Meds That Treat Anxiety

Anxiety affects 40 million people in the United States. It's extremely treatable with various types of medication available.

SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), like Zoloft, Prozac, Lexapro and Effexor, work to alleviate anxiety by raising levels of the chemical serotonin in the brain. They aren't addictive, unlike benzodiazepines.

SSRIs

The most commonly used anxiety medication is selective serotonin reuptake inhibits (SSRIs) which include citalopram, escitalopram, and fluoxetine. These medications also help with depression, and can help relieve the symptoms of other anxiety disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). They may take up to a month before they start working.

These drugs are effective by increasing the quantity of certain chemical transmitters that are present in the brain. This includes serotonin and norepinephrine as well as dopamine. These medications are typically the first choice to treat anxiety, but doctors can prescribe other forms of antidepressants or benzodiazepines.

Another class of antidepressants called serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) like duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor), are also used to treat anxiety. They operate a bit differently from SSRIs because they reduce the reabsorption rate of norepinephrine and serotonin, but at lower levels than SSRIs. These medicines may take a few days to start taking effects, and they tend to be more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants, such as imipramine Tofranil, can be effective for treating anxiety disorders. Their drowsiness, and other side effects are what make them less well-liked. Another form of antidepressant is monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs), can also be used to combat anxiety. Their high risk of toxicity and dietary restrictions make them unsuitable for use.

Benzodiazepines can be used to combat panic attacks and anxiety in the short-term while waiting for SSRIs and SNRIs. These drugs can trigger tolerance, sedation and addiction, and withdrawal reactions that may cause depression, anxiety treatment symptoms, and even delusions. Benzodiazepines can be found in alprazolam, clonazepam, and lorazepam.

Therapy is a vital part of any treatment for anxiety. It aids you in better know your symptoms and their causes. Many people find that both therapy and medication help them cope with anxiety. Some studies suggest that cognitive behavioral therapy works just as well as medication for anxiety. Talk to your doctor to determine what is the best option for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines have a calming effect, reduce anxiety and relax muscles that are tight. They also ease symptoms of fear-related bodily arousal (like heart rate and shaking) and help promote sleep.

They function by binding to inhibitory neurons, such as GABA or gamma aminobutryic acids, at receptors within the central nervous system. They boost the effects of GABA by facilitating the inhibitory effect of GABA on other neurotransmitters, and by reducing the volume of messages that are sent to the amygdala. This is a region of the brain that is able to detect threats and produces a feeling of fear.

These medications are typically taken for short durations, such as during a panic attack or severe anxiety episode. They may relieve symptoms within 30 to 60 minutes. Benzodiazepines, unlike SSRIs do not stay in the body long. They are fast acting and can be effective within a couple of hours. This makes them suitable for situations where rapid relief is required (such as during a flight or before giving a presentation in public).

As they are addictive, patients are usually only prescribed them for a period of up to four weeks at a time. After that time they cease to be effective.

One of the reasons why benzodiazepines were so popular was that they were effective and had a few adverse effects when compared with their predecessors, like barbiturates or meprobamate. They have a rapid start of action and are extremely effective as anxiolytics (anti-anxiety), sedatives, anticonvulsants, as well as for muscle relaxants.

Benzos were blamed for negative attitudes towards anxiety that developed in the 1970s and 1980s, including the minimization of the disorder and the belief that benzodiazepine treatment result in physical dependence. Despite this they still play an important role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, particularly in combination with psychosocial interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy.

Benzos can interact with other medications and cause undesirable side effects, like drowsiness or confusion. It is important to inform your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription or herbal medications that you are currently taking or plan to take. You can find out which medications are safe to use with benzodiazepines through the British National Formulary A-Z list of non drug treatment for Anxiety interactions.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants can help ease anxiety and other mental health conditions. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, antidepressants -- like SSRIs and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) -- can help reduce chronic anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorders and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The FDA has approved antidepressants for other health conditions, including eating disorders, bipolar disorder and certain types of pain.

SSRIs are typically prescribed as a first-line treatment for panic attacks and anxiety of anxiety by doctors, however they may not work for everyone. If they don't work, doctors may try the older type of antidepressant known as tricyclic or tetracyclic an antidepressant. They include amitriptyline, nortriptyline and clomipramine. They're not as popular as the latest antidepressants but are still accessible. You may also ask your physician to prescribe the sedating antidepressant trazodone(Desyrel), at lower doses if you're having sleep problems or anxiety.

Other antidepressants that may help include the nefazodone (Ferdinand) and duloxetine (Cymbalta). These drugs are also available in generic forms. If they don't help, your doctor may try the antipsychotics quetiapine or olanzapine or the tranquilizing antidepressant Mirtazapine.

Medications for other anxiety disorders include beta blockers, which reduce the blood pressure and heart rate by blocking the action of adrenaline. These drugs aren't commonly used to treat anxiety on their own however they can be helpful when used in conjunction with psychological therapy.

Psychological therapy can help you to change negative thoughts and behaviors that contribute to your anxiety. It can help you to control your anxiety, and develop coping skills. Depending on your situation, you may receive cognitive behavioural therapy or exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioural therapy helps you overcome negative, fearful thoughts and overcome avoidance of situations that trigger your anxiety. Exposure therapy involves increasing the level of anxiety provoking situations until they become manageable. It can be carried out in a group or individually. In both instances, results will take time to manifest. A combination of medications and psychological therapy is the best choice for certain people. Some people discover that medications alone are sufficient to control their symptoms. Inform your doctor about how you manage your symptoms.

Other Medical Treatments

Although benzodiazepines and antidepressants are the most frequently prescribed treatment for anxiety, other medications can help alleviate your symptoms as well. Antihistamines and beta blockers are often prescribed to ease anxiety.

These drugs can correct an imbalance in your brain's chemical balance and can help alleviate your symptoms by reducing or blocking signals that cause you stress and fear. However, they're not an all-in-one solution. You'll need to continue doing other things to manage anxiety, such as physical exercise or relaxation techniques, as well as psychological therapy.

The SSRIs or SNRIs are often the first choice of anxiety medication that your doctor might prescribe. According to studies, these medications are the most effective in treating anxiety disorders. SSRIs are typically found in sertraline (Zoloft) and Citropram, fluoxetine, and escitalopram. These drugs may cause minor side effects, like insomnia or nausea, however they usually subside within 4-8 weeks. They aren't addictive and they do not increase the likelihood of suicidal ideas.

The benzodiazepines, alprazolam (Xanax) as well as Clonazepam (Klonopin) and diazepoxide (Valium) provide immediate relief for anxiety and panic attacks However, they can cause adverse effects, such as drowsiness, dizziness, memory and coordination issues, and dependence. These are less popular than older barbiturates but are equally effective.

Antihistamines like Vistaril (hydroxyzine) were developed to relieve allergies, but they're also sometimes used to reduce anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine can have a calming effect by blocking the histamine receptors. It's not a controlled substance and therefore doesn't carry the same addiction risks as benzodiazepines.

Anticonvulsants are another kind of medication that can help with anxiety. They have been found to reduce anxiety through blocking the production and release of dopamine and sérotonin. These medications are often prescribed as a part of an integrated therapy or to treat anxiety in the short term. Your doctor will evaluate your health history and symptoms to determine whether these medications are suitable for you. They will discuss the length of time you'll need these medicines and any potential side effects that may occur. Anxiety medications are only available by prescription, and it is necessary to see a psychiatrist to prescribe it.