What Is The Best Medication For Anxiety?
It's normal for everyone to feel a little bit anxious now and then. For instance, one might feel nervous and anxious when there is a problem at work, before making a life-changing decision, or before taking an important test.
However, anxiety can become a problem if it's an ongoing thing for a person, bringing forth the need of proper anxiety treatment. You should also take note that everyday anxiety is different from anxiety disorders.
Is your anxiety getting out of hand?
Anxiety disorders consist of a group of mental illnesses that are accompanied by distress which keeps one from carrying on the regular functions of life normally.
Moreover, for people that have an anxiety disorder, fear and worry aren't only always in their thoughts (like other individuals) it's as if these emotions are overwhelming to the point of disability. But with a few treatment options, it's possible for many people to manage their feelings and start living a fulfilling life once more.
Anxiety disorders are one of the highly prevalent psychiatric illnesses that affect both adults and children. At an average, around 44 million adults in America suffer from anxiety disorders. Around one-third of the people receive treatment for anxiety disorders.
Understanding Types of Disorders
Anxiety disorder is a broad term and includes the following conditions:
Panic Disorder
In a panic disorder, terror strikes at random moments. While experiencing a panic attack, you might also sweat, feel heart palpitations, and have chest pain. In some case, you might also feel as if you're choking or are experiencing a heart attack.
Social Anxiety Disorder
Also called social phobia, social anxiety disorder occurs when you excessively worry or are extremely self-consciousness about daily social situations. In social anxiety disorder, you might fixate and worry about being ridiculed, embarrassed or being judged by others.
Specific Phobias
In specific phobias, you experience excessive fear of either a situation (flying, heights, etc.) or a particular object (needles, sharp objects, etc.). The fear of the item or situation goes way beyond that what's considered appropriate, and as a result, you tend to avoid every day ordinary situations.
Generalized Anxiety Order
If you have generalized anxiety disorder, then you feel unrealistic and excessive tension and worry without any particular reason.
What's causing anxiety in your life?
Researchers still haven't found out the exact cause of anxiety disorders. Just like other kinds of mental illnesses, anxiety disorders also occur because of a number of things such as environmental changes and chemical changes in the brain. Anxiety disorders can also be genetic and can run in families. They're linked to faulty circuits in the brain that control emotions as well.
Is there a way to manage symptoms of anxiety?
With the following tips, you can control or at least lessen the symptoms of anxiety disorder;
- Reduce the amount of food and drinks that contain caffeine including chocolate, energy drinks, cola, coffee, and tea. Caffeine has the ability to alter mood and can worsen the symptoms of anxiety disorders.
- Eat balanced meals, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep. Aerobic exercises such as biking and jogging can help release such chemicals in the brain that reduce stress and improve mood too.
- Since anxiety disorders are often linked to better sleep, it's essential that you get good rest. For this, think of following a relaxing bedtime routine. If you have problems sleeping, then consult your doctor.
- Make sure to talk to the pharmacist or doctor before taking any herbal remedies or medicines. Some contain chemicals that worsen anxiety.
Available anxiety treatment Options
People diagnosed with anxiety disorder can get help from the following anxiety disorder treatment options;
Go for psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a kind of counseling that addresses the emotional response people have towards mental illness. A specialist helps you by discussing the way in which you can understand and deal with the disorder. One effective kind of psychotherapy for anxiety treatment is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in which patients learn how to recognize and change the behaviors and patterns that trigger anxiety.
Take your meds!
Of course, it's always recommended you know about the best medication for anxiety available. Your doctor will be able to give you some recommendations of the best medications available. You need to buy your medication from a reliable source. Whether you're looking for social anxiety treatment, generalized anxiety disorder treatment, or specific anxiety disorder treatment, the following best medicines can help.
Paxil (Paroxetine)
Available in a tablet form, Paxil is useful for treating posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, panic disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. The medicine is also an ideal generalized anxiety disorder treatment and social anxiety treatment option. Paxil belongs to a class known as selected serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and it works by elevating the levels of serotonin; a chemical present in the brain which helps to maintain mental balance. Paxil CR is also available.
Zoloft (Sertraline)
Zoloft also belongs to the group SSRI - selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and it is an antidepressant. It's helpful for treating mental disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, PTSD, and panic attacks.
Zoloft is also used for relieving the symptoms of PHDD - premenstrual dysphoric disorder that include breast tenderness, mood swings, bloating, and irritability. The medicine works by altering those chemicals in the brain that might have become unbalanced and have led to symptoms of anxiety, panic, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Effexor XR (Venlafaxine XR)
Not only is Effexor used to relieve one from the symptoms of anxiety, but it's also useful for treating generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, depression, and social phobia. It works by altering those chemicals in the brain that might cause an imbalance, thus leading to conditions like depression. The medicine is available in an XR capsule , extended release, which means that the medication is slowly released into the body.
Cymbalta (Duloxetine HCl)
Cymbalta is known to be a prescription SNRI medication, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, which is effective for the treatment of MDD and GAD along with mental depression. The medicine can also be used for treating the pain that occurs because of nerve damage due to diabetes and fibromyalgia. It can also help with chronic musculoskeletal pain.
Other medicines that can be used for anxiety treatment include anti-depressants. Make sure you consult a doctor before taking any medications.
Sources:
- https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety#
- https://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/guide/anxiety-disorders#2
IMPORTANT NOTE: The above information is intended to increase awareness of health information and does not suggest treatment or diagnosis. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
