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Meds That Treat Anxiety

Anxiety is among the most frequent mental health issues, affecting 40 million adults in the United States. There are a variety of medications available to treat anxiety.

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 medications are selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro) and fluoxetine (Prozac). These medications are also used to treat depression and alleviate symptoms of other anxiety disorders, such as obsessive compulsive disorder. They may take up to a month for them to begin to work.

These drugs help by increasing the levels of certain chemical transmitters that are present in the brain. This includes serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. These drugs are usually the first option to treat anxiety, although doctors may also prescribe other kinds 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 than SSRIs in that they reduce the reabsorption rate of norepinephrine and serotonin, though at lower levels than SSRIs. These medicines may take some time to start taking effect, and they also are more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants like imipramine Tofranil, can be effective for treating anxiety disorders. Their drowsiness, and other side effects make them less popular. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are a different kind of antidepressant that can be used to combat anxiety. They are a high risk of toxicity and restrictions on diets make them unsuitable for use.

Benzodiazepines can be used to treat anxiety and panic attacks in the short-term in the meantime, while waiting for SSRIs and SNRIs. These medications can trigger dependence tolerance, sedation, and tolerance and withdrawal symptoms such as a rebound anxiety, depression and delirium. The most common benzodiazepines are alprazolam (Xanax) and Clonazepam (Klonopin) and lorazepam (Ativan).

Therapy is an important part of a treatment plan for anxiety because it allows you to understand your symptoms and their reasons. Many people discover that both therapy and medication help them manage their anxiety. In fact, some studies suggest that cognitive behavioral therapy works just as well as medication to treat anxiety for anxiety. Speak to your doctor to find out what's best for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines can have a calming effect, reduce anxiety and relax tense muscle. They also reduce symptoms of bodily arousal related to fear (like heart rate and shaking) and help promote sleep.

The way they function is through binding to inhibitory neurotransmitters, like gamma-aminobutryic acid, or GABA and interacting with receptors in the central nervous system. They boost the effects of GABA by facilitating the inhibitory effects of GABA on other neurotransmitters and by reducing the volume of messages sent to amygdala. It is a part of the brain that is able to detect the threat and triggers a feeling of anxiety.

These medications are typically employed for short periods of time like a panic attack or severe anxiety attack. They may ease the symptoms within 30 to 90 minutes of taking them. Unlike SSRIs they don't stay in the body for a long time. They're fast-acting and can be used within a few hours. This makes them perfect for situations when quick relief is required (such as during a flight or before a presentation in public).

They can be addictive, so people are generally only prescribed them for up to 4 weeks at each time. They also lose their effectiveness after a period of time.

One of the main reasons why benzodiazepines are so popular is because they are effective and have fewer negative effects compared to predecessors, such as barbiturates or meprobamate. They have a quick time to begin their action and are extremely effective as anxiolytics (anti-anxiety), sedatives and anticonvulsants as well as as muscle relaxants.

Benzos are often blamed for the negative attitudes towards anxiety chest pain treatment that emerged in the 1970s and 1980s, including the trivialization of the disorder and the perception that benzodiazepine treatment causes physical dependence. Despite this however, benzodiazepines still play a significant role in the treatment for anxiety disorders, especially when combined with psychosocial interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapies.

Benzos can interact with other medications and cause unwanted side-effects, like drowsiness or confusion. It's important to let your doctor be aware of any other prescription, non-prescription or herbal medicines you are considering or taking. You can find out which medications are safe to use with benzodiazepines by looking up the British National Formulary A-Z list of medication interactions.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants can be effective in treating anxiety and mental illnesses. 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 conditions, too, such as eating disorders, certain kinds of pain, and bipolar disorder.

The majority of doctors prescribe SSRIs as a first-line home treatment for anxiety attack for anxiety, but these medications may not be appropriate for all people. If they don't work doctors might consider a different type of antidepressant, known as tricyclic or tetracyclic an antidepressant. These include amitriptyline and nortriptyline, clomipramine, trimipramine, doxepin and dothiepin or imipramine. They're not as popular as the latest antidepressants, yet they're still available. Your doctor may also prescribe the antidepressant that sedates, trazodone (Desyrel) at lower doses for anxiety or sleep.

Nefazodone, also known as Ferdinand (Cymbalta), and duloxetine may also be useful. These drugs are also available in generic forms. If they do not work, your doctor might suggest a sedating antidepressant mirtazapine (Remeron) or the antipsychotics olanzapine and quetiapine.

Other medications for anxiety disorders include beta blockers, which decrease the heart rate and blood pressure by blocking the actions of adrenaline. These drugs are not usually used to treat anxiety alone, but they can be effective when coupled with psychotherapy.

Psychotherapy can help you to change negative thoughts and behaviors that contribute towards your anxiety. It can teach you to control your anxiety and learn how to cope. Depending on the severity of your situation, exposure therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy may be recommended. Cognitive behavioural therapy teaches you to confront fears and thoughts that are harmful, and to overcome your aversion to situations that trigger anxiety. The process involves increasing the level of anxiety provoking situations until they can be managed. It can be done either individually or in a small group. In both instances, it takes time to demonstrate results. Some people find that a combination of psychotherapy and medication is the best choice. Some people find that meds alone are sufficient to control their symptoms. Discuss with your doctor how you manage your symptoms.

Other Medicines

Other medications can help alleviate your symptoms. Beta blockers, antihistamines and buspirone are all sometimes prescribed to alleviate anxiety.

These medications correct an imbalance in the brain's chemicals and can help ease your symptoms by lowering or blocking signals that can cause anxiety and stress. They are not a panacea. You will still need to do things to reduce anxiety, such as exercises, relaxation techniques and psychotherapy.

Your doctor may first prescribe one of the "first first" anxiety medications, which include SSRIs and SNRIs. According to research, these drugs are the most effective in treating anxiety disorders. The most common SSRIs include sertraline (Zoloft), fluoxetine (Prozac) and citalopram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro). These medications may have minor side effects, such as insomnia or nausea, however they typically subside within 4-8 weeks. They aren't addictive, and they do not increase the likelihood of suicidal ideas.

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

Antihistamines like Vistaril (hydroxyzine), were designed to help with allergies however, they're also employed to alleviate anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine has a calming effect because it blocks histamine receptors. It is not a controlled substance, so it does not carry the same risk of addiction as benzodiazepines.

Another type of medication that can aid with anxiety is a class of medications known as anticonvulsants. They have been proven to reduce anxiety by affecting the release and production of serotonin and dopamine. They may be prescribed in combination with other drugs or as a temporary treatment for anxiety. Your doctor will examine your medical history and symptoms to determine if these medicines are suitable for you. They will also discuss the duration of time you should take these medications as well as any possible negative side effects that might occur. Anxiety medications are only available on prescription, so you'll need to visit a psychiatrist to get them.