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Friday, June 13, 2014

CAN MEDICATION TREAT ANXIETY?

blog.homehealthmedical.com
Yes, several medications can treat anxiety, and each has its own benefits and drawbacks. The type of medication used is often determined by the kind of anxiety disorder a person has.
There are two categories of effective medicines along with a few medications that are in a class by themselves. Antidepressants and benzodiazepines are the two major categories. Antidepressants, now considered a first-line medication treatment for anxiety, are divided into four categories, including: (a) the original and rarely used tricyclics ; (b) the monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs); (c) the newer and more commonly used selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs); and (d) drugs similar to the SSRIs, such as Effexor.
In addition to these categories of drugs, an antianxiety medicine called BuSpar is available, and certain medications used to treat other conditions have been applied to the treatment of anxiety. Anticonvulsants, like Neurontin, are gaining popularity in their use by psychiatrists, although these medications are not well-studied as antianxiety agents. Beta-blockers, like Inderal, are another class of medications commonly utilized. Finally, antihistamines, such as Benadryl and Vistaril, are used in some cases to treat anxiety.

If you are considering medications, it is important to consult with a physician or psychiatrist who is experienced in prescribing medications for the treatment of anxiety. Treatment of an anxiety disorder may require a different dosage of a medication than indicated for other disorders. For example, a higher dosage of an SSRI may be needed for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder than for the treatment of depression.
 Source: The Anxiety Answer Book by: Laurie A. Helgoe, PhD, Laura R. Wilhelm, PhD, Martin J. Kommor, MD

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