Meds That Treat Anxiety

Anxiety affects 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. Contrary to benzodiazepines they're not addictive.

SSRIs

The most popular anxiety medication is selective serotonin inhibits (SSRIs) which include citalopram, escitalopram, and fluoxetine. These drugs also treat depression, and they can ease symptoms associated with other anxiety disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It could take up to one month before they begin working.

They help by increasing the levels of certain chemical transmitters that are present 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 also prescribe other types of antidepressants and benzodiazepines.

Antidepressants such as 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 level than SSRIs. These medications may take a few days to begin taking effects, and they tend to be more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants like imipramine Tofranil are effective in treating anxiety disorders. However their drowsiness and other side effects make them less well-known. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are another type of antidepressant that can be used to treat anxiety. They are a high risk of toxicity and the restriction on dietary intake restrict their use.

Benzodiazepines are used to combat panic attacks and anxiety in the short-term while waiting for SSRIs and SNRIs. These medications can cause tolerance and addiction, sedation and apathy and withdrawal reactions that can cause rebound anxiety, depression and even delusions. Benzodiazepines can be found in alprazolam as well as clonazepam and lorazepam.

Therapy is an essential part of any treatment for anxiety. It helps you to better understand your symptoms and their root causes. Many people discover that both therapy and medication can help to manage anxiety. Certain studies have demonstrated that cognitive behavioral therapy can be just as effective as medications for anxiety. Talk with your physician about your options and determine what might be best for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines have a calming effect, decrease natural anxiety treatments and relax muscles that are tense. They also ease symptoms of bodily stress related to fear (like heart rate or shaking) and encourage sleep.

The way they work is by binding to inhibitory neurotransmitters such as gamma-aminobutryic acid or GABA which is a receptor 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 that are sent to the amygdala. This is a part of the brain that is able to detect the threat and triggers a feeling of anxiety.

These medications are sometimes used for short periods for instance, during a panic attack or severe anxiety episodes. They can help relieve symptoms in 30 to 60 minutes. Benzodiazepines are, in contrast to SSRIs don't stay in the body for a long time. They're quick-acting and typically take effect in just a couple of hours, making them suitable for situations where immediate relief is required (like during an airplane flight or before giving a public presentation).

They can you treat anxiety without medication be addictive, so it is recommended to only prescribe them for up to 4 weeks at a time. They also lose effectiveness after a period of time.

One of the reasons why benzodiazepines are so popular is that they are effective and have minimal negative effects compared to predecessors, such as barbiturates or meprobamate. They are efficient and have a rapid onset, and can be used as anxiolytics to reduce anxiety. They can also be employed as sedatives, anticonvulsants and muscle relaxants.

Benzos have been blamed for the negative perceptions of anxiety that developed in the 1970s and 1980s. This included the denial of the disorder and the belief that benzodiazepine treatment leads to physical dependence. However, benzodiazepines continue to play a major role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, especially when combined with psychosocial interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy or interpersonal therapies.

Benzos may interact with other medications and cause unwanted side effects, such as drowsiness and disorientation. It is important to inform your doctor know about any other prescription, non-prescription, or herbal medicines you're contemplating or are taking. Take a look at the British National Formulary A to Z list of medication interactions to find out what medicines are safe to take with benzodiazepines.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants can reduce anxiety and other mental health problems. 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.

Most doctors prescribe SSRIs as a first-line treatment for anxiety, however these medications might not be effective for all people. If they don't work, doctors may look at the more traditional antidepressant, known as tricyclic or tetracyclic antidepressants. This includes amitriptyline, nortriptyline, clomipramine and trimipramine, doxepin and dothiepin or imipramine. These antidepressants are less common but they are still readily available. You can also ask your doctor to prescribe the sedating antidepressant, trazodone(Desyrel) in lower doses in case you are having sleep problems or anxiety.

Other antidepressants that could aid are the nefazodone (Ferdinand) and duloxetine (Cymbalta). These drugs are also available in generic form. If they aren't working, your physician can try the sedating antidepressant mirtazapine (Remeron) or the antipsychotics olanzapine and quetiapine.

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

Psychological therapy can help you change negative thoughts and behaviors that contribute to your anxiety. It can help you learn to manage your anxiety and develop coping skills. Based on the severity of your situation, exposure therapy or cognitive behavior therapy could be suggested. Cognitive behavioural therapy helps you develop the ability to confront negative, fearful thoughts and overcome avoidance of situations that trigger your anxiety. Exposure therapy involves gradually increasing the severity of anxiety-inducing situations until are able to manage the stressors. This can be done in a single session or in a small group. In both cases, it takes time to achieve results. A combination of medications and psychological therapy is the best choice for some individuals. Some people find that medication alone is enough to control symptoms. Inform your doctor about how to treat anxiety after surgery you manage your symptoms.

Other Medical Treatments

While benzodiazepines and antidepressants are the most commonly prescribed treatments for anxiety, other medications can help alleviate your symptoms as well. Beta blockers, antihistamines, and buspirone are often prescribed to reduce anxiety.

These drugs can help you reduce your symptoms, by lowering or blocking the signals that trigger anxiety and stress. They're not a panacea. You'll still need to do other things to control your anxiety, like physical exercise or relaxation techniques, as well as psychological therapy.

Your doctor could first prescribe one of the "first choices" anxiety medication, which includes SSRIs and SNRIs. These are the most effective medications to treat anxiety disorders, according to research studies. Common SSRIs include sertraline (Zoloft), fluoxetine (Prozac) and citalopram (Celexa), and escitalopram (Lexapro). These medications might have mild side effects, like nausea or insomnia, but they usually subside within 4-8 weeks. In contrast to benzodiazepines, these are not addictive and don't increase the risk of suicidal thoughts.

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

Antihistamines such as Vistaril (hydroxyzine) were originally created to treat allergies. However they can also be used to ease anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine can have a calming affect by blocking histamine receptors. It's not a controlled drug which means it doesn't carry the same addiction risks as benzodiazepines.

Anticonvulsants are a different type of medication which can help with online anxiety treatment. They have been found to reduce anxiety by interfering in the production and release dopamine and sérotonin. They can be prescribed in combination with other medications or as a short-term treatment for anxiety. Your doctor will evaluate your symptoms and health history to determine if these drugs are right for you. They will also discuss the duration of time you'll need to take these medications as well as any possible adverse effects that could occur. Anxiety medications are only available through prescription, so it is necessary to see a psychiatrist to prescribe it.