Meds That Treat Anxiety

Anxiety affects 40 million people in the United States. It is extremely treatable, and there are 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. They're not addictive, as are benzodiazepines.

SSRIs

The most commonly used anxiety medication is selective serotonin inhibits (SSRIs) comprising citalopram, escitalopram, and fluoxetine. These medications can also be used to treat depression and alleviate symptoms of separation anxiety treatment disorders such as obsessive compulsive disorder. They may take up to a month to begin to work.

These medications are effective by increasing the quantity of certain chemical transmitters in the brain. This includes serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. These drugs are usually the first choice to treat anxiety, though doctors may prescribe other forms of antidepressants or 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 degree than SSRIs. These medicines may take a few days to start taking effect, and they also tend to be more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), such as imipramine (Tofranil) are effective in treating anxiety disorders some anxiety disorders, notably GAD. However, their drowsiness and other adverse reactions make them less popular. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are another kind of antidepressant that can be used to combat anxiety. However, their dietary restrictions and the risk of toxicity limit their use.

Benzodiazepines are frequently used to treat panic attacks and anxiety in the short term like when you wait for SSRIs or SNRIs to take effect. These medications can cause dependence tolerance, sedation, and tolerance, as well as withdrawal symptoms like a depression, anxiety, and delirium. Benzodiazepines are typically found in alprazolam, clonazepam, and lorazepam.

Therapy is an essential part of any treatment plan for anxiety. It assists you to better understand your symptoms and their root causes. Many people discover that both therapy and medication aid to manage anxiety. In fact, some studies suggest that cognitive behavioral therapy is as effective as medication for anxiety. Talk to your doctor about your options and which could be the best choice for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines have a calming effect they reduce anxiety and relax muscles that are tense. They also reduce symptoms of fear-related bodily arousal (like heart rate and shaking) and encourage 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. This is a part of the brain which assesses threats and produces a feeling of anxiety.

These medicines are often used for short periods for instance, during an attack of panic or a severe anxiety episodes. They may help relieve symptoms within 30 to 90 minutes of taking them. Contrary to SSRIs they don't stay in the body for very long. They're quick-acting and can be used in a matter of hours. This makes them perfect for situations when rapid 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 a maximum of 4 weeks at one time. They also lose their effectiveness after that time.

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

Benzos are often blamed for the negative attitudes towards anxiety that emerged in the 1970s and 1980s, which included the denial of the disorder and the belief that benzodiazepine treatment for depression and anxiety leads to physical dependence. Despite this they still play a significant 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 drugs and trigger unwanted side effects, such as drowsiness or confusion. It is recommended to inform your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription, or herbal medicines you are currently taking or are planning to take. You can find out which medications are safe to take along with benzodiazepines by looking up the British National Formulary A-Z list of medication interactions.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants can help ease 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 conditions as well, including eating disorders, certain kinds of pain, and bipolar disorder.

SSRIs are usually prescribed as a first-line ketamine treatment for anxiety option for anxiety by doctors, however they might not be effective for everyone. If they aren't working, doctors may look at the more traditional antidepressant, known as a tricyclic or tetracyclic antidepressant. These include amitriptyline and nortriptyline, clomipramine and dothiepin, doxepin, trimipramine or imipramine. These antidepressants aren't as common but still available. You can also ask your doctor to prescribe the sedating antidepressant, trazodone(Desyrel) in lower doses in case you are experiencing anxiety or sleep problems.

Nefazodone, also known as Ferdinand (Cymbalta) and duloxetine can also be useful. They are also available in generic forms. If they don't work your doctor, you can try the antipsychotics quetiapine and Olanzapine or the tranquilizing antidepressant Mirtazapine.

Beta blockers are used to treat other anxiety disorders. They lower blood pressure and heart rate by blocking adrenaline. These drugs aren't usually used to treat anxiety on their own however they can be beneficial when paired with psychotherapy.

Psychotherapy can help you to alter negative thoughts and behaviors that can cause anxiety. It can teach you to control your anxiety and learn coping skills. Based on your specific health condition, you could undergo exposure or cognitive behavioural therapy. Cognitive behavioural therapy can help you overcome negative thoughts, fears and the fear of situations that cause your anxiety. Exposure therapy involves gradually increasing the level of anxiety-inducing situations until are able to manage them. It can be performed in a group or individually. In both cases it takes time to show results. A combination of medication and psychological therapy is the best option for some people. However, others discover that medications alone are sufficient to treat their symptoms. It's important to tell your doctor what is best treatment for anxiety you're doing to manage your symptoms.

Other Medications

While antidepressants and benzodiazepines are the most commonly prescribed treatments for anxiety, other drugs can ease your symptoms too. Antihistamines and beta blockers are often prescribed to ease anxiety.

These medications correct an imbalance in the brain's chemicals and can alleviate symptoms by reducing or blocking signals that can cause anxiety and stress. However, they're not an all-in-one solution. You'll need to do things to control anxiety, like physical exercise relaxation techniques, relaxation techniques and psychological therapy.

SSRIs or SNRIs are your most commonly prescribed anxiety medications that your doctor might prescribe. These are the most effective medications to treat anxiety disorders, according to research studies. SSRIs are typically found in sertraline (Zoloft), Citropram, fluoxetine, and escitalopram. These drugs can cause mild side effects such as insomnia and nausea, however these usually subside in 4-8 weeks. Contrary to benzodiazepines they're not addictive and won't increase your risk of having suicidal thoughts.

The benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam, diazepoxide, and clonazepam (Valium) are a quick relief from panic and anxiety attacks. However, they could cause side effects such as dizziness and drowsiness. They can also cause memory and coordination issues, and even dependence. These are less popular than older barbiturates but are equally effective.

Antihistamines, such as Vistaril (hydroxyzine) were originally designed to help with allergies. However they can also be used to alleviate anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine blocks the histamine receptors in the brain and can cause the body to relax. It's not a controlled drug, so it doesn't have the same risks of addiction as benzodiazepines.

Anticonvulsants are another type of medication which can aid in reducing anxiety. They have been found to decrease anxiety by inhibiting the production of and release dopamine and sérotonin. These medications may be prescribed as a part of a combination therapy or to treat anxiety in the short-term. Your doctor will assess your medical history and symptoms to determine if these medications are suitable for you. They'll also discuss the length of time you should take them and any possible side effects. Anxiety medications are only available through prescription, which means that it is necessary to see a psychiatrist to prescribe it.