Q: Do Anxiety Medications Produce The Same Results For Everyone
A: Unfortunately, a particular anxiety medication may produce very different results in different people. A medication that works fine for Person A may not work for Person B else. Or, Person B may need to combine it with another medication to enjoy the benefits. The fact is, mental health professionals do not know why a particular drug will work for one person but will not work for another.
I Need Relief And I Need It Now
So where does that leave you if you’re suffering? Even when anxiety relief comes with side effects and dangers, that can still sound like a fair trade when panic and fear are ruling your life.
The bottom line is that there’s a time and place for anxiety medication. If you have severe anxiety that’s interfering with your ability to function, medication may be helpfulespecially as a short-term treatment. However, many people use anti-anxiety medication when therapy, exercise, or other self-help strategies would work just as well or better, minus the drawbacks.
Anxiety medications can ease symptoms, but they’re not right for everyone and they’re not the only answer. It’s up to you to evaluate your options and decide what’s best for you.
List Of Antipsychotic Drugs Used To Treat Anxiety
Antipsychotic drugs are often used in combination with other anxiety medication. They are a second-line option due to the possibility of severe side effects. A list of antipsychotic drugs used to treat anxiety includes:1
- Molindone research suggests antianxiety properties
- Olanzapine off label use for anxiety
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Anxiety Medication Combined With Therapy
The other evidence-based treatment for anxiety is cognitive behavioral treatment and its important to understand that in our big study, where we compared combination treatment of cognitive behavioral therapy and medication with either one of those treatments alone, that the combination beat them all handily. So when youre thinking about the very best treatment youve got to be thinking in terms of medication plus a psychological intervention.
Long Term Implications Of Anxiety Medication Side Effects
While some anxiety drugs can cause some rare but severe side effects, they are generally well tolerated with few mild symptoms.
When you combine the side effect risks with the physiological and psychological dependence risk,it is recommended that anxiety medications are used only after a discussion with your doctor who will monitor you and any symptoms if they develop. If you do decide to commence medication, try to seek a talking therapy also, with the knowledge that medication is only a tool for recovery as opposed to the answer.
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Anxiety Drugs By Disorder
Every anxiety disorder responds differently to each medication. That means that your doctor may recommend a different medication depending on the type of anxiety. The following is a list of the most likely recommended medications for each condition, but always talk to your doctor and determine the one that is best for your symptoms.
Important Information About Anxiety Medication
Medication 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:
- difficulty with sexual drive or arousal
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. Dont drink alcohol while taking anti-anxiety medication.
If you are not sure about taking medications to treat anxiety, ask your doctor about the following:
- What are the benefits of the particular medication for anxiety?
- What are the risks of the medication?
- What are the possible side effects?
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How To Take Sertraline
Sertraline is available as either an oral tablet or a liquid.
Typically, a person takes a dose in the morning or evening, once a day. People using it to treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder may take it every day or only on select days of the month.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, sertraline comes in the following doses:
- 25 milligram tablets
- 20 milligrams per liter of liquid
A person taking sertraline should follow these general guidelines:
- Take it at about the same time every day.
- Take with or without food.
- Follow all instructions on the prescription packaging and from the doctor.
- If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember to, but do not double the dose the next day.
- Take only the amount that the healthcare provider has prescribed.
When using the liquid, dilute it in a drink. According to the National Library of Medicine, a person should mix 4 ounces of medication with one of the following beverages, then drink it immediately:
However, the right dosage will vary, based on a persons age and weight.
Typically, a healthcare provider will prescribe a low dose and increase the amount over time, but no more than once per week. It can take several weeks before a person feels any effects of sertraline.
People should not stop taking the drug without speaking to a doctor, even if they are feeling better. This may mean that the drug is working, and missing a dose can result in a return of symptoms.
Common side effects of sertraline include:
What Should I Know About Storage And Disposal Of This Medication
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature, away from light, excess heat, and moisture .
It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach.
Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.
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Celexa For Other Conditions
In addition to the use listed above, Celexa may be used off-label. Off-label drug use is when a drug thats approved for one use is used for a different one thats not approved. And you may wonder if Celexa is used for certain other conditions.
