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Meds That Treat Anxiety

Anxiety affects 40 million people in the United States. There are a variety of medications available to treat it.

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. Contrary to benzodiazepines they're not addictive.

SSRIs

The most common anxiety medication is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro) and fluoxetine (Prozac). These drugs can also be used to treat depression and alleviate symptoms of other anxiety disorders, such as obsessive compulsive disorder. It can take up to one month for them to begin working.

These drugs increase the levels of certain chemical messengers in the brain, such as serotonin and norepinephrine. They're typically the first treatment option for anxiety, however doctors may also prescribe other kinds of antidepressants as well as benzodiazepines.

Another class of antidepressants, called serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) like duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor) are used to treat anxiety. They operate a bit differently from SSRIs in that they reduce the reabsorption rate of norepinephrine and serotonin, though at lower levels than SSRIs. These medications take a long time to work and are more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), such as imipramine (Tofranil), are effective in treating some anxiety disorders, particularly GAD. Their drowsiness, and other adverse effects, make them less popular. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are a different kind of antidepressant used to combat anxiety. Their high functioning anxiety treatment toxicity risk and dietary restrictions restrict their use.

Benzodiazepines are used to treat panic attacks and anxiety in the short-term while waiting for SSRIs and SNRIs. These medications can trigger addiction tolerance, sedation, and tolerance and withdrawal symptoms such a depression, anxiety, and delirium. Common benzodiazepines include alprazolam (Xanax) as well as clonazepam (Klonopin) and lorazepam (Ativan).

Therapy is a crucial component of a treatment plan for anxiety as it can help you learn more about your symptoms and their reasons. Many people find that both therapy and medication aid to manage anxiety. Some studies suggest that cognitive behavior therapy works just as well as anxiety medications. Talk with your doctor about your options and which might be best for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines create a calming effect, decrease anxiety and relax tense muscles. They also relieve symptoms of fear-related bodily stimulation (like heart rate, trembling or shaking) and help promote sleep.

The way they work is by binding to inhibitory neurotransmitters, like gamma-aminobutryic acid, or GABA which is a receptor in the central nervous system. They increase the effects of GABA by increasing its inhibitory effects on other neurotransmitters while reducing the number of messages that are transmitted to the amygdala, a region of the brain that detects threats and creates the feeling of fear.

These medications can be used for short durations, such as when panic attacks occur or if you're experiencing extreme anxiety. They may help relieve the symptoms within 30 to 90 minutes of taking them. In contrast to SSRIs they don't stay in the body for long. They're quick-acting and can work in a matter of hours. This makes them perfect for situations in which immediate relief is needed (such as on an airplane or before a presentation in public).

Since they are addictive, patients are usually prescribed for up to four weeks at a time. They also lose their effectiveness after that time.

One of the reasons benzodiazepines were so popular was that they worked and had a few adverse effects when compared with their predecessors, like meprobamate and barbiturates. They are efficient and have a rapid onset and can be used as anxiolytics to reduce anxiety. They can also be used as sedatives, anticonvulsants and muscle relaxants.

Benzos are often blamed for the negative attitudes towards anxiety that emerged in the 1970s and 1980s, which included the stigmatization of anxiety and the belief that benzodiazepine treatment can lead to physical dependence. Despite this, benzodiazepines continue to play a crucial role in the treatment for anxiety disorders, especially when combined with psychosocial interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy or interpersonal therapies.

Benzos can interact with other drugs and cause unwanted side-effects, like drowsiness or confusion. It is recommended to inform your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription, or herbal medication you currently take or plan to take. You can determine which medications are safe to use with benzodiazepines by checking the British National Formulary A-Z list of medication interactions.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants are effective in treating anxiety and other mental 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 to treat other health conditions, including bipolar disorder, eating disorders and certain kinds of pain.

SSRIs are usually prescribed as a first-line treatment for anxiety by doctors, however they might not be effective for everyone. If they fail doctors can consider a different type of antidepressant, known as tricyclic or tetracyclic an antidepressant. These include amitriptyline and nortriptyline, clomipramine and trimipramine, dothiepin, doxepin or imipramine. They're less popular than the newer antidepressants, but still readily available. You may ask your doctor to prescribe the sedating antidepressant trazodone(Desyrel) in lower doses in case you are experiencing sleep issues or anxiety.

Other antidepressants that can aid are nefazodone (Ferdinand) and duloxetine (Cymbalta). These medications are also available in generic form. If they do not work, your doctor may suggest the antidepressant that is sedating, mirtazapine (Remeron) or the antipsychotics quetiapine and olanzapine.

Beta blockers are used to treat anxiety disorders. They reduce heart rate and blood pressure by blocking adrenaline. These medications aren't typically used to treat anxiety alone, but they can be effective when combined with psychotherapy.

Psychological therapy can help you overcome negative thoughts and behaviours that cause anxiety. It can help you manage your anxiety and teach you how to cope. Based on the severity of your problem exposure therapy or cognitive behavior therapy could be suggested. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps you to overcome unhelpful and fearful thoughts, and to overcome your aversion to situations which trigger anxiety. Exposure therapy involves gradually increasing the level of anxiety-inducing situations until can cope with the stressors. It can be done in a group or individually. In both cases, it takes time to show results. Some people find that a combination of medication and psychotherapy is the best option. Some people find that medication alone is enough to manage their symptoms. It's crucial to tell your doctor about the things you're doing to control your symptoms.

Other Medical Treatments

While benzodiazepines and antidepressants are the most common treatments for anxiety, other drugs can help ease your symptoms as well. Antihistamines and beta blockers are sometimes prescribed natural remedies to treat anxiety methods to treat anxiety (additional hints) relieve anxiety.

These medications can help alleviate your symptoms by reducing or blocking the signals that trigger anxiety and stress. They're not a panacea. You'll still have to do other things to reduce your anxiety, like physical exercise or relaxation techniques, as well as psychotherapy.

Your doctor could first prescribe one of the "first choice" anxiety medications, which are SSRIs and SNRIs. They are the most effective medications for treating anxiety disorders according to research studies. SSRIs are usually found in sertraline (Zoloft) as well as the fluoxetine, citalopram and escitalopram. These drugs may cause mild side effects, like insomnia or nausea, however they typically disappear within 4-8 weeks. They are not addictive, and they do not increase the likelihood of suicidal ideas.

The benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam, diazepoxide and clonazepam (Valium) offer immediate relief from anxiety and panic attacks. However, they may cause side effects, such as drowsiness and dizziness. They can also cause problems with coordination and memory and even dependence. These are less popular than the older barbiturates, but they are equally effective.

Antihistamines like Vistaril (hydroxyzine) were originally created to treat allergies. However they also serve to ease anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine blocks the histamine receptors in the brain and may cause an energizing effect. It's not a controlled drug, so it doesn't have the same addiction risks like benzodiazepines.

Another type of medication that can help with anxiety is a class of medications known as anticonvulsants. They've been proven to reduce anxiety by interfering with the production and release of serotonin and dopamine. These medications may be used as part of a combination therapy or used to treat anxiety treatment without drugs in the short term. Your doctor will assess your medical history and symptoms to determine if these medications are appropriate for you. They will discuss the length of time you'll need these medicines and any potential negative side effects that might occur. Anxiety medications are only available by prescription, so it is necessary to see a psychiatrist to prescribe it.