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Meds That Treat Anxiety

Anxiety is among the most common mental health conditions which affects more than 40 million people in the United States. It's highly treatable, with many types of 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. Unlike benzodiazepines, they're not addictive.

SSRIs

The most popular anxiety medication is selective serotonin inhibits (SSRIs) which include citalopram, escitalopram, and fluoxetine. These drugs also help with depression, and can alleviate the symptoms of other anxiety disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). They can take up to a month for them to start working.

They work by increasing the production of certain chemical messengers in the brain, including serotonin and norepinephrine. They're typically the first treatment option for anxiety, though doctors may also prescribe other kinds of antidepressants and benzodiazepines.

Antidepressants, such as duloxetine (Cymbalta), and venlafaxine (Effexor) are also used to treat anxiety. They are a bit different from SSRIs as they reduce norepinephrine, however at a lower rate than SSRIs. These medicines may take some time to start taking effects, and also are more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants, such as imipramine Tofranil, can be effective for treating anxiety disorders. However their drowsiness and other adverse effects make them less well-known. Monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs) are a different kind of antidepressant that can be used to treat anxiety. However, their dietary restrictions and the risk of toxicity limit their use.

Benzodiazepines are used to treat panic attacks and anxiety in the short-term in the meantime, while waiting for SSRIs and SNRIs. These medications can cause tolerance and addiction, sedation and apathy as well as withdrawal reactions that may cause depression, anxiety, and even delirium. Benzodiazepines are typically found in alprazolam as well as clonazepam and lorazepam.

Therapy is a crucial component of any anxiety treatment plan. It helps you to better know your symptoms and their reasons. Many people find that both therapy and Non Medication Treatment For Anxiety aid them cope with anxiety. Some studies have shown that cognitive behavioral therapy is just as effective as medication for anxiety. Talk with your doctor about your options and which might be best for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines have a calming effect that reduces anxiety and relaxes muscles that are tense. They also alleviate symptoms of bodily arousal related to fear (like heart rate and shaking) and encourage sleep.

They work by binding inhibitory neurons, such as GABA or gamma aminobutryic acids at receptors in the central nervous system. They enhance GABA's effects by facilitating the inhibitory effects of GABA on other neurotransmitters, and decreasing the amount of messages sent to the amygdala. It is a part of the brain that evaluates the threat and triggers a feeling of anxiety.

These medications can be used for short durations for instance, when panic attacks occur or when you experience severe anxiety. They can relieve symptoms within 30 to 60 minutes. Unlike SSRIs, benzodiazepines don't remain in the body for long. They're fast-acting and can be effective in a matter of hours. This makes them suitable for situations when immediate relief is needed (such for instance, during an airplane ride or before a presentation in public).

They can be addictive, so people are generally only prescribed them for up to 4 weeks at a time. They also lose their effectiveness after that time.

One of the reasons benzodiazepines became so popular is that they worked and had minimal side effects, when compared to their predecessors, like barbiturates or meprobamate. They have a quick onset of action and are very effective as anxiolytics (anti-anxiety) as well as sedatives and anticonvulsants and as muscle relaxants.

Benzos have been blamed for the negative attitudes towards anxiety that developed in the 1970s and 1980s, which included the denial of the disorder and the perception that benzodiazepine treatment causes physical dependence. However, they continue to play an important role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, particularly in conjunction with psychosocial interventions like cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy.

Benzos can interact with other medications, causing unwanted side effects, such as drowsiness and disorientation. It is important to inform your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription, or herbal medicines you currently use or are planning to take. You can find out which medications are safe to take with benzodiazepines by looking up the British National Formulary A-Z list of drug interactions.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants can ease anxiety and other mental health problems. 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 for other health conditions, such as eating disorders, bipolar disorder and certain types of pain.

SSRIs are often prescribed as a first-line treatment option for anxiety by doctors, however they may not work for all people. If these antidepressants aren't working doctors may suggest an older type known as a tetracyclic or tricyclic antidepressant. These include amitriptyline and nortriptyline, clomipramine and trimipramine, doxepin and dothiepin or imipramine. These antidepressants aren't as common but still accessible. You may also ask your doctor to prescribe the sedating antidepressant trazodone(Desyrel) at lower doses if you're experiencing anxiety or sleep problems.

Nefazodone, also known as Ferdinand (Cymbalta) and duloxetine are also helpful. They are also available in generic forms. If they don't help 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 heart rate and blood pressure by blocking adrenaline. These medications aren't typically used for anxiety alone however they can be helpful when paired with psychotherapy.

Psychotherapy can help you change negative thoughts and behavior that can cause anxiety. It can help you control your anxiety and learn coping skills. Based on the severity of your situation exposure therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy might be recommended. Cognitive behavioural therapy helps you overcome negative thoughts, fearful thoughts and to overcome avoidance of situations that trigger anxiety. The process involves increasing the intensity of anxiety-inducing situations until they become manageable. This can be done individually or in a small group. In both instances it takes time to achieve results. A combination of medication and psychotherapy therapy is the best choice for some people. Others find that medication alone is sufficient to treat their symptoms. It's important to tell your doctor what is anxiety disorder treatment you're doing to control your symptoms.

Other Medications

Other medications can help relieve your symptoms. Beta blockers and antihistamines are often prescribed to ease anxiety.

These drugs to treat depression and anxiety can correct an imbalance in the brain's chemicals and can help alleviate your symptoms by reducing or blocking the signals that cause you anxiety and stress. They're not a cure-all. You'll need to continue doing other things to manage anxiety, such as physical exercise or relaxation techniques, as well as psychological therapy.

The SSRIs or SNRIs are often the first choice of anxiety medications that your doctor can prescribe. According to research, these medications are the most effective for treating anxiety disorders. The most common SSRIs include sertraline (Zoloft) and fluoxetine (Prozac) and citalopram (Celexa), and escitalopram (Lexapro). These medications might have minor side effects, such as insomnia or nausea, however they typically subside within 4-8 weeks. In contrast to benzodiazepines, these are not addictive and do not increase your risk for suicidal thoughts.

The benzodiazepines alprazolam (Xanax) and clonazepam (Klonopin), and diazepoxide (Valium) offer immediate relief for panic attacks and anxiety However, they can cause negative effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, memory and coordination issues, and dependence. These drugs are less popular than older barbiturates, however they are equally effective.

Antihistamines like Vistaril (hydroxyzine) are 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 an energizing effect. It is not a controlled substance and therefore does not carry the same addiction risks as benzodiazepines.

Another type of medication that may help with anxiety is a class called anticonvulsants, which have been shown to relieve anxiety by affecting the release and production of serotonin and dopamine. These medications are often prescribed as part of a combination therapy or to treat anxiety in the short term. Your doctor will examine your health history and symptoms to determine if these medications are suitable for you. They'll also discuss how to treat anxiety attacks long you should take them for and any possible adverse effects. Anxiety medications can only be purchased with a prescription, so you'll have to see a psychiatrist to get them.