Meds That Treat Anxiety

Anxiety is one of the most common mental health conditions that affects 40 million adults in the United States. It's extremely treatable with various types of medication 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 aren't addictive, unlike benzodiazepines.

SSRIs

The most common anxiety medication is selective serotonin reuptake inhibits (SSRIs), including citalopram, escitalopram, and fluoxetine. These medications can also be used to treat depression and alleviate symptoms of anxiety disorders, such as obsessive compulsive disorder. It could take up to a month before they begin working.

These drugs increase the levels of certain chemical messengers within the brain, such as serotonin and norepinephrine. These drugs are usually the first choice to treat anxiety, but doctors can also prescribe other types of antidepressants and benzodiazepines.

Another class of antidepressants called serotonin and norepinephrine-reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) like duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor) are used to treat anxiety. They function a bit differently from SSRIs in that they reduce the reabsorption of norepinephrine as well as serotonin, though at lower levels than SSRIs. These medications take a lengthy time to take effect and are more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants, such as imipramine Tofranil are effective in treating anxiety disorders. Their drowsiness, and other adverse effects make them less popular. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are another type of antidepressant used to combat anxiety. However, their strict dietary restrictions and the high risk of toxicity limit their use.

Benzodiazepines can be used combat panic attacks and anxiety in the short-term, while waiting for SSRIs and SNRIs. These medications can cause tolerance, sedation and addiction, and withdrawal reactions that may cause anxiety, depression and even delusions. The most commonly used benzodiazepines are alprazolam (Xanax) and clonazepam (Klonopin) and lorazepam (Ativan).

Therapy is a crucial component of an anxiety treatment plan, as it helps you learn more about your symptoms and their root causes. Many people find that both therapy and medication can help to manage anxiety. In fact, some studies suggest that cognitive behavior therapy is as effective as medication for anxiety. Talk to your doctor to determine what is the best option for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines have a calming affect, reduce anxiety and relax tense muscle. They also reduce symptoms of bodily arousal related to fear (like heart rate and shaking) and encourage sleep.

The way they function is by binding to inhibitory neurotransmitters, such as gamma-aminobutryic acid or GABA which is a receptor in the central nervous system. They increase the effects of GABA by activating its inhibitory effect on other neurotransmitters and decreasing the amount of messages that are that are transmitted to the amygdala, which is the brain's region that detects threats and creates the sensation of fear.

These medications are typically employed for short periods of time, such as during a panic attack or severe anxiety episode. They may relieve symptoms within 30 to 60 minutes. Contrary to SSRIs, benzodiazepines don't remain in the body for a long time. They are fast-acting and often work in a matter of hours, which makes them ideal for situations in which immediate relief is required (like during a flight or before giving an address in public).

They are addictive, which is why people are usually prescribed them for a maximum of 4 weeks at each time. They also lose effectiveness after a period of time.

One of the reasons why benzodiazepines became so popular is that they worked and had few side effects when compared with their predecessors, such as barbiturates or meprobamate. They have a rapid start of action and are very effective as anxiolytics (natural anti anxiety treatment-anxiety) as well as sedatives and anticonvulsants and as muscle relaxants.

Benzos have been blamed for the negative perceptions of anxiety that emerged in the 1970s and 1980s, which included the denial of the disorder and the belief that benzodiazepine treatment causes physical dependence. However, they continue to play a significant role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, particularly when used in conjunction with psychosocial interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy.

Benzos can interact with other medications, causing unwanted side effects, like drowsiness or confusion. It is recommended to inform your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription, or herbal medications that you currently take or plan to take. Go through the British National Formulary A to Z list of medication interactions to determine which medicines are safe to take with benzodiazepines.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants can help ease anxiety and other mental health issues. 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, including eating disorders, bipolar disorder, and certain types of pain.

SSRIs are often prescribed as a first-line treatment for anxiety by doctors, but they might not work for all people. If they aren't working doctors might try the older type of antidepressant, known as a tricyclic or tetracyclic antidepressant. These include amitriptyline, nortriptyline, clomipramine and trimipramine, dothiepin, doxepin or imipramine. These antidepressants aren't as common but they are still accessible. Your doctor can prescribe the sedating antidepressant Trazodone (Desyrel) in lower doses for sleep or anxiety.

Nefazodone, also known as Ferdinand (Cymbalta) and duloxetine are also beneficial. These drugs are also available in generic form. If they don't work, your doctor can try the antidepressant that is sedating, 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, but they can be effective if used in conjunction with psychotherapy.

Psychological therapy can help you change negative thoughts and behavior patterns that contribute to your anxiety. It can help you control your anxiety and learn strategies for coping. Based on your specific health condition, you could undergo exposure or cognitive behavioural therapy. Cognitive behavioural therapy helps you learn to challenge unhelpful, fearful thoughts and overcome the fear of situations that cause anxiety. Exposure therapy is the process of increasing the level of anxiety provoking situations until they can be managed. This can be done individually or in small groups. In both instances, results can take a while to show. Some people find that the combination of psychotherapy and medication is the best option. Others find that medication alone is enough to manage their symptoms. It is important to inform your doctor what you're doing to manage your symptoms.

Other Medicines

While antidepressants and benzodiazepines are the most commonly prescribed medications to treat anxiety, other medications can ease your symptoms as well. Antihistamines, beta blockers, and buspirone are all prescribed to alleviate anxiety.

These medications correct an imbalance in your brain's chemical balance and can alleviate your symptoms by reducing or blocking signals that trigger anxiety and stress. They are not a panacea. You will still require a variety of methods to control anxiety, like exercises, relaxation techniques and psychotherapy.

SSRIs or SNRIs are the first choice of anxiety medication that your doctor may prescribe. According to studies, these medications are the most effective in treating anxiety without medication anxiety disorders. SSRIs are usually found in sertraline (Zoloft), the fluoxetine, citalopram and escitalopram. These medications may cause mild side effects like insomnia and nausea, however these usually subside in 4-8 weeks. In contrast to benzodiazepines, these are not addictive and won't increase the risk of suicidal thoughts.

The benzodiazepines such as alprazolam diazepoxide, and clonazepam (Valium), provide immediate relief from panic and anxiety attacks. However, they could cause side effects such as dizziness and drowsiness. They may also cause problems with coordination and memory and even dependence. They're not as popular than the barbiturates of the past, but they're just as efficient.

Antihistamines, like Vistaril (hydroxyzine) are developed to relieve allergies, but they're also sometimes used to reduce anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine may have a relaxing effect by blocking the histamine receptors. It's not a controlled substance and therefore doesn't carry the same dangers of addiction as benzodiazepines.

Another kind of medication that may help with anxiety is a group of medications called anticonvulsants, which have been shown to ease anxiety by inhibiting the release and production of dopamine and serotonin. They can be prescribed in combination with other medications or as a short-term treatment for anxiety. Your doctor will assess your health history and symptoms to determine if these medications are suitable 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 by prescription, which means that a psychiatrist will be required to prescribe it.