Anxiety Medication – An Important Part of Treatment For Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety Medication – An Important Part of Treatment For Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety medication is an integral component of treating anxiety disorders. Medication can help you manage your symptoms so you can move on with life.

Benzodiazepines, antidepressants and other medications can help alleviate anxiety in various ways. Some are taken for temporary relief while others need to be taken regularly for long-term maintenance.

Antidepressants and other medications work to restore balance to chemicals in your brain that cause anxiety. Examples include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).

These drugs work by increasing levels of serotonin in your brain, which regulates moods and feelings. Furthermore, they lower levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that may exacerbate anxiety or depression.

Other drugs for anxiety include beta-blockers, which inhibit norepinephrine production. These may be prescribed to treat panic attacks and anxiety caused by medical conditions like heart disease or cancer.

These medications may also alleviate symptoms of some anxiety disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder and phobias; however, they have the potential to lead to dependence.

Non-drug treatments can also help alleviate anxiety and enhance quality of life. Avoiding alcohol and recreational drugs, getting plenty of rest and employing worry-busting strategies are all effective methods for relieving symptoms.

Altering your thinking can also be beneficial. Cognitive behavioral therapy or cognitive processing therapy are two behavioral techniques that teach you how to regulate your thoughts and emotions.

Starting with a combination of therapies and medication can be beneficial, but if these don’t provide the relief you require or cause side effects, your doctor can suggest another medication which may be more efficient.