Celexa for anxiety
Celexa doesnt have FDA approval to treat anxiety. However, some studies suggest selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors like Celexa may be good treatment options for anxiety. These medications may be an option for people with anxiety who may benefit from taking medication.
Celexa for OCD
SSRIs, including Celexa, are sometimes used off-label for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder . This is a behavioral health condition in which unwanted thoughts or behaviors keep coming back or repeat over and over.
A review of studies has looked at people with OCD who were treated with Celexa, other SSRIs, or a placebo. People who took Celexa or another SSRI had their symptoms ease more than people who took a placebo.
Treatment of OCD usually requires doses of Celexa that are higher than those used for depression. And it can take longer for people with OCD to notice that Celexa is working.
Although the maximum recommended dose of Celexa for depression is 40 mg, doses of 60 mg have been used to treat OCD. Taking 60 mg of Celexa may increase your risk for heart-related side effects such as dizziness and heart palpitations .
Celexa for bipolar depression
Celexa for PMDD
Celexa for menopausal symptoms
Celexa for IBS
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 insomnia. CBT helps you understand and address the root of anxiety. With time, CBT can give long-term control over anxiety symptoms.
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How Is Anxiety Treated
There are two main treatments for anxiety disorders: psychotherapy and medications.
Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy or psychological counseling, is a practice therapists use to help reduce anxiety symptoms. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is an effective form of psychotherapy in which one addresses anxious thoughts, behaviors, and reactions to improve their symptoms. It can help teach coping strategies to manage anxiety on a daily basis.
Psychological Therapies For Gad
If you have been diagnosed with GAD, you’ll usually be advised to try psychological treatment before you’re prescribed medication.
You can get psychological therapies like cognitive behavioural therapy and applied relaxation on the NHS.
You can refer yourself directly to an NHS psychological therapies service without a referral from a GP.
Or your GP can refer you if you prefer.
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List Of Benzodiazepines Used To Treat Anxiety
Benzodiazepines are commonly used to treat short-term anxiety or for acute anxiety episodes. They are not typically used long-term due to concerns about benzodiazepine tolerance, dependence and abuse. A list of benzodiazepines includes:7
- Alprazolam approved for GAD, panic disorder used off-label for agoraphobia with social phobia
- Chlordiazepoxide approved for anxiety
- Clonazepam approved for panic disorder used off label for anxiety
- Diazepam approved for anxiety
- Lorazepam approved for anxiety disorders
- Oxazepam approved for anxiety
The Problem With Relying On Medicine
Medications should always be your last resort when it comes to treating your anxiety. The reason is not just because anxiety medications have side effects although that is a problem with every mental health medication but because medications prevent you from learning to cope without them.
Thats the greatest issue with medication. All anxiety medications dull anxiety without teaching you how to control it. Anxiety isnt like getting an infection. You cannot simply take an antibiotic and have your anxiety go away. Those who rely too much on medication often find that they dont use or learn the skills necessary to cope with anxiety.
As soon as your stop taking any medicine your anxiety will most likely come back. And if you havent learned any new coping skills, it may even be worse than before.
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Q: Are Anxiety And Phobia The Same Thing
A: While they may share some similarities in the way they physically manifest, anxiety and phobia are not the same. Anxiety is a feeling of intense apprehension that may be all-encompassing or may arise when a person is faced with a stressful or awkward situation. Phobias, by comparison, produce an overwhelming fear of a specific thing or event, such as heights, spiders, elevators, large gatherings, and airplanes.
The Benefits And Dangers Of Anti
Anxiety is a complex disorder, and may respond to anxiety drugs in different ways. There is no perfect anti-anxiety drug, as many create side effects or cause dependency in a way that make them less than idea for regular use, and not everyone benefits from the same drug or dose. Trial and error is involved.
In addition, anxiety medications only work while youre taking them. You still need to combine the drugs with therapy, lifestyle changes, self-help techniques, and more, even when you do not have anxiety. That way, someday, you can stop taking the medications and start living anxiety free.
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What Are The Warnings/precautions/side Effects Of Anti
Antidepressants
Anxiolytics
- Benzodiazepines should not be abruptly stopped because of the risk of seizures and other serious side effects. It is dangerous to combine benzodiazepines with other central nervous system depressants, including alcohol. Doing so may cause profound drowsiness and/or impair breathing. Those who have breathing difficulties such as sleep apnea or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease should not use benzodiazepines.
