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Meds That Treat Anxiety

Anxiety affects 40 million people 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. Unlike benzodiazepines, they're not addictive.

SSRIs

The most common anxiety medication is selective serotonin reuptake inhibits (SSRIs) which include citalopram, escitalopram, and fluoxetine. These drugs are also used to treat depression and relieve symptoms of anxiety disorders such as obsessive compulsive disorder. It could take up to one month for them to begin working.

These drugs work by boosting the amount of certain chemical messengers in the brain, including serotonin and norepinephrine. They are usually the first option for anxiety, though doctors also use other types of antidepressants and 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 differ from SSRIs because they decrease norepinephrine, however at a lower level than SSRIs. These medicines can take a while to start taking effect, and they also tend to be more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants like imipramine Tofranil, can be effective treatments for anxiety disorders treating anxiety disorders. However their drowsiness as well as other adverse reactions make them less well-known. Another form of antidepressant is monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs), can also be used to combat anxiety. Their high risk of toxicity and restrictions on diets restrict their use.

Benzodiazepines can be used treat anxiety and panic attacks in the short-term, while waiting for SSRIs and SNRIs. These medications can cause addiction, tolerance, and sedation and withdrawal symptoms such as a rebound anxiety, depression, and delirium. The most common benzodiazepines are alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin) and lorazepam (Ativan).

Therapy is a crucial component of an anxiety treatment plan as it can help you discover more about the symptoms and their causes. Many people find that therapy and medication both aid in coping. Some studies have shown that cognitive behavioral therapy can be just as effective as medications for anxiety. Talk to your doctor about your options and determine what is the best treatment for anxiety option for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines have an calming effect, which can reduce anxiety and relax muscles that are tense. They also reduce symptoms of bodily arousal related to fear (like heart rate and trembling) and encourage sleep.

The way they work is by binding to inhibitory neurotransmitters like gamma-aminobutryic acids or GABA and interacting with receptors in the central nervous system. They enhance GABA's effects by facilitating the inhibitory effects of GABA on other neurotransmitters, and reducing the number of messages that are sent to the amygdala. This is a region of the brain that is able to detect threats and creates a sense of fear.

These medications are sometimes employed for short periods of time for instance, during an attack of panic or a severe anxiety episodes. They can help ease symptoms within 30 to 90 minutes after taking them. Unlike SSRIs, benzodiazepines don't remain in the body for a long time. They are fast acting and can be effective in a matter of hours. This makes them perfect for situations when immediate relief is needed (such as on an airplane or before a presentation in public).

As they are addictive, patients are usually prescribed up to four weeks at a go. After that period they cease to be effective.

One of the reasons why benzodiazepines are so popular is because they are effective and have fewer adverse effects when compared to their predecessors, such as barbiturates or meprobamate. They have a quick time to begin their action and are very effective as anxiolytics (anti-anxiety) as well as sedatives and anticonvulsants as well as as muscle relaxants.

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

Benzos can interact with other medications and cause unwanted side-effects, like drowsiness or confusion. You should tell your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription or herbal medications that you are currently taking or plan to take. Take a look at the British National Formulary A to Z list of medication interactions to find out what medications are safe with benzodiazepines.

Antidepressants

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

SSRIs are often prescribed as a first-line treatment for anxiety by doctors, but they may not work for everyone. If they don't work, doctors may consider a different type of antidepressant, known as tricyclic or tetracyclic an antidepressant. These include amitriptyline or nortriptyline as well as Clomipramine. They're not as popular as the latest antidepressants, but still readily available. You can also ask your doctor natural methods to treat anxiety prescribe the sedating antidepressant, trazodone(Desyrel) at lower doses if you're experiencing anxiety or sleep problems.

Other antidepressants that may help are nefazodone (Ferdinand) and duloxetine (Cymbalta). They're also available in generic form. If they aren't working, your physician might suggest a sedating antidepressant mirtazapine (Remeron) or the antipsychotics quetiapine and olanzapine.

Beta blockers are used to treat anxiety disorders. They reduce blood pressure and heart rate by blocking adrenaline. These drugs aren't commonly used to treat anxiety on their own however they can be beneficial when combined with psychological therapy.

Psychological therapy can help you to change negative thoughts and behaviors that can cause anxiety. It can help you to control your anxiety, and develop coping strategies. Based on the severity of your situation, you may undergo cognitive behavioural therapy or exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy teaches you to overcome fears and thoughts that are harmful, and to overcome your aversion to situations that cause anxiety. Exposure therapy involves gradually increasing the intensity of anxiety-inducing situations until you are able to manage the stressors. It can be performed in a group or on your own. In both cases, results will take time to manifest. A combination of medications and psychological therapy is the best treatment for Generalized anxiety option for some individuals. Some people find that taking medication alone is sufficient to treat symptoms. It's important to tell your doctor about the things you're doing to control your symptoms.

Other Medicines

Other medications can aid in relieving your symptoms. Antihistamines, beta blockers, and buspirone are often prescribed to ease anxiety.

These drugs can correct an imbalance in your brain's chemical balance and can alleviate symptoms by reducing or blocking signals that cause you stress and fear. They're not a panacea. You'll still have to do other things to reduce anxiety, such as physical exercise, relaxation techniques, and psychotherapy.

SSRIs or SNRIs are the first choice of anxiety medications that your doctor may prescribe. They are the most effective drugs for treating anxiety disorders, according to research studies. The most commonly used SSRIs include sertraline (Zoloft) and the fluoxetine (Prozac), Citropram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro). These drugs can cause mild side effects like insomnia and nausea, however they usually disappear within 4-8 weeks. Unlike the benzodiazepines, they're not addictive and won't increase your risk for suicidal ideas.

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

Antihistamines like Vistaril (hydroxyzine) were originally designed to help with allergies. However they also serve to reduce anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine blocks the histamine receptors in the brain, and can trigger the body to relax. It's not a controlled drug, so it doesn't have the same addiction risks like benzodiazepines.

Another type of medication that may help with anxiety is a group of medications called anticonvulsants. They've been shown to ease anxiety by affecting the release and production of dopamine and serotonin. These medications are often prescribed as part of a combination therapy or used to treat anxiety in the short term. Your doctor will examine your health history and symptoms to determine if these medications are appropriate for you. They will discuss the length of time you'll need to take these medications as well as any possible adverse effects that could occur. Anxiety medications are only available on prescription, and a psychiatrist will be required to prescribe it.