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Meds That Treat Anxiety

Anxiety affects 40 million adults in the United States. It's highly 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. In contrast to benzodiazepines, they're addictive.

SSRIs

The most popular anxiety medication is selective serotonin inhibits (SSRIs) comprising citalopram, escitalopram, and fluoxetine. These drugs are also used to treat depression as well as relieve symptoms of other anxiety disorders such as obsessive compulsive disorder. They may take up to a month to start working.

These drugs work by boosting the production of certain chemical messengers within the brain, such as serotonin and norepinephrine. They are usually the first option for anxiety, but doctors also employ other kinds of antidepressants as well as benzodiazepines.

Antidepressants like duloxetine (Cymbalta), and venlafaxine, (Effexor) are also used to treat anxiety. They are a bit different from SSRIs since they reduce norepinephrine, but at a lower rate than SSRIs. These medicines take a long time to be effective and are more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants, like imipramine Tofranil, can be effective for treating anxiety disorders. Their drowsiness, along with other adverse effects, make them less popular. Another kind of antidepressant, monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs), can also be used to combat anxiety. Their high toxicity risk and restrictions on diets limit their use.

Benzodiazepines are used to treat panic attacks and anxiety in the short-term in the meantime, while waiting for SSRIs and SNRIs. These medications can trigger dependence tolerance, sedation, and tolerance as well as withdrawal symptoms like a rebound anxiety, depression, and delirium. Benzodiazepines are typically found in alprazolam, clonazepam, and lorazepam.

Therapy is a crucial component of a treatment plan for anxiety, as it helps you discover more about the symptoms and the causes. Many people discover that both therapy and medication can help to manage anxiety. In fact, some studies suggest that cognitive behavioral therapy is just as effective as medications for anxiety. Talk with your physician about your options and determine what could be the best choice for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines have a calming effect, reduce anxiety and relax muscles that are tight. They also alleviate symptoms of bodily arousal due to fear (like heart rate, trembling and trembling) and encourage sleep.

The way they work is by binding to inhibitory neurotransmitters, like gamma-aminobutryic acid, or GABA which is a receptor in the central nervous system. They enhance GABA's effects by facilitating the inhibitory effect of GABA on other neurotransmitters, and by reducing the volume of messages sent to amygdala. This is a part of the brain that evaluates threats and creates a sense of fear.

These medications can be used for short durations of time, such as when a panic attack occurs or when you experience extreme anxiety. They can help relieve symptoms in 30 to 60 minutes. Contrary to SSRIs which are a long-lasting medication, benzodiazepines do not stay in the body for long. They're fast-acting and usually take effect in just a couple of hours, making them suitable for situations in which you require quick relief (like during a flight or before an event in public).

They can be addictive, so it is recommended to only prescribe them for a maximum of 4 weeks at each time. They also lose effectiveness after a certain period of time.

One of the main reasons the benzodiazepines became so well-known is that they worked and had minimal side effects when compared with their predecessors like meprobamate or barbiturates. They are effective 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 were blamed for negative attitudes towards anxiety that developed in the 1970s and 1980s which included the reduction of the disorder, and the perception that benzodiazepine therapies can lead to physical dependence. Despite this, they continue to play a significant role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, especially when used in combination with psychosocial interventions like cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy.

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

Antidepressants

Antidepressants are effective in treating anxiety and mental illnesses. According to the anxiety treatment non medication 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 for other health ailments, too, such as eating disorders, certain types of pain, and bipolar disorder.

The majority of doctors prescribe SSRIs as a first-line treatment for anxiety, however these medications might 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, nortriptyline, clomipramine, dothiepin, doxepin, trimipramine or imipramine. They're less common than newer antidepressants but are still accessible. You may also ask your physician to prescribe the sedating antidepressant, trazodone(Desyrel) in lower doses in case you are having sleep problems or anxiety.

Nefazodone, also referred to as Ferdinand (Cymbalta), and duloxetine can also be helpful. They're also available in generic forms. If they don't help, your doctor may try the antipsychotics quetiapine and Olanzapine or the sedative antidepressant Mirtazapine.

Beta blockers are used to treat other anxiety disorders. They lower blood pressure and heart rate by blocking adrenaline. These drugs are not usually used to treat anxiety alone however they can be effective if used in conjunction with psychotherapy.

Psychotherapy can assist you to change negative thoughts and behavior that cause anxiety. It can teach you to control your anxiety and learn how to cope. Based on the severity of your situation exposure therapy or cognitive behavior therapy may be recommended. Cognitive behavioural therapy assists you to overcome negative thoughts, fears and avoidance of situations that trigger your anxiety. The process involves increasing the anxiety provoking situations until they can be managed. It can be performed in a group or individually. In both instances, results will take time to manifest. A combination of medication and psychotherapy therapy is the best option for some individuals. However, others discover that medications alone are sufficient to treat their symptoms. It's crucial to tell your doctor what you're doing to control your symptoms.

Other Medicines

Other medications can also help relieve your symptoms. Beta blockers and antihistamines are sometimes prescribed to relieve anxiety.

These drugs correct an imbalance in your brain's chemical balance and can alleviate symptoms by reducing or blocking the signals that trigger stress and fear. They're not a panacea. You'll need to continue doing other things to reduce your anxiety, like exercises as well as relaxation techniques and psychotherapy.

Your doctor might initially prescribe one of the "first choice" anxiety medications, which include SSRIs and SNRIs. They are the most effective medications for treating anxiety disorders, according to research studies. SSRIs are typically found in sertraline (Zoloft), the fluoxetine, citalopram and escitalopram. These drugs may cause minor adverse effects, like insomnia or nausea, however they typically subside within 4-8 weeks. Contrary to benzodiazepines they're not addictive and don't increase your risk of having suicidal thoughts.

The benzodiazepines, alprazolam, diazepoxide, and clonazepam (Valium) offer immediate relief from panic and anxiety attacks. However, they can cause side effects such as dizziness and drowsiness. They can also trigger memory and coordination issues, and may even cause dependence. They're less well-known than the barbiturates of the past, however, they're equally effective.

Antihistamines like Vistaril (hydroxyzine) were initially developed to relieve allergies. However they also serve to reduce anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine blocks the histamine receptors in the brain, and can trigger a calming effect. It is not a controlled drug, so it does not have the same addiction risks as benzodiazepines.

Another type of medication that may help with anxiety is a class of medications known as anticonvulsants. They've been shown to relieve anxiety by affecting the production and release of dopamine and serotonin. They may be prescribed in combination with other medicines or as a short-term treatment for anxiety. Your doctor will examine your health history and symptoms to determine whether these medications are right for you. They will also discuss the duration of time you'll need to take these medications and any negative side effects that might occur. Anxiety medication is only available on prescription, so you'll need to visit a psychiatrist to get these medications.