- Benzodiazepines frequently cause drowsiness therefore, care should be taken when operating machinery or motor vehicles.
- Side effects of antihistamines include drowsiness and dry mouth.
Anticonvulsants
Beta-Blockers
- Beta-blockers should not be withdrawn suddenly because severe cardiac problems, including heart attacks, may occur. Beta-blockers also should not be used in patients with certain breathing disorders, including bronchitis and emphysema.
- Beta-blockers can mask signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia and overactive thyroid disease. Dizziness and drowsiness can occur with beta-blockers.
Alpha-Blockers
- The alpha-blocker prazosin can cause dizziness and lightheadedness, both common side effects. Early in treatment, fainting can occur, especially when standing up.
- The alpha-blockers clonidine and guanfacine may cause dry mouth, drowsiness, dizziness, constipation, sedation, and weakness.
Antipsychotics
What Is The Best Non
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition Text Revision , there are several types of anxiety, including generalized anxiety, separation anxiety, social anxiety, panic disorder, specific phobias, and others.
While they are all treated differently, SSRIs and SNRIs are among the first-line options for almost all anxiety types.
Other non-controlled medications include the following:
reported that imipramine and clomipramine two common tricyclics may be as effective as newer antidepressants in treating anxiety disorders. However, they carry a higher risk for side effects and toxicity.
Typically, SSRIs and SNRIs are tried first before tricyclics are prescribed.
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Dangerous Side Effects Of Anxiety Drugs
Beyond the paradoxical effect of suicidal ideation and increased anxiety, it is rare for these drugs to show signs of dangerous or fatal side effects. However, in a few rare cases, some people have experienced:
- Heart problems, especially in those with possible cardiovascular disease.
- Persistent pulmonary hypertension .
- Increased bleeding risk.
- Interactions with other medications.
Most of these are related to SSRIs. Benzodiazepines may also cause what is known as dependency, which is when the body adapts to the anxiety drug. Dependency causes two issues. First, the medication will generally stop working , as the body gets used to the drug, which means that you will need to find a replacement medication.
Second, weaning off the drug incorrectly can lead to severe withdrawal symptoms. These withdrawal symptoms are not unlike withdrawing from severe alcoholism, and may lead to increased anxiety, depression, psychosis, seizures, hypersensitivity, and possibly suicide. Gastrointestinal problems and insomnia are also very common. Withdrawal can be extremely dangerous, which is why benzodiazepines often need to be slowly weaned off of over time.
Q: Do All Anxiety Medications Treat All Types Of Anxiety
A: No. Anxiety medications are not one-size-fits-all drugs. Just because a certain medication works to relieve PTSD symptoms, it does not mean it will also alleviate anxiety related to fear of heights. Or that you can use it to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder . It is vital that you work with your doctor to find the right anxiety medication for your particular situation. And that you avoid âsharingâ anxiety medications with others.
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Serotonin Selective Reuptake Inhibitors
Examples:
TCAs are also similar to SSRIs and SNRIs. Tricyclic Antidepressants increase serotonin and norepinephrine, like SNRIs, but also decrease another neurotransmitter known as acetylcholine, which in high levels was found to contribute to both anxiety and depression in studies in mice.
TCAs may be more powerful for severe anxiety and depression, but they also tend to have more side effects. They have fallen out of favor with psychiatrists and are less likely to be used unless anxiety has not responded to treatment.
Side effects include dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, weight gain, sexual dysfunction, drowsiness, and low blood pressure. Overdose can be fatal.
Who Needs Medication For Anxiety
Feeling anxious now and then is part of life. It is a component of the bodyâs natural self-defense system and linked closely with the fight or flight response. But there is a difference between feeling anxious prior to performing in front of a crowd, and being afraid to leave your house because you might encounter people outside. Just as there is a difference between jiggling the doorknob once as you leave your home to make sure it is locked, and checking the doorknob two dozen times.
Essentially, anyone who suffers from an anxiety disorder is a potential candidate for anxiety medication. But, just because someone might benefit from anxiety medication, it does not mean they necessarily should take one. They may be served just as effectively by a combination of psychotherapy and exercise. The most important thing is that the decision to use an anxiety medication is arrived at only after careful consultation with your doctor.
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