Meds That Treat Anxiety

Anxiety is among the most prevalent mental health conditions which affects more than 40 million people in the United States. A variety of medications are 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 medication is selective serotonin reuptake inhibits (SSRIs) which include citalopram, escitalopram, and fluoxetine. These medications are also used to treat anxiety without medication depression and alleviate symptoms of anxiety disorders, such as obsessive compulsive disorder. They can take up to a month for them to begin to work.

These drugs increase the amount of certain chemical messengers in the brain, such as serotonin and norepinephrine. These drugs are usually the first choice to treat anxiety, although doctors may also prescribe other types of antidepressants, also known as benzodiazepines.

Another class of antidepressants, known as serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) like duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor) are used to treat anxiety. They function a bit differently from SSRIs, as they also reduce the reabsorption of norepinephrine as well as serotonin, although at lower levels than SSRIs. They may take some time to take effects, and they tend to be more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) such as imipramine (Tofranil), are effective in treating certain anxiety disorders, including GAD. Their drowsiness, as well as other adverse effects, make them less popular. Another kind of antidepressant, monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs) can be used to treat anxiety. However, their dietary restrictions and the high functioning anxiety treatment risk of toxicity restrict their use.

Benzodiazepines are frequently used to treat anxiety and panic attacks in the short term, such as when waiting for SSRIs or SNRIs to take effect. These medications can cause addiction tolerance, sedation, and tolerance, as well as withdrawal symptoms like a rebound anxiety, depression and delirium. The most common benzodiazepines are alprazolam (Xanax) as well as Clonazepam (Klonopin) and lorazepam (Ativan).

Therapy is an essential part of any anxiety treatment plan. It aids you in better understand your symptoms and their reasons. Many people discover that medication and therapy both help them cope. Some studies have shown that cognitive behavioral therapy is just as effective as medications for anxiety. Talk with your physician about your options and which could be the best choice for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines can have a calming effect that reduces anxiety and relaxes tense muscle. They also ease 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 increase 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. It is a part of the brain which assesses threats and produces a feeling of anxiety.

These medications are sometimes taken for short durations for instance, during an attack of panic or a severe anxiety episode. They can help relieve symptoms in 30 to 60 minutes. Unlike SSRIs, benzodiazepines don't remain in the body for very long. They're fast-acting and can be used within a few hours. This makes them perfect for situations in which quick relief is required (such as on an airplane or prior to presenting in public).

They can be addictive, so it is recommended to only prescribe them for up to 4 weeks at one time. After that period they become less effective.

One of the main reasons benzodiazepines are so well-known is that they are safe and have fewer side effects compared to their predecessors such as barbiturates and meprobamate. They are effective 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 have been blamed for the negative attitudes toward anxiety that developed in the 1970s and 1980s. This included the stigmatization of anxiety and the perception that benzodiazepine treatment leads to physical dependence. However, benzodiazepines continue to play a major role in the treatment for anxiety disorders, particularly when they are combined with psychosocial interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and other interpersonal therapies.

Benzos can interact with other drugs and cause undesirable side-effects like drowsiness or confusion. It's important to let your doctor be aware of any other prescription, non-prescription, or herbal medication you're currently taking or thinking about taking. Check the British National Formulary A to Z list of interactions with medications to determine which medicines are safe to take with benzodiazepines.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants are effective in treating anxiety and other mental 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 antidepressants to treat other health conditions, such as bipolar disorder, eating disorders and certain kinds of pain.

Most doctors recommend SSRIs as the first-line treatment for anxiety, but these drugs may not be effective for everyone. If these antidepressants aren't working the doctor might suggest an older form of medication known as a tetracyclic or tricyclic antidepressant. This includes amitriptyline, nortriptyline, clomipramine, trimipramine, doxepin and dothiepin or imipramine. These antidepressants aren't as common but they are still accessible. Your doctor may prescribe the antidepressant with a sedating effect, Trazodone (Desyrel) at lower doses to treat anxiety or insomnia.

Nefazodone, also referred to as Ferdinand (Cymbalta) and duloxetine are also helpful. These medications are also available in generic form. If they aren't helping, your doctor may try the antipsychotics quetiapine and olanzapine or the tranquilizing antidepressant Mirtazapine.

Beta blockers are used to treat anxiety disorders. They lower heart rate and blood pressure by blocking adrenaline. These medications aren't typically used for anxiety alone however they can be beneficial when paired with psychological therapy.

Psychological therapy can help you to change negative thoughts and behavior patterns that contribute to your anxiety. It can teach you to manage your anxiety and develop coping skills. Based on the severity of your problem, exposure therapy or cognitive behavior therapy might be recommended. Cognitive behavioural therapy helps you learn to challenge unhelpful thoughts, fears and the fear of situations that trigger your anxiety. Exposure therapy involves gradually increasing the intensity of anxiety-inducing situations until are able to handle them. This can be done in a single session or in smaller groups. In both instances, it takes time to achieve results. Some people believe that the combination of medication and psychotherapy is the best choice. Some people find that taking medication alone is enough to control symptoms. It's important to tell your doctor about the things you're doing to manage your symptoms.

Other Medical Treatments

Although benzodiazepines and antidepressants are the most frequently prescribed treatments for anxiety, other drugs can help ease your symptoms too. Antihistamines, beta blockers, and buspirone are all prescribed to ease anxiety treatment for cats.

These medications correct an imbalance in your brain chemicals and can ease your symptoms by lowering or blocking signals that can cause stress and fear. They're not a cure-all. You'll still have to do other things to manage your anxiety, like physical exercise, relaxation techniques, and psychotherapy.

Your doctor could initially prescribe one of the "first choices" anxiety medication, which includes SSRIs and SNRIs. They are the most effective medicines for treating anxiety disorders, according to research studies. SSRIs are commonly found in sertraline (Zoloft), fluoxetine, citalopram, and escitalopram. These drugs may cause mild side effects, such as insomnia or nausea, but they usually subside within 4-8 weeks. Contrary to benzodiazepines they're not addictive and do not increase your risk of having suicidal thoughts.

The benzodiazepines alprazolam (Xanax) and clonazepam (Klonopin), and diazepoxide (Valium) offer immediate relief from panic attacks and anxiety, but they can have side effects, including dizziness, drowsiness and coordination issues, as well as dependence. They're a less popular choice than the barbiturates of the past, but are just as effective.

Antihistamines like Vistaril (hydroxyzine) were created to treat allergies, but they're also sometimes used to reduce anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine blocks the histamine receptors in the brain and may cause a calming effect. It's not a controlled substance which means it doesn't carry the same dangers of addiction as benzodiazepines.

Anticonvulsants are an additional type of medication which can aid in reducing anxiety. They have been proven to decrease anxiety by inhibiting the production of and release of dopamine and sérotonin. They can be prescribed in conjunction with other medications or as a short-term treatment for anxiety treatment autism. Your doctor will evaluate your symptoms and health history to determine if these medications are suitable for you. They will also discuss the duration of time you'll need these medications and any negative side effects that might occur. Anxiety medications are only available through prescription, which means that you'll need a psychiatrist to prescribe it.