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Meds That Treat Anxiety

Anxiety affects 40 million adults 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. They're not addictive, unlike benzodiazepines.

SSRIs

The most common anxiety medication is selective serotonin inhibits (SSRIs) which include citalopram, escitalopram, and fluoxetine. These medications are also used to treat depression as well as relieve symptoms of other anxiety disorders such as obsessive compulsive disorder. They can take up to a month before they begin to work.

These drugs work by increasing the amount of certain chemical transmitters in the brain. This includes serotonin and norepinephrine as well as dopamine. These medications are typically the first option to treat anxiety, though doctors may prescribe other forms of antidepressants, also known as benzodiazepines.

Antidepressants like duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine, (Effexor) are also used for anxiety. They are a bit different from SSRIs since they reduce norepinephrine, however at a lower rate than SSRIs. These medications take a long time to be effective and are more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) such as imipramine (Tofranil) are effective in treating certain anxiety disorders, including GAD. However, their drowsiness and other side effects are what make them less popular. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are a different kind of antidepressant that can be used to combat anxiety. However, their restrictions on diet and high risk of toxicity limit their use.

Benzodiazepines are frequently used to treat anxiety and panic attacks in the short-term, such as when waiting for SSRIs or SNRIs to begin working. These medications can cause addiction tolerance, sedation, and tolerance, as well as withdrawal symptoms like a depression, anxiety, and delirium. Benzodiazepines are typically found in alprazolam, clonazepam, and lorazepam.

Therapy is a crucial component of any treatment plan for anxiety. It aids you in better know your symptoms and their root causes. Many people find that therapy and medication both aid in coping. Some studies suggest that cognitive behavior therapy is just as effective as medications for anxiety. Consult your physician to determine what is the best treatment for health anxiety option for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines have a calming affect, reduce anxiety and relax tense muscle. They also alleviate symptoms of bodily stimulation related to fear (like heart rate, trembling or trembling), and promote sleep.

The way they work is through binding to inhibitory neurotransmitters like gamma-aminobutryic acids or GABA which is a receptor in the central nervous system. They increase the effects of GABA by activating its inhibitory effect on other neurotransmitters, and reducing the amount of messages that are sent to the amygdala, which is the brain's region which detects threats and gives the sensation of fear.

These medications can be used for short durations like when you experience a panic attack or if you are experiencing extreme anxiety. They can relieve symptoms within 30 to 60 minutes. Unlike SSRIs they don't stay in the body for long. They're fast-acting and usually work in a matter of hours, which makes them ideal for situations in which immediate relief is required (like during a flight or prior to giving an event in public).

They are addictive, which is why people are generally only prescribed them for up to 4 weeks at a time. They also lose their effectiveness after a period of time.

One of the reasons why benzodiazepines are so popular is that they are safe and have few adverse effects when compared to their predecessors like barbiturates and meprobamate. They are fast in the onset of action and are extremely effective as anxiolytics (anti-anxiety) as well as sedatives and anticonvulsants as well as as muscle relaxants.

Benzos are often blamed for the negative perceptions of anxiety that developed in the 1970s and 1980s, including the stigmatization of anxiety and the belief that benzodiazepine treatment leads to physical dependence. Despite this they play an important role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, particularly when used in conjunction with psychosocial interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy.

Benzos can interact with other drugs and cause unwanted side-effects, such as drowsiness or confusion. You should tell your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription, or herbal treatment for anxiety medications that you currently use or are planning to take. You can determine which medications are safe to take with benzodiazepines through the British National Formulary A-Z list of medication interactions.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants can be effective in treating anxiety and other mental disorders. 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 many antidepressants to treat other health ailments, too, such as eating disorders, some types of pain and bipolar disorder.

SSRIs are often prescribed as a first-line treatment for anxiety by doctors, but they might not work for all people. If they aren't working, doctors may try the older type of antidepressant known as tricyclic or tetracyclic antidepressants. These include amitriptyline and nortriptyline, clomipramine, trimipramine, doxepin and dothiepin or imipramine. They're less common than newer antidepressants, but still available. Your doctor may prescribe the antidepressant with a sedating effect, trazodone (Desyrel) at lower doses to treat anxiety or insomnia.

Nefazodone, a.k.a Ferdinand (Cymbalta), and duloxetine are also useful. They're also available in generic form. If they don't work, your doctor may suggest the sedating antidepressant mirtazapine (Remeron) or the antipsychotics quetiapine or olanzapine.

Other medications for anxiety disorders include beta blockers, which decrease the blood pressure and heart rate by preventing the action of adrenaline. These medications aren't typically used to treat anxiety by themselves however they can be beneficial when combined with psychotherapy.

Psychotherapy can assist you to change negative thoughts and behavior that contribute towards your anxiety. It can help you learn to manage your anxiety and develop coping strategies. Based on the severity of your situation exposure therapy or cognitive behavior therapy may be recommended. Cognitive behavioural therapy helps you develop the ability to confront negative thoughts, fearful thoughts and to overcome the fear of situations that cause your anxiety. The process involves increasing the anxiety provoking situations until they become manageable. It can be done either in a group, or by yourself. In both cases, results will take time to manifest. A combination of medication and psychological therapy is the best option for certain people. Others find that meds alone are enough to manage their symptoms. It's important to tell your doctor about the things you're doing to manage your symptoms.

Other Medical Treatments

Other medications can help relieve your symptoms. Antihistamines and beta blockers are sometimes prescribed to relieve anxiety.

These drugs correct an imbalance in your brain chemicals and can help alleviate your symptoms by reducing or blocking signals that can cause anxiety panic attack treatment and stress. However, they're not a cure all. You'll need to continue doing other things to reduce your anxiety, like physical exercise, relaxation techniques, and psychotherapy.

Your doctor may initially prescribe one of the "first first" anxiety medications, which are SSRIs and SNRIs. According to research, these drugs are the most effective for treating anxiety disorders. The most effective anxiety treatment common SSRIs include sertraline (Zoloft) and fluoxetine (Prozac) and Citropram (Celexa), and escitalopram (Lexapro). These drugs may cause mild side effects, like insomnia or nausea, however they typically disappear within 4-8 weeks. Unlike the benzodiazepines, they're not addictive and don't increase your risk for suicidal thoughts.

The benzodiazepines alprazolam (Xanax) and Clonazepam (Klonopin) and diazepoxide (Valium) offer immediate relief for anxiety and panic attacks however they can also cause negative effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, memory and coordination issues, as well as dependence. These medications are less well-known than older barbiturates but are equally effective.

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

Another type of medication that may help with anxiety is a class of medications known as anticonvulsants. They have been proven to reduce anxiety by interfering with the production and release of serotonin and dopamine. They can be prescribed in conjunction with other medications or as a short-term treatment for anxiety. Your doctor will examine your medical history and symptoms to determine if these medications are appropriate for you. They will also discuss the duration of time you'll need these medications as well as any possible negative side effects that might occur. Anxiety medication is only available by prescription, which means that you'll need a psychiatrist to prescribe it.