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Meds That Treat Anxiety

Anxiety is among the most prevalent mental health conditions which affects more than 40 million people in the United States. Many types 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 aren't addictive, unlike benzodiazepines.

SSRIs

The most popular anxiety medication is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro) and fluoxetine (Prozac). These drugs also help with depression, and can ease the symptoms of other anxiety disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It could take up to a month for them to begin to work.

They work by increasing the levels of certain chemical messengers within the brain, such as serotonin and norepinephrine. These are typically the first option to treat anxiety, though doctors may also prescribe other types of antidepressants and benzodiazepines.

Another class of antidepressants, known as serotonin and norepinephrine receptor inhibitors (SNRIs) such as duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor) are used to treat anxiety. They work a little differently from SSRIs because they reduce the reabsorption of norepinephrine as well as serotonin, though at lower levels than SSRIs. These medications take a long time to work and are more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants, like imipramine Tofranil are effective in treating anxiety disorders. Their drowsiness, along with other side effects make them less popular. Monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs) are another type of antidepressant used to combat anxiety. Their high toxicity risk and restrictions on diets make them unsuitable for use.

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

Therapy is an important part of the treatment for anxiety as it can help you discover more about the symptoms and the causes. Many people find that therapy and medication both help them cope. In fact, some studies suggest that cognitive behavior therapy is as effective as medication for anxiety. Talk with your doctor about your options and what is the best treatment for health anxiety option for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines produce an calming effect, reduce anxiety and relax muscles that are tense. They also ease symptoms of fear-related bodily arousal (like heart rate, trembling and shaking) and help promote sleep.

They work by binding inhibitory neurons, like GABA or gamma aminobutryic acids and bind to receptors in the central nervous system. They increase the effects of GABA by facilitating its inhibitory effect on other neurotransmitters and decreasing the amount of messages that are sent to the amygdala, a region of the brain that assesses threats and produces the feeling of fear.

These medications are typically used for short periods for instance, during panic attacks or an anxiety episodes. They can help relieve symptoms in 30 to 60 minutes. Unlike SSRIs they don't stay in the body for a long time. They're fast-acting and can work in a matter of hours. This makes them perfect for situations in which immediate relief is needed (such as during a flight or prior to presenting in public).

They are addictive, which is why it is recommended to only prescribe them for a maximum of 4 weeks at each time. They also lose their effectiveness after a period of time.

One of the main reasons benzodiazepines are so popular is because they are effective and have few negative effects compared to predecessors like barbiturates and meprobamate. They are safe and have a rapid onset, and can be used as anxiolytics in order to reduce anxiety. They can also be used as sedatives, anticonvulsants and muscle relaxants.

Benzos have been blamed for the negative attitudes towards 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 however, benzodiazepines still play a crucial part in the treatment of anxiety disorders, particularly when they are combined with psychosocial interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapies.

Benzos can interact with other medications and cause undesirable side-effects such as drowsiness or confusion. It is important to inform your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription or herbal medication you are currently taking or are planning to take. You can determine which medications are safe to use with benzodiazepines by checking the British National Formulary A-Z list for medication interactions.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants can help 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 to treat other health issues, such as eating disorders, bipolar disorder and certain types of pain.

SSRIs are typically prescribed as a first-line treatment for anxiety by doctors, but they might not work for all people. If they don't work, doctors may look at the more traditional antidepressant known as a tricyclic or tetracyclic antidepressant. These include amitriptyline and nortriptyline, as well as clomipramine. They're less common than newer antidepressants, Meds That Treat Anxiety yet they're still accessible. You can also ask your physician to prescribe the sedating antidepressant, trazodone(Desyrel) at lower doses if you're experiencing sleep issues or anxiety.

Other antidepressants that could aid are Nefazodone (Ferdinand) and duloxetine (Cymbalta). They're also available in generic forms. If they aren't working, your physician can try the tranquilizing antidepressant mirtazapine (Remeron) or the antipsychotics quetiapine and olanzapine.

Medications for other anxiety disorders include beta blockers, which decrease the heart rate and blood pressure by preventing the action of adrenaline. These drugs are not usually used to treat anxiety alone, but they can be effective if combined with psychotherapy.

Psychological therapy can help you overcome negative thoughts and behaviours that cause anxiety. It can teach you to manage your anxiety and develop how to cope. Based on the severity of your condition exposure therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy may be recommended. Cognitive behavioral therapy teaches you to confront negative and fearful thoughts and natural ways to treat anxiety overcome your aversion to situations which trigger anxiety. Exposure therapy involves gradually increasing the intensity of anxiety-inducing situations until you are able to manage the stressors. This can be done individually or in small groups. In both cases, results take time to appear. A combination of medications and psychological therapy is the best drug to treat anxiety option for certain people. Some people find that medication alone is sufficient to treat symptoms. Inform your doctor about how you manage your symptoms.

Other Medical Treatments

Other medications can also help relieve your symptoms. Beta blockers, antihistamines and buspirone are all sometimes prescribed to ease anxiety.

These drugs can correct an imbalance in your brain chemicals and can help alleviate your symptoms by reducing or blocking the signals that cause you stress and fear. They are not a panacea. You'll need to continue doing other things to reduce your anxiety, including physical exercise, relaxation techniques, and psychotherapy.

Your doctor may initially prescribe one of the "first choice" anxiety medications, which are SSRIs and SNRIs. They are the most effective medicines for treating anxiety without medication anxiety disorders, according to research studies. The most effective anxiety treatment commonly used SSRIs include sertraline (Zoloft) and fluoxetine (Prozac), Citropram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro). These drugs can cause mild side effects such as insomnia and nausea, but they usually disappear within 4-8 weeks. In contrast to benzodiazepines, these are not addictive and don't increase your risk of having suicidal thoughts.

The benzodiazepines, alprazolam, diazepoxide and clonazepam (Valium) offer immediate relief from anxiety and panic attacks. However, they could cause side effects such as drowsiness and dizziness. They can also cause problems with coordination and memory and may even cause dependence. These are less popular than older barbiturates but are equally effective.

Antihistamines, like Vistaril (hydroxyzine), were designed to help with allergies, but they're also sometimes used to reduce anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine blocks the histamine receptors in the brain and may cause the body to relax. It is not a controlled substance, so it doesn't have the same risk of addiction as benzodiazepines.

Anticonvulsants are an additional type of medication which can help with anxiety. They have been found to reduce anxiety through blocking the production and release of dopamine as well as sérotonin. They might be prescribed in conjunction with other drugs or as a temporary treatment for anxiety. Your doctor will evaluate your health history and symptoms to determine whether these medications are suitable for you. They will discuss the length of time you'll need to take these medications as well as any possible side effects that may occur. Anxiety medication is only available by prescription, so a psychiatrist will be required to prescribe it.