#Take as needed anxiety medication how to
#Take as needed anxiety medication full

You'll usually be started on a low dose, which may be gradually increased as your body adjusts to the medication.

SSRIs can be taken on a long-term basis but, as with all antidepressants, they can take several weeks to start working. This type of medication works by increasing the level of a chemical called serotonin in your brain.Įxamples of SSRIs you may be prescribed include: In most cases, the first medication you'll be offered will be a type of antidepressant called a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI).

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) They may be able to adjust your dose or prescribe an alternative medication. Tell your GP if you think you may be experiencing side effects from your medication.

These will usually take place every 2 to 4 weeks for the first 3 months, then every 3 months after that. You should also have regular appointments with your doctor to assess your progress when you're taking medication for GAD. which medication is best for you if you’re pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding.side effects and possible interactions with other medicines.If you're considering taking medication for GAD, your GP should discuss the different options with you in detail before you start a course of treatment, including: Some medication is designed to be taken on a short-term basis, while others are prescribed for longer periods.ĭepending on your symptoms, you may need medication to treat your physical symptoms, as well as your psychological ones. Your GP can prescribe a variety of different types of medication to treat GAD. If the psychological treatments above haven't helped or you'd prefer not to try them, you'll usually be offered medication. Relaxation therapy may not be available in all areas, so you might be offered CBT instead. practising relaxing your muscles in situations that make you anxiousĪs with CBT, applied relaxation therapy will usually mean meeting with a therapist for a 1-hour session every week for 3 to 4 months.

#Take as needed anxiety medication how to

learning how to relax your muscles quickly and in response to a trigger, such as the word 'relax'.

The technique needs to be taught by a trained therapist and generally involves: Applied relaxationĪpplied relaxation focuses on relaxing your muscles in a particular way during situations that usually cause anxiety.

#Take as needed anxiety medication full

This is not a full CBT course or guided self-help, but it has practical self-help tips and strategies based on CBT techniques. You can try some self-help cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) techniques on the Every Mind Matters website. If these initial treatments don't help, you'll usually be offered more intensive CBT where you usually have weekly sessions with a therapist for 3 to 4 months, or another type of therapy called applied relaxation or medication. you take part in a group course where you and other people with similar problems meet with a therapist every week to learn ways to tackle your anxiety.you work through a CBT workbook or computer course with the support of a therapist who you see every 1 or 2 weeks.you work through a CBT workbook or computer course in your own time.There are several ways you may be offered self-help and CBT: Self-help courses for GAD are usually based on the principles of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).ĬBT is a type of talking therapy that can help you manage your problems by changing the way you think and behave.ĬBT is one of the most effective treatments for GAD. Your GP or talking therapies service may suggest trying a self-help course to see if it can help you learn to cope with your anxiety. Find an NHS talking therapies service Guided self-help and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)