Meds That Treat Anxiety

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

SSRIs

The most commonly used anxiety medications are selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) which include citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro) and fluoxetine (Prozac). These medications are also used to treat depression and relieve symptoms of anxiety disorders such as obsessive compulsive disorder. They may take up to a month to begin to work.

These drugs are effective by increasing the quantity of certain chemical transmitters within the brain. This includes serotonin and norepinephrine as well as dopamine. These drugs are usually the first choice for treating anxiety, but doctors can prescribe other forms of antidepressants and benzodiazepines.

Another class of antidepressants, known as serotonin and norepinephrine receptor inhibitors (SNRIs) like duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor) are used to treat anxiety. They work a little differently than SSRIs, as they also reduce the reabsorption of norepinephrine and serotonin, although at lower levels than SSRIs. They can take a while to take effects, and also tend to be more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), such as imipramine (Tofranil), can be effective in treating certain anxiety disorders, including GAD. Their drowsiness, as well as other side effects are what make them less well-liked. Monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs) are another type of antidepressant that can be used to combat anxiety. Their high risk of toxicity and dietary restrictions restrict their use.

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

Therapy is a crucial component of the natural treatment depression anxiety for anxiety as it can help you learn more about your symptoms and the reasons. Many people find that therapy and medication both aid in coping. In fact, some studies suggest that cognitive behavior therapy works just as well as medication for anxiety. Speak to your doctor to find out what's best treatment for social anxiety disorder for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines have a calming effect, decrease anxiety and relax muscles that are tense. They also relieve symptoms of bodily stress related to fear (like heart racing or trembling), and promote sleep.

The way they function is by binding to inhibitory neurotransmitters, like gamma-aminobutryic acid, or GABA, at receptors in the central nervous system. They increase the effects of GABA by increasing its inhibitory effects on other neurotransmitters and decreasing the amount of messages that are sent to the amygdala, a region of the brain that assesses threats and produces the sensation of fear.

These medications are sometimes taken for short durations like an attack of panic or a severe anxiety attack. They can help relieve symptoms in 30 to 60 minutes. Benzodiazepines, unlike SSRIs do not stay in the body for a long time. They're quick-acting and can be effective in a matter of hours. This makes them perfect for situations where immediate relief is needed (such as during an airplane ride or before a presentation in public).

As they can be addictive, people are usually only prescribed them up to four weeks at a go. After that, they also lose their effectiveness.

One of the reasons why benzodiazepines are so well-known is that they are effective and have minimal adverse effects when compared to their predecessors like barbiturates and meprobamate. They are safe and have a rapid onset and can be used as anxiolytics in order to reduce anxiety. They can also be employed as sedatives, anticonvulsants, and muscle relaxants.

Benzos were blamed for the negative attitudes towards anxiety that emerged during the 1970s and 80s and included the denial of the disorder and the belief that benzodiazepine treatment lead to physical dependence. Despite this they play a significant role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, particularly when used in conjunction with psychosocial interventions like cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy.

Benzos may interact with other medications and cause undesirable side effects like drowsiness or confusion. It is important to inform your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription, or herbal medications that you currently take or are planning to take. Go through the British National Formulary A to Z list of interactions with medications to find out what medications are safe when taken with benzodiazepines.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants can 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 several antidepressants to treat other health conditions as well, including eating disorders, certain kinds of pain, and bipolar disorder.

SSRIs are usually prescribed as a first-line alternative treatment for anxiety and panic attacks option for anxiety by doctors, but they might not work for everyone. If these antidepressants aren't working the doctor might suggest an older type known as a tetracyclic or tricyclic antidepressant. These include amitriptyline, nortriptyline, clomipramine, dothiepin, doxepin, trimipramine or imipramine. They're less common than newer antidepressants, yet they're still available. You can also ask your physician to prescribe the sedating antidepressant, trazodone(Desyrel) in lower doses if you're experiencing anxiety or sleep problems.

Other antidepressants that can help are nefazodone (Ferdinand) and duloxetine (Cymbalta). They are also available in generic forms. If they do not work, your doctor might suggest a sedating antidepressant mirtazapine (Remeron) or the antipsychotics quetiapine or olanzapine.

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

Psychological therapy can help you overcome negative thoughts and behaviors that contribute to your anxiety. It can help you control your anxiety and learn strategies for coping. Based on the severity of your condition exposure therapy or cognitive behavior therapy could be suggested. Cognitive behavioural therapy assists you to learn to challenge unhelpful thoughts, fears and the fear of situations that trigger anxiety. Exposure therapy involves increasing the level of anxiety provoking situations until they are manageable. This can be done in a single session or in a small group. In both cases, it takes time to show results. A combination of medications and psychological therapy is the best option for some individuals. Some people find that medication alone is enough to control symptoms. Tell your doctor how to Treat Anxiety without medication you manage your symptoms.

Other Medicines

While benzodiazepines and antidepressants are the most frequently prescribed treatments for anxiety, other drugs can ease your symptoms as well. Antihistamines and beta blockers are sometimes prescribed to relieve anxiety.

These medications can help alleviate your symptoms by reducing or blocking signals that trigger stress and fear. However, they'ren't an all-in-one solution. You'll still have to do other things to control your anxiety, like physical exercise as well as relaxation techniques and psychotherapy.

SSRIs or SNRIs are the first choice of anxiety medications that your doctor might prescribe. They are the most effective medications for treating anxiety disorders, according to research studies. Common SSRIs include sertraline (Zoloft) as well as the fluoxetine (Prozac) and citalopram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro). These medications may have minor adverse effects, like insomnia or nausea, however they typically disappear within 4-8 weeks. Unlike the benzodiazepines, they're not addictive and don't increase the risk of suicidal thoughts.

The benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam, diazepoxide, and clonazepam (Valium) are a quick relief from anxiety and panic attacks. However, they could cause adverse effects, including dizziness and drowsiness. They can also cause problems with coordination and memory, and even dependence. These medications are less well-known than older barbiturates but are equally effective.

Antihistamines such as Vistaril (hydroxyzine) were initially designed to help with allergies. However, they are also used to ease anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine block histamine receptors within the brain and can cause a calming effect. It is not a controlled substance, so it doesn't have the same risk of addiction as benzodiazepines.

Anticonvulsants are a different type of medication which can aid in reducing anxiety. They have been proven to reduce anxiety through blocking the production and release of dopamine as well as sérotonin. They might be prescribed in conjunction with other medications or as a short-term natural treatment for anxiety and panic attacks for anxiety. Your doctor will assess your health history and symptoms to determine if these drugs are appropriate for you. They'll also talk about how long you should be taking them and any potential negative side effects. Anxiety medications can only be purchased with a prescription, so you'll need to visit a psychiatrist to get them.