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Meds That Treat Anxiety

Anxiety affects more than 40 million adults in the United States. There are a variety of medications available to treat it.

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 popular anxiety medications are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro) and fluoxetine (Prozac). These medications can also help with depression, and can alleviate the symptoms of other anxiety disorders, like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It can take up one month for them to start working.

They work by increasing the amount of certain chemical messengers within the brain, including serotonin and norepinephrine. These medications are typically the first choice to treat anxiety, although doctors may also prescribe other types of antidepressants or benzodiazepines.

Another class of antidepressants, called serotonin and norepinephrine receptor inhibitors (SNRIs) such as duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor), are also used to treat anxiety. They are a bit different from SSRIs because they decrease norepinephrine, however at a lower degree than SSRIs. They may take some time to begin taking effects, and they tend to be more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) like imipramine (Tofranil) can be effective in treating certain anxiety disorders, notably GAD. However their drowsiness and other side effects make them less well-known. Another kind of antidepressant, monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs) are also able to be used to treat anxiety. However, their strict dietary restrictions and the high risk of toxicity limit their usage.

Benzodiazepines are frequently used to combat anxiety and panic attacks in the short term for instance, when waiting for SSRIs or SNRIs to begin working. These medications can cause dependence, tolerance, and sedation as well as withdrawal symptoms such a rebound anxiety, depression and delirium. The most effective anxiety treatment commonly used benzodiazepines are alprazolam (Xanax) as well as Clonazepam (Klonopin) and lorazepam (Ativan).

Therapy is a crucial component of any treatment for anxiety. It aids you in better be aware of your symptoms and causes. Many people discover that both therapy and medication can help them cope with anxiety. Some studies have shown that cognitive behavioral therapy can be just as effective as medications for anxiety. Talk to your doctor to determine what is the best option for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines can have a calming effect they reduce anxiety and relax muscles that are tight. They also relieve symptoms of fear-related bodily stimulation (like heart rate, trembling or shaking), and promote sleep.

The way they work is through binding to inhibitory neurotransmitters, like gamma-aminobutryic acids or GABA and interacting with receptors in the central nervous system. They enhance the effects of GABA by facilitating its inhibitory effect on other neurotransmitters while reducing the number of messages that are transmitted to the amygdala, which is the brain's region that assesses threats and produces the feeling of fear.

These drugs can be used for short periods of time for instance, when you experience a panic attack or when you experience severe anxiety. They may relieve symptoms within 30 to 60 minutes. Benzodiazepines are different from SSRIs aren't able to remain in the body long. They are fast-acting and often perform in just a few hours, making them ideal for situations when you require quick relief (like during an airplane flight or prior to giving a public presentation).

Because they are addictive, patients are usually prescribed for up to four weeks at a go. They also lose effectiveness after a certain period of time.

One of the main reasons benzodiazepines were so popular was they were efficient and had a few adverse effects, when compared to their predecessors, like meprobamate and barbiturates. They are safe and have a rapid start, and can be used as anxiolytics to reduce 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 80s and included the denial of the disorder, as well as the belief that benzodiazepine treatment result in physical dependence. However, benzodiazepines continue to play a crucial part in the treatment of anxiety disorders, particularly when combined with psychosocial interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and other interpersonal therapies.

Benzos may interact with other medications, causing undesirable side effects like drowsiness or confusion. It is important to inform your doctor be aware of any other prescription, non-prescription, or herbal treatment for anxiety medications you are considering or taking. You can find out which medications are safe to take along with benzodiazepines through the British National Formulary A-Z list for medication interactions.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants are effective in treating anxiety and other mental disorders. 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, too, such as eating disorders, certain kinds of pain, and bipolar disorder.

SSRIs are typically prescribed as a first-line treatment option for anxiety by doctors, but they may not work for everyone. If these antidepressants don't work, the doctor may try an older form of medication known as a tetracyclic, or tricyclic antidepressant. They include amitriptyline, nortriptyline, as well as Clomipramine. These antidepressants are not as popular but they are still readily available. Your doctor can prescribe the antidepressant that sedates, Trazodone (Desyrel) at lower doses for anxiety or sleep.

Nefazodone, also referred to as Ferdinand (Cymbalta), and duloxetine can also be helpful. These drugs are also available in generic form. If they aren't working, your physician might suggest a sedating antidepressant mirtazapine (Remeron) or the antipsychotics olanzapine and quetiapine.

Beta blockers are used to treat anxiety disorders. They lower heart rate and blood pressure by blocking adrenaline. These medications aren't typically used to treat anxiety by themselves, but they can be effective if combined with psychotherapy.

Psychotherapy can help you to change negative thoughts and behaviors that can cause anxiety. It can help you manage your anxiety and develop coping skills. Depending on your situation, you may be treated with cognitive behavioural therapy or exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy teaches you to overcome unhelpful and fearful thoughts, and overcome your avoidance of situations which trigger anxiety. Exposure therapy involves gradually increasing the severity of anxiety-provoking situations until you are able to manage them. It can be performed in a group or individually. In both cases it takes time to demonstrate results. A combination of medication and psychological therapy is the best option for certain people. Some people find that taking medication alone is sufficient to treat symptoms. It is important to inform your doctor about the things you're doing to manage your symptoms.

Other Medications

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

These drugs can help you ease your symptoms, by reducing or blocking signals that cause anxiety and stress and anxiety treatment. However, they're not a cure all. You'll still require a variety of methods to reduce anxiety, including exercises, relaxation techniques and psychotherapy.

Your doctor could initially prescribe one of the "first first" anxiety medication, which includes SSRIs and SNRIs. According to research, these drugs are the most effective for treating anxiety disorders. Common SSRIs include sertraline (Zoloft) and fluoxetine (Prozac), Citropram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro). These medications might have minor side effects, like insomnia or nausea, but they typically subside within 4-8 weeks. They aren't addictive and they do not increase the risk of suicidal thoughts.

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

Antihistamines like Vistaril (hydroxyzine) are designed to help with allergies however, they're also used to ease anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine has a calming effect by blocking the histamine receptors. It is not a controlled drug, so it doesn't have the same risk of addiction as benzodiazepines.

Anticonvulsants are an additional type of medication which can aid in reducing anxiety. They have been proven to reduce anxiety through blocking the production and release of dopamine and sérotonin. These medications are often prescribed as a part of an integrated therapy or to treat anxiety in the short term. Your doctor will assess your symptoms and health history to determine whether these medications are right for you. They'll also talk about how treat anxiety And depression long you should be taking them and any possible adverse effects. Anxiety medications can only be purchased on prescription, which means you'll have to see a psychiatrist before you can get these medications.