Activities like meditation, reading and taking a walk can help keep your stress levels down. “It's best to be proactive and build these activities into your routine,” says Duke. “They can reduce your baseline level of anxiety and make you less likely to overthink.”
SSRIs and SNRIs are often the first-line treatment for anxiety. Common SSRI brands are Celexa, Lexapro, Luvox, Paxil, and Zoloft. Common SNRI brands are Pristiq, Cymbalta, and Effexor XR. Pros: They are effective for a lot of people and they have a solid safety profile.
Types of Anti-anxiety Medications (Benzodiazepines)
All benzodiazepines work the same way; however, the intensity and duration of their effects vary. Benzodiazepines most commonly used to treat anxiety disorders are clonazepam (Rivotril)*, alprazolam (Xanax) and lorazepam (Ativan).
There is no specific medication for stress. But there are medications that can help reduce or manage some of the signs and symptoms of stress. For example, your doctor might offer to prescribe: Sleeping pills or minor tranquillisers, if you're having trouble sleeping.
Self-help strategies like distracting yourself and challenging your thoughts can help. If overthinking is taking a toll on your well-being, consider talking to a mental health professional. They can help you develop the mental tools and coping skills you need to prevent overthinking.
Meanwhile, overthinking may be associated with increased stress, anxiety, and depression. Following a traumatic event, it's also common to be hypervigilant — which is when you're on high alert for danger at all times. Some people experience hypervigilance as overthinking about potential signs of trouble.
Plus, whether you're fixating on the past or catastrophizing about the future, thought patterns that are more destructive than constructive can take a toll on both your mental health and physical health. "Studies show that ruminating on stressful events can, over time, lead to anxiety and depression," warns Dr. Fowler.
The good news is that just as with many behaviors that harm mental wellbeing, overthinking is something that can be changed. It takes some effort, but keeping your overthinking to a minimum is 100% feasible and 1000% worth the work.
Some of the most commonly used include: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram oxalate (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine HCI (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft).
Study drugs are usually prescription stimulants that are used to increase alertness and energy for a short time. They also increase heart rate, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Prescription stimulants used as study drugs include: amphetamines like Adderall, Dexedrine, or Vyvanse.
We also have general information about the four main types of psychiatric medication: Antidepressants. Antipsychotics. Sleeping pills and minor tranquillisers.
She goes on to explain that “when we get tired at night, our mind wants to open up to process all our 'stuff' as we dream. As we start to drift into our sleep these barriers drop”. In short, thoughts, concerns and worries begin to bleed into the forefront of our mind as our subconscious and conscious begin to overlap.
It's natural to worry about an event like an exam or a driving test. Being nervous shows you care about the outcome. Once the event is over, anxious thoughts usually disappear. Overthinking is when you continue to worry.
No, overthinking isn't a recognized mental health condition, but it can be a symptom of depression or anxiety. Overthinking is commonly associated with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), says Duke. GAD is characterized by the tendency to worry excessively about several things.
FDA-approved medications to treat anxiety include SSRIs, SNRIs, buspirone, benzodiazepines, and hydroxyzine. Your doctor may prescribe another medication off-label if they think it is the best option to treat your condition.
Short-term medications are helpful during brief episodes of intense anxiety, such as a panic attack. These medications take effect almost immediately and usually start to wear off within a few hours. They should not be taken daily unless your doctor explicitly recommends it.
Drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, tiredness, upset stomach, or headache may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.