heart conditions by dilating the blood vessels and lowering blood pressure. They can also help regulate and slow the heart rate. Many people who experience anxiety report a racing heart or higher blood pressure. By changing the way in which the body responds to anxiety, beta-blockers may reduce the intensity of the symptoms and lessen the physical effects. Emerging research suggests that some beta-blockers may also change how the body recalls and responds to fearful memories. This finding suggests that the drug could treat PTSD and phobias, but more research is necessary to confirm this use. Beta-blockers work differently than traditional anti-anxiety medications, making them a viable alternative for people who need rapid relief. These medications may be beneficial because they:
A range of other drugs can treat anxiety. Doctors frequently prescribe a group of drugs called benzodiazepines, which include alprazolam (Xanax). With benzodiazepines, however, there is a high risk of dependence. Used alongside alcohol and opioid drugs, they can produce life-threatening adverse effects. They may also cause drowsiness. Some antidepressants, including a group of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), can also help ease the chronic anxiety of generalized anxiety disorder and PTSD. However, these medications can take several weeks to work. They may also not work as well for acute short term anxiety, which phobias and public speaking can trigger in some people. Research generally finds that although the FDA have not approved beta-blockers for treating anxiety, these drugs are effective in reducing many of its physical effects. The authors of a 2015 analysis emphasized that beta-blockers are less effective in treating psychological symptoms of anxiety and primarily work by treating physical symptoms, such as rapid heart rate and tremor. A 2016 meta-analysis compared a beta-blocker called propranolol with benzodiazepines, a popular first-line treatment for anxiety. The authors found that both types of drug could treat panic disorder and agoraphobia, but propranolol did not perform better than benzodiazepines. This finding suggests that there is no reason to try beta-blockers before benzodiazepines in most people. The same analysis found that propranolol did not improve PTSD symptoms. In contrast with some earlier research, the analysis did not find that the drug changed how the brain manages traumatic memories. The authors of a 2015 study concluded that a single dose of propranolol following exposure to a tarantula could relieve symptoms of spider phobia for at least a year after this treatment. The authors suggest that this may be because propranolol changes the way in which the brain manages fearful memories. While the results are promising, the study sample was small. Many types of beta-blocker are available in the United States. All beta-blockers work by changing the response of beta receptors to epinephrine, but there are two distinct types:
Possible side effects of beta-blockers include:
As with any medication, it is possible to have a dangerous allergic reaction to beta-blockers. A person should go to the emergency room if they experience difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness, or other sudden severe symptoms. It is important to note that not everyone experiences all or any of the possible side effects. Taking a beta-blocker without a prescription increases a person’s risk of taking the wrong dosage or using the drug for a condition that it cannot treat. Some other risks of self-medication include:
Beta-blockers are not safe for people with cardiogenic shock, bronchial asthma, certain types of heart blockage, and sinus bradycardia. They may also reduce the symptoms of hypoglycemia in people with diabetes, making it difficult to determine the right insulin dosage. Beta-blockers may also cause dangerously low blood pressure in people who already have hypotension. Some people feel embarrassed about their anxiety and are reluctant to seek help. It is important to remember that anxiety is a medical condition, not a personal failing. A knowledgeable doctor will ask about a person’s symptoms, diagnose the anxiety, and offer a range of treatment options. People who do not get relief from benzodiazepines or other drugs should ask for alternatives. They may need to change the dosage, switch medications, or try a beta-blocker. Some questions to consider asking the doctor include:
A person will need to tell a doctor about any drugs that they take, including supplements, alcohol, and illicit or recreational drugs. It is also important to discuss all medical issues because certain conditions — such as very low blood pressure — may make beta-blockers unsafe. Beta-blockers may offer hope to people who have found other medications ineffective in relieving their anxiety. These medications can also improve performance in people who feel overwhelmed by short term anxiety, such as when speaking in public. For people with phobias, beta-blockers may make it possible to do things that were once terrifying. The promise of life with less anxiety is compelling. However, no drug is free of risks. It is never safe to use a prescription drug without first consulting a doctor. People who experience anxiety need a medical diagnosis that rules out other causes, such as other mental health conditions or a heart defect. They should talk to a doctor about treatment options and ask specifically about beta-blockers if these are of interest. What drugs are used to reduce anxiety?The most prominent of anti-anxiety drugs for the purpose of immediate relief are those known as benzodiazepines; among them are alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), diazepam (Valium), and lorazepam (Ativan).
What helps stress and anxiety?Things you can try to help with anxiety, fear and panic. try talking about your feelings to a friend, family member, health professional or counsellor. ... . use calming breathing exercises.. exercise – activities such as running, walking, swimming and yoga can help you relax.. |
