Anxiety can be a powerful force that affects every facet of your life. Fortunately, there are ways to alleviate the symptoms – and medication management for anxiety is one highly effective way. At Strong Mind Psychiatry, we help our patients every step of the way. We’ll first get an understanding of how anxiety is affecting your day to day life, and determine which option would most likely benefit you.
Don’t let anxiety overtake your daily life. Reach out to us today to schedule an appointment for anxiety medication management in Vancouver WA, or via telehealth, and take the first step toward a happier and healthier you.
How It Works: Managing Anxiety with Medication
Finding the optimal medication plan for your anxiety symptoms is a collaborative process where you’ll work closely with your mental health care provider to determine the right medication and dosage. At Strong Mind Psychiatry, we prioritize your safety and comfort at every step:
- Consultation: We begin with a thorough discussion of your symptoms, medical history, and goals.
- Initial Dosage: We’ll prescribe a low “starter” dose to begin. This allows us to observe how you and your symptoms react while minimizing the risk of side effects.
- Ongoing Evaluation: We’ll track your progress in subsequent appointments.
- Refinement: Based on your feedback and results, we may tweak the dosage or medication. The goal is to find the “sweet spot” where you feel like yourself again, with your symptoms managed.
Common Anxiety Medication Options
With so many types of medication out there, you might be wondering what the differences are, and which one is right for you. We’ve compiled a short overview of some common anxiety medications, so you can get an idea of your options:
- Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs): Zoloft (Sertaline), Lexapro (Escitalopram), Paxil (Paroxetine), and Prozac (Fluoxetine) are all examples of SSRIs, which are a type of antidepressant that can also treat anxiety by increasing serotonin levels. SSRIs are typically taken regularly and are used for chronic issues that need ongoing treatment such as GAD, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, PTSD, major depressive disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
- Selective Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs): Effexor XR (Venlafaxine) and Cymbalta (Duloxetine) are SNRI medications, which are also a type of antidepressant that increases serotonin levels, alongside norepinephrine levels. These medications can be used to treat GAD, panic disorder, social anxiety, and some chronic pain conditions.
- Benzodiazepines: Klonopin (Clonazepam) and Ativan (Lorazepam) are fast-acting benzodiazepine medications that can relieve panic attacks and sharp spikes of anxiety, often within 30 to 60 minutes. They can be helpful for short periods of time, but are generally not permanent solutions due to their potentially addictive nature.
- Buspirone: Also known as Buspar, Buspirone works by increasing serotonin and decreasing dopamine levels. It can be preferred for its lower risk of addiction and withdrawal effects, but it is often only effective for GAD.
- Bupropion: Known by the names of Wellbutrin, Forfivo, and Zyban, Bupropion is another type of antidepressant that increases dopamine and norepinephrine levels. This medication is very dependent on the person, as some experience reduced anxiety similar to SSRIs, and others experience worsened anxiety.
- Beta blockers: Inderal (Propranolol) is an example of a beta-blocker, which treats high blood pressure and symptoms common with anxiety such as trembling, rapid heart rate, and dizziness. Rather than treating the anxiety itself, they make the symptoms less prominent, and may be helpful for performance anxiety or public speaking related stress.
When Should You Try Medication for Anxiety?
Everyone feels a bit of anxiety when they have a stressful event going on in their life. But if anxiety is impacting your life regularly, whether it’s causing a lack of sleep, constant panicking that makes daily tasks difficult, or fear that impacts your body physically, you may be dealing with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
Anxiety medication is not a requirement for treating anxiety, and every person has different needs. However, if lifestyle changes, attempts to reduce stress, and therapy aren’t helping, anxiety medication may be an important option to consider.
>> For more information, we have a page to help you decide if therapy is right for you.
Do Anxiety Medications Have Potential Side Effects?
They can, which is why it’s important to work with an experienced mental health professional for your anxiety medication management. Depending on the type of medication you choose, you may experience side effects. However, living with these side effects is not a requirement of anxiety treatment.
With the proper medication and dosage, side effects like these should not significantly affect your life:
- Weight gain or loss: Potentially caused by SSRIs and Buspirone
- Sexual dysfunction: Common side effects of SSRIs and SNRIs
- Nausea, dry mouth, or loss of appetite: Could be a risk of any anxiety medication
- Constipation or diarrhea: May be a side effect of SSRIs, Buspirone, or Beta blockers.
- Insomnia or drowsiness: Potential result of SSRIs, SNRIs, and Bupropion
- Dizziness or lightheadedness: Frequent symptom of Buspirone, Bupropion, and Beta blockers
- Temporarily increased anxiety: As your body adjusts, this can be common for any ongoing medication option.
Schedule Your Anxiety Medication Management Consultation Today
At Strong Mind Psychiatry, we value the individual needs of everyone who walks through our doors, which is why we provide customized medication management plans based on your current struggles and risk factors. As you adjust to your first prescription, we’ll continue to work with you to ensure your medication is still providing maximum benefits to you.
Instead of struggling with anxiety or depression on your own, contact us today to schedule a personal consultation.
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