The uneasy feeling that accompanies a strange dog's growl is the first line of the body's defense against danger. The normal discomfort and worry most people experience in common, unpleasant situations is temporary, but for 40 million Americans each year, that same apprehension crosses a line, becoming a dread that won't go away. Uneasiness intensifies into a sustained, uncontrollable fear becoming a disorder that requires treatment.
Diagnosis and Scope of Anxiety Disorders
It's easy for the distressing symptoms of anxiety disorders to be masked by medical conditions, making diagnoses difficult for physicians. hydroxyzine for anxiety Depression is often a companion issue for anxiety disorder sufferers and symptoms may overlap. A thorough patient examination helps to eliminate any medical problems. Once a disorder is isolated and identified, treatment may include medication, psychiatric therapy or even a combination of standard and alternative therapies.
Excessive anxiety and underlying distress that interfere with everyday living are common factors among the six major psychiatric conditions known as anxiety disorders. These are generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder, phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, social anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. Each condition manifests itself differently from patient to patient requiring customized treatment, according to an individual's specific disorder and needs. Successful treatment is commonly accomplished within a relatively short period of time.
Anxiety Treatment with Medications
While medications are often integrated with therapy and sometimes complementary or alternative forms of treatment, medicines can also be used alone depending on the patient's condition and preference of treatment. Medications used for treatment are not cures for an anxiety disorder; however, they can be used by the patient situationally or as a way to keep it under control during coexisting behavioral treatment.
When medications are suggested for treatment, doctors must first rule out any possible contributing causes for the anxiety that might interfere with the medication's performance. Since patients with anxiety disorders are often simultaneously affected by depression or substance abuse, a doctor may suggest separate treatment for these particular problems in advance of any anxiety treatment.
Drugs Available for Anxiety Treatment
Depending on the symptoms and intensity of the anxiety disorder, a doctor may prescribe medications from one of three categories: antidepressants, beta-blockers or anti-anxiety drugs. Antidepressants are especially effective in treatment for those patients whose anxiety diagnosis also encompasses depression. Among the antidepressants prescribed are selective serotonin uptake reinhibitors or SSRIs, which facilitate neurotransmitter communication in the brain. Other antidepressants are tricyclics and, the dependable older antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors or MAOIs.
Treatment prescriptions, especially for those who have a joint diagnosis of drug or alcohol abuse, may include anti-anxiety drugs called benzodiazepines. Since the benzodiazepines Clonazapam and Buspirone can be habit-forming, they are meant only for short-term treatment. Beta-blockers like propranolol, also used in treating heart ailments, are most often prescribed for anxiety in limited doses to prevent the physical rather than emotional symptoms associated with anxiety.
