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Meds That Treat Anxiety

Anxiety affects 40 million adults in the United States. It is extremely treatable, and there are 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. Unlike benzodiazepines, they're not addictive.

SSRIs

The most common anxiety medication is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) which include citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro) and fluoxetine (Prozac). These medications also help with depression, and can ease the symptoms of anxiety disorders, like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). They can take up to a month for them to begin working.

These drugs are effective by increasing the quantity of certain chemical transmitters within the brain. This includes serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. They are usually the first option for anxiety, though doctors may also prescribe other kinds of antidepressants and benzodiazepines.

Another class of antidepressants, known as serotonin and norepinephrine receptor inhibitors (SNRIs) such as duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor), are also used to treat anxiety. They operate a bit differently than SSRIs because they reduce the reabsorption of norepinephrine as well as serotonin, though at lower levels than SSRIs. These medications may take some time to start taking effects, and they tend to be more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), such as imipramine (Tofranil), can be effective in treating certain anxiety disorders, particularly GAD. Their drowsiness, and other side effects are what make them less well-liked. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are another kind of antidepressant used to treat anxiety. Their high toxicity risk and the restriction on dietary intake limit their use.

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

Therapy is a crucial component of any treatment for anxiety. It aids you in better be aware of your symptoms and causes. Many people find that medication and therapy both aid in coping. Some studies have shown that cognitive behavioral therapy can be just as effective as medications for anxiety. Talk to your doctor about your options and determine what could be the best choice for you.

Benzodiazepines

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

The way they function is through binding to inhibitory neurotransmitters, like gamma-aminobutryic acid, or GABA, at receptors in the central nervous system. They enhance GABA's effects by facilitating the inhibitory effects of GABA on other neurotransmitters and reducing the number of messages sent to the amygdala. It is a part of the brain which assesses threats and creates a sense of fear.

These medications are sometimes employed for short periods of time like an attack of panic or a severe anxiety attack. They may ease the symptoms within 30 to 90 minutes after taking them. Benzodiazepines are, in contrast to SSRIs don't stay in the body for a long time. They're fast-acting and usually work in a matter of hours, making them suitable for situations in which you require quick relief (like on a plane flight or before an event in public).

They are addictive, which is why it is recommended to only prescribe them for a maximum of 4 weeks at each time. After that time they also lose their effectiveness.

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

Benzos were blamed for the negative attitudes towards anxiety that developed in the 1970s and 80s, including the minimization of the disorder, as well as the belief that benzodiazepine treatment result in physical dependence. Despite this, they continue to play an important role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, specifically when used in combination with psychosocial interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy.

Benzos can interact with other medications and trigger unwanted side effects, like drowsiness or confusion. You should tell your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription or herbal medicines you currently take or plan to take. You can find out which medications are safe to take with benzodiazepines through the British National Formulary A-Z list for medication interactions.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants can reduce 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 a variety of antidepressants to treat other health conditions as well, including eating disorders, certain kinds of pain and bipolar disorder.

SSRIs are usually prescribed as a first-line natural treatment for anxiety and depression option for anxiety by doctors, but they might not be effective for everyone. If these antidepressants aren't working the doctor might suggest an older form of medication known as a tetracyclic, or tricyclic antidepressant. They include amitriptyline, nortriptyline and Clomipramine. These antidepressants are not as popular but still available. Your doctor can also 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 may also be useful. They're also available in generic form. If they don't help, your doctor may try the antipsychotics quetiapine or olanzapine or the sedating antidepressant Mirtazapine.

Treatments for other anxiety disorders include beta blockers that reduce the blood pressure and heart rate by preventing the action of adrenaline. These drugs are not usually used to treat anxiety by themselves, but they can be effective if coupled with psychotherapy.

Psychotherapy can assist you to change negative thoughts and behaviors that contribute towards your anxiety. It will help you learn to manage your anxiety and build coping skills. Depending on your situation, you may receive cognitive behavioural therapy or exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy teaches you to challenge negative and fearful thoughts and overcome your fear of situations that cause anxiety. Exposure therapy involves gradually increasing the level of anxiety-inducing situations until you are able to manage the stressors. It can be done in a group or individually. In both cases it takes time to achieve results. A combination of medications and psychological therapy is the best option for some people. Some people find that medication alone is enough to control 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 commonly prescribed medications to treat anxiety, other medications can ease your symptoms too. Beta blockers, antihistamines, and buspirone are all prescribed to alleviate anxiety.

These medications can help ease your symptoms, by lowering or blocking the signals that trigger stress and fear. They're not a panacea. You'll still need to do other things to manage your anxiety, like exercises, relaxation techniques, and psychological therapy.

Your doctor could first prescribe one of the "first choice" anxiety medications, which are SSRIs and SNRIs. These are the most effective medications for treating anxiety disorders, according to research studies. The most commonly used SSRIs include sertraline (Zoloft) and the fluoxetine (Prozac), citalopram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro). These medications can cause mild side effects such as nausea and insomnia, but they usually disappear within 4-8 weeks. They are not addictive, and they don't increase the risk of suicidal thoughts.

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

Antihistamines, like Vistaril (hydroxyzine) are created to treat allergies, but they're also sometimes used to ease anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine has a calming effect because it blocks histamine receptors. It's not a controlled drug which means it doesn't carry the same risks of addiction like benzodiazepines.

Anticonvulsants are a different kind of medication that can be used to treat anxiety. They have been proven to reduce anxiety through blocking the production and release of dopamine as well as sérotonin. They might be prescribed in conjunction with other drugs or as a temporary treatment for anxiety. Your doctor will evaluate your symptoms and health history to determine if these drugs are appropriate for you. They'll also discuss the length of time you should take them for and any potential adverse effects. Anxiety medications can only be purchased on prescription, so you'll need to visit a psychiatrist before you can get these medications.