Meds That Treat Anxiety

Anxiety is one of the most common mental health conditions that affects 40 million adults in the United States. A variety of medications are 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. Unlike benzodiazepines, they're not addictive.

SSRIs

The most common anxiety medications are selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) which include citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro) and fluoxetine (Prozac). These drugs can also be used to treat depression and relieve symptoms of other anxiety disorders, such as obsessive compulsive disorder. It could take up to one month for them to start working.

They help by increasing the levels of certain chemical transmitters within the brain. This includes serotonin and norepinephrine as well as dopamine. They're typically the first treatment option for anxiety, though 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 also used to treat anxiety. They function a bit differently than SSRIs, as they also reduce the reabsorption of norepinephrine and serotonin, though at lower levels than SSRIs. They can take a while to start taking effect, and they also are more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) like imipramine (Tofranil) can be effective in treating certain anxiety disorders, including GAD. However their drowsiness and other side effects make them less popular. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are another kind of antidepressant used to treat anxiety. They are a high risk of toxicity and dietary restrictions limit their use.

Benzodiazepines are commonly used to treat panic attacks and anxiety in the short term like when you wait for SSRIs or SNRIs to kick in. These drugs can trigger tolerance addiction, sedation and withdrawal reactions that can cause rebound depression, anxiety, and even delusions. Benzodiazepines are commonly found in alprazolam as well as clonazepam and lorazepam.

Therapy is a crucial component of any treatment plan for anxiety. It helps you to better understand your symptoms and their root causes. Many people discover that both therapy and medication aid them cope with anxiety. Some studies suggest that cognitive therapy is as effective as medication for anxiety. Talk to your doctor about your options and determine what is the best option for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines produce an calming effect, reduce anxiety and relax muscles that are tense. They also alleviate symptoms of bodily arousal due to fear (like heart rate, trembling and trembling) and help promote sleep.

They function by binding to inhibitory neurons, such as GABA or gamma aminobutryic acids, at receptors within 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, an area of the brain that assesses threats and produces the feeling of fear.

These medications can be used for short durations of time like when a panic attack occurs or if you are experiencing severe anxiety. They may help relieve symptoms within 30 to 90 minutes of taking them. Benzodiazepines are different from SSRIs do not stay in the body for long. They're quick-acting and typically perform in just a few hours, which makes them ideal for situations in which you require quick relief (like on a plane flight or prior to giving a public presentation).

They are addictive, and people are usually prescribed them for up to four weeks at one time. They also lose their effectiveness after a certain period of time.

One of the main reasons benzodiazepines became so popular is that they were effective and had a few adverse effects when compared to their predecessors, like meprobamate or barbiturates. They are efficient and have a rapid start, 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 1980s which included the reduction of the disorder, and the perception that benzodiazepine treatments lead to physical dependence. Despite this the fact that benzodiazepines play a significant role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, particularly when they are combined with psychosocial interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or interpersonal therapies.

Benzos can interact with other medications and cause unwanted side-effects, such as drowsiness or confusion. It is recommended to inform your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription or herbal medicines you currently take or plan to take. Go through the British National Formulary A to Z list of medication interactions to find out which medications are safe with benzodiazepines.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants are 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 several antidepressants to treat other health ailments, too, such as eating disorders, certain kinds of pain and bipolar disorder.

The majority of doctors prescribe SSRIs as a first-line treatment for anxiety, but these medications might not be suitable for everyone. If they don't work doctors can try the older type of antidepressant, known as a tricyclic or tetracyclic antidepressant. These include amitriptyline and nortriptyline, clomipramine and trimipramine, doxepin and dothiepin or imipramine. These antidepressants are not as popular but are still accessible. You can ask your doctor to prescribe the sedating antidepressant, trazodone(Desyrel), at lower doses in case you are having sleep problems or anxiety.

Nefazodone, also known as Ferdinand (Cymbalta), and duloxetine are also beneficial. These medications are also available in generic forms. If they don't work, your doctor can try the tranquilizing antidepressant mirtazapine (Remeron) or the antipsychotics quetiapine and olanzapine.

Beta blockers are used to treat anxiety disorders. They lower blood pressure and heart rate by blocking adrenaline. These medications are not typically used to treat anxiety by themselves however they can be effective if coupled with psychotherapy.

Psychological therapy can help you change negative thoughts and behaviours that contribute to your anxiety. It can teach you to manage your anxiety and teach you coping skills. Depending on the severity of your problem, exposure therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy may be recommended. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps you to challenge negative and fearful thoughts and overcome your avoidance of situations that trigger anxiety. Exposure therapy involves gradually increasing the severity of anxiety-inducing situations until are able to handle them. It can be performed in a group or individually. In both cases, it takes time to achieve results. A combination of medications and psychological therapy is the best choice for certain people. Others find that medication alone is sufficient to control their symptoms. It's important to tell your doctor what you're doing to control your symptoms.

Other Medications

While benzodiazepines and antidepressants are the most frequently prescribed medications to treat anxiety, other medications can ease your symptoms too. Antihistamines, beta blockers, and buspirone are often prescribed ways to treat anxiety without medication alleviate anxiety.

These medications correct an imbalance in your brain chemicals and can help ease your symptoms by lowering or blocking the signals that trigger anxiety and stress. But, they're not a cure all. You'll still have to do other things to manage anxiety, such as exercises or relaxation techniques, as well as psychotherapy.

Your doctor could first prescribe one of the "first choices" anxiety medication, which includes SSRIs and SNRIs. According to studies, these medications are the most effective in treating anxiety disorders. The most commonly used SSRIs include sertraline (Zoloft) as well as fluoxetine (Prozac) and Citropram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro). These drugs can cause minor side effects, such as nausea and insomnia, but they usually disappear within 4-8 weeks. Contrary to benzodiazepines they're not addictive and won't increase your risk of having suicidal ideas.

The benzodiazepines, alprazolam (Xanax) and clonazepam (Klonopin), and diazepoxide (Valium) offer immediate relief from anxiety and panic attacks, but they can have adverse effects, such as dizziness, drowsiness, memory and coordination problems, and dependence. They're less well-known than the barbiturates of the past, but are just as effective.

Antihistamines, such as Vistaril (hydroxyzine) were initially created to treat allergies. However they can also be used to reduce anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine may have a relaxing affect by blocking histamine receptors. It's not a controlled substance which means it doesn't carry the same dangers of addiction as benzodiazepines.

Anticonvulsants are an additional kind of medication that can be used to treat anxiety. They have been shown to reduce anxiety by inhibiting the production of and release dopamine and sérotonin. These medications are often used as part of a combination therapy or used to treat anxiety in the short-term. Your doctor will assess your health history and symptoms to determine if these medicines are appropriate for you. They will also discuss the duration of time you'll need these medications as well as any possible side effects that may occur. Anxiety medications are only available through prescription, so you'll need a psychiatrist to prescribe it.