Are you anxious? It is a very common condition that appears when we feel overcome by some circumstances in our lives. Anxiety and stress are two ailments that are very linked and that arise when we have an excess of pressure in our lives, to such an extent that it affects us in the day-to-day.
To treat anxiety, medical health professionals often prescribe several medications, as well as therapy to control this situation. Then we will discover the main anxiety medications, however, you should always consult with a health expert to tell you the best treatment for each case.
Top medicines to treat anxiety
When it comes to treating anxiety, professionals usually perform two main treatments that aim to control the symptoms of this condition. Treatments are, on the one hand, pharmacological and, on the other, psychological. The combination of the two is crucial to be able to get the greatest benefits and deal with the ravages of the condition.
Among the anxiety medicines, those that are used mostly are anxiolytics and antidepressants. Below, we’ll analyze each of them so you better know the benefits and effects they offer:
Anxiolytics
Those with high-powered benzodiazepines are usually used. What anxiolytics generate in the body is:
– Requiring effect.
– They reduce the symptoms of anxiety immediately.
– Decreased the feeling of distress and stress.
The main problem with anxiolytics is their side effects. Among the most prominent are drowsiness, problems concentrating, affectations in memory, etc. In addition, if anxiolytics are abused or taken in a very follow-up, some dependence or tolerance for the drug can be generated.
Antidepressants
Among the anxiety medications, we also highlight antidepressants which are currently the most common drug to treat this condition. The most used are ISRS, i.e. Selective Inhibitors of Serotonin Recapture, since serotonin is the hormone most linked to the onset of anxiety. This treatment contributes to:
– Reduce the main symptoms of anxiety
– Control the effects of anxiety such as gluttony or binge eating
– Recommended for people taking other medications as they barely have interactions
Antidepressants also have some side effects, although less than anxiolytics. The most striking are weight gain, sexual problems, or drowsiness; but they do not create dependence or tolerance.
Psychological therapy for anxiety
In addition to the anxiety medications we have just indicated, experts also combine drugs with psychological therapy. Here, a psychologist or psychiatrist will be in charge of treating the patient and indicating techniques to learn how to manage anxiety or stress.
This type of therapy is known as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and is the type of psychotherapy that has yielded the best results in alleviating anxiety. We are facing short-term treatment and aiming to provide the patient with specific techniques to help them reduce the most common symptoms of anxiety.