Anxiety
For those who suffer from anxiety disorders, life can often be filled with fear and constant worry. Panic attacks and obsessive-compulsive disorders, are just two of the disorders that these people may suffer. While many disorders are acute in nature, meaning they only last a short time, anxiety disorders are often chronic in nature.
Anxiety: What is it?
We all feel anxious from time to time, that is normal. Anyone who has ever had to speak in public or sit for an important job interview will know this. For those with
anxiety disorders, however, these same events can bring about an overwhelming sense of dread and hopelessness.
Anxiety Disorder Symptoms:
The symptoms of anxiety disorders are hard to identify at times. There are some common traits, however, and these are often the most obvious of the symptoms. Those suffering from anxiety disorders will show signs of unwarranted dread, fear that is not based on reality, and a nearly debilitating sense of impending doom.
These same symptoms may be present with other medical conditions that are not related to anxiety disorders. Those who have these symptoms should consult with a medical professional.
Types of Anxiety Disorder:
There are following anxiety disorders types:
Anxiety Disorder Treatment
Treatment for anxiety disorders will vary from person to person and from condition to condition. Generally, patients are treated with a combination of psychotherapy and medicine. In many cases, treatment will require an extended period of time. Patients who are on medication should not stop taking their meds without the approval of their doctor. Some medications require slow adjustments in dosage, especially when the patient is being taken off them.
Cognitive-Behavioral Methods
One proven method for helping those with anxiety disorders is called cognitive-behavior therapy. With this method two-part method, patients are first taught to realign their thoughts to help them deal with their apprehensions and fears. The second part of the method, the behavior part, helps patients to change their reaction to stressful situations and events. One major component to this method is having the patient actually face real-life fears.
Anxiety Disorder Medications:
As mentioned above, medication as well as psychotherapy is often the best course of action for anxiety disorders. The two main classes for prescribed medication are
anti-anxiety medicines and
antidepressants. It should be noted that there are other types of drugs that may be used, as well as varying dosages on drugs currently being used.
In addition to the above, many anxiety disorder patients can benefit from depression medications.
The various classes of medications used as antidepressants that can also be used for anxiety are:
tricyclics,
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs),
serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), and Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs).
SSRI's or Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are fairly recent medications. This type of medicine will act on the brain's chemical messengers which are known as serotonin. SSRIs can be prescribed for different types of mental problems including anxiety, as well as panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social anxiety disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The SSRI type meds are also used to treat patients who may have panic disorder issues in conjunction with depression, OCD, or social phobia.
The SNRI's (Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors) are related to the SSRI medications. SNRI have actions that are similar to SSRIs, however they may be stimulating than the SSRI's. This may be due to the SNRI effects on norepinephrine. For some patients, this may result in jitteriness or insomnia. For other patients, high blood pressure may become a problem due to norepinephrine effects. There are some SNRIs that are not approved as anxiety treatment medications.
Historically, Tricyclic antidepressants are older than SSRIs. These drugs have been studied over a long time for the treatment for anxiety. Because of some severe side effects, this type of medication may be suitable for older patients.
List of AntiAnxiety Medications
