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Meds That Treat Anxiety

Anxiety affects 40 million people in the United States. It's extremely treatable with numerous medications 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're not addictive, unlike benzodiazepines.

SSRIs

The most common anxiety medication is selective serotonin reuptake inhibits (SSRIs) which include citalopram, escitalopram, and fluoxetine. These medications also help with depression, and can alleviate symptoms associated with other anxiety disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It could 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. These drugs are usually the first choice to treat anxiety, though doctors may prescribe other forms of antidepressants, also known as benzodiazepines.

Antidepressants, such as duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine, (Effexor) are also used to treat anxiety. They work a little differently from SSRIs, as they also reduce the reabsorption rate of norepinephrine and serotonin, although at lower levels than SSRIs. They may take a few days to take effects, and also tend to be more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants like imipramine Tofranil, can be effective in treating anxiety disorders. However, their drowsiness and other adverse reactions are what make them less popular. Another type of antidepressant, monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs), can also be used to treat anxiety. Their high toxicity risk and restrictions on diets limit their use.

Benzodiazepines can be used treat 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, and even delirium. Benzodiazepines are commonly found in alprazolam as well as clonazepam and lorazepam.

Therapy is a crucial component of any treatment plan for anxiety. It assists you to better know your symptoms and their root causes. Many people discover that both therapy and medication aid to manage anxiety. Certain studies have demonstrated that cognitive behavioral therapy can be just as effective as anxiety medications. Talk with your physician about your options and which is the best option for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines can have a calming effect they reduce anxiety and relax tense muscle. They also reduce symptoms of bodily arousal due to fear (like heart rate and trembling) and encourage sleep.

They work by binding inhibitory neurons, like GABA or gamma aminobutryic acids at receptors in the central nervous system. They enhance GABA's effects by facilitating the inhibitory effects of GABA on other neurotransmitters and by reducing the volume of messages sent to the amygdala. This is a region of the brain that is able to detect threats and produces a feeling of anxiety.

These medicines are often employed for short periods of time for instance, during panic attacks or an anxiety attack. They may ease the symptoms within 30 to 90 minutes of taking them. In contrast to SSRIs which are a long-lasting medication, benzodiazepines do not stay in the body for very long. They're quick-acting and can be used within a few hours. This makes them suitable for situations when immediate relief is needed (such for instance, on an airplane or before a presentation in public).

They are addictive, which is why people are usually prescribed them for up to 4 weeks at one time. After that period they also become less effective.

One of the reasons why benzodiazepines became so popular is they were efficient and had a few adverse effects when compared to their predecessors, like meprobamate and barbiturates. They are effective and have a rapid onset, and can be employed as anxiolytics to decrease anxiety. They can also be employed as sedatives, anticonvulsants, and muscle relaxants.

Benzos were blamed for the negative attitudes towards anxiety that were developed during the 1970s and 80s which included the reduction of the disorder, and the perception that benzodiazepine treatments result in physical dependence. Despite this the fact that benzodiazepines play a crucial role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, especially when they are combined with psychosocial interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapies.

Benzos can interact with other medications and cause unwanted side-effects, such as drowsiness or confusion. It is essential to inform your doctor be aware of any other prescription, non-prescription, or herbal medication you're contemplating or are taking. Take a look at the British National Formulary A to Z list of interactions with medications to determine which medications are safe when taken with benzodiazepines.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants are 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 antidepressants for other health conditions, including eating disorders, bipolar disorder and certain kinds of pain.

SSRIs are usually prescribed as a first-line treatment for anxiety by doctors, however they might not work for all people. If these antidepressants aren't working doctors may suggest an older version called a tetracyclic or tricyclic antidepressant. They include amitriptyline, nortriptyline, as well as Clomipramine. These antidepressants aren't as common but are still available. You can ask your doctor to prescribe the sedating antidepressant, trazodone(Desyrel) in lower doses if you are experiencing anxiety or sleep problems.

Other antidepressants that could help are the nefazodone (Ferdinand) and duloxetine (Cymbalta). These medications are also available in generic form. If they aren't helping your doctor, he may suggest the antipsychotics quetiapine and Olanzapine or the tranquilizing antidepressant Mirtazapine.

Medications for other anxiety disorders include beta blockers, which decrease the blood pressure and heart rate by preventing the action of adrenaline. These drugs aren't usually used to treat anxiety on their own, but can be helpful when paired with psychotherapy.

Psychotherapy can assist you to change negative thoughts and behavior that can cause anxiety. It can teach you to manage your anxiety and teach you coping skills. Depending on your health condition, you could receive exposure or cognitive behavioural therapy. Cognitive behavioural therapy helps you learn to challenge unhelpful thoughts, fears and avoidance of situations that trigger anxiety. The process involves increasing the level of anxiety provoking situations until they are manageable. This can be done in a single session or in smaller groups. In both cases it takes time to demonstrate results. Some people find that the combination of psychotherapy and medication is the best option. However, others find that meds alone are enough to manage their symptoms. Tell your doctor how you manage your symptoms.

Other Medicines

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

These drugs can help you alleviate your symptoms by reducing or blocking the signals that cause anxiety and stress. They're not a cure-all. You'll still need to do other things to manage your anxiety, including physical exercise, relaxation techniques, and psychotherapy.

Your doctor may initially prescribe one of the "first choices" anxiety medication, which includes SSRIs and SNRIs. These are the most effective drugs for treating anxiety disorders according to research studies. The most commonly used SSRIs include sertraline (Zoloft), the fluoxetine (Prozac), citalopram (Celexa), and escitalopram (Lexapro). These drugs may cause minor adverse effects, like insomnia or nausea, but they usually subside within 4-8 weeks. They aren't addictive and they do not increase the likelihood of suicidal thoughts.

The benzodiazepines alprazolam (Xanax) as well as Clonazepam (Klonopin) and diazepoxide (Valium) provide immediate relief from panic attacks and anxiety treatment groups However, they can cause side effects, including dizziness, drowsiness and coordination issues, as well as dependence. They're a less popular choice than the older barbiturates, however, they're equally effective.

Antihistamines, like Vistaril (hydroxyzine), were designed to help with allergies, but they're also sometimes used to ease anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine block histamine receptors within the brain, and can trigger the body to relax. It is not a controlled substance and therefore does not have the same risks of addiction as benzodiazepines.

Another type of medication that can aid with anxiety is a class of medications known as anticonvulsants. They have been shown to relieve anxiety by affecting the release and production of dopamine and serotonin. They may be prescribed in conjunction with other medications or as a short-term treatment for anxiety. Your doctor will evaluate your health history and symptoms to determine if these medications are suitable for you. They'll also discuss how long you should take them and any possible negative side effects. Anxiety medications are only available through prescription, so you'll need a psychiatrist to prescribe it.