Meds That Treat Anxiety

Anxiety affects 40 million people in the United States. There are a variety of medications available to treat anxiety.

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. In contrast to benzodiazepines, they're addictive.

SSRIs

The most common acute anxiety treatment medications are selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro) and fluoxetine (Prozac). These drugs are also used to treat depression as well as relieve symptoms of other anxiety disorders, such as obsessive compulsive disorder. It can take up one month for them to start working.

These drugs work by boosting the amount of certain chemical messengers within the brain, including serotonin and norepinephrine. These medications are typically the first choice to treat anxiety, but doctors can also prescribe other kinds of antidepressants and benzodiazepines.

Another class of antidepressants called serotonin and norepinephrine receptor inhibitors (SNRIs) like duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor) are used to treat anxiety. They are a bit different from SSRIs since they reduce norepinephrine, however at a lower rate than SSRIs. These medications may take some time to take effects, and they tend to be more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants like imipramine Tofranil, can be effective for treating anxiety disorders. Their drowsiness, and other side effects, make them less popular. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are a different kind of antidepressant that can be used to combat anxiety. Their high toxicity risk and restrictions on diets restrict their use.

Benzodiazepines are used to treat panic attacks and anxiety in the short-term while waiting for SSRIs and SNRIs. These drugs can trigger tolerance addiction, sedation and withdrawal reactions that include rebound depression, anxiety and even delirium. Common benzodiazepines include alprazolam (Xanax) and clonazepam (Klonopin) and lorazepam (Ativan).

Therapy is an essential component of the treatment for anxiety, as it helps you understand your symptoms and the root causes. Many people find that medication and therapy help them to cope. Some studies suggest that cognitive therapy works just as well as medication for anxiety. Consult your physician to determine what is the best option for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines create an calming effect, reduce anxiety and relax muscles that are tense. They also alleviate symptoms of bodily arousal related to fear (like heart rate, trembling and trembling) 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 increasing its inhibitory effects on other neurotransmitters and decreasing the amount of messages that are sent to the amygdala, an area of the brain that assesses threats and produces the sensation of fear.

These medicines are often used for short periods for instance, during panic attacks or an anxiety attack treatment without medication episode. They may ease the symptoms within 30 to 90 minutes after taking them. Benzodiazepines are, in contrast to SSRIs don't stay in the body for a long time. They're fast-acting and can be effective within a couple of hours. This makes them suitable for situations when rapid relief is required (such for instance, during a flight or prior to presenting in public).

They are addictive, which is why it is recommended to only prescribe them for up to four weeks at one time. After that they become less effective.

One of the main reasons benzodiazepines are so well-known is that they are effective and have fewer adverse effects when compared to their predecessors, such as barbiturates or meprobamate. They are efficient and have a rapid start, and can be employed as anxiolytics to decrease anxiety. They can also be employed as sedatives, anticonvulsants, and muscle relaxants.

Benzos were blamed for the negative attitudes towards anxiety that developed in the 1970s and 80s, including the minimization of the disorder and the perception that benzodiazepine therapies can lead to physical dependence. Despite this the fact that benzodiazepines play a significant part in the treatment of extreme anxiety treatment disorders, particularly when combined with psychosocial interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and other interpersonal therapies.

Benzos can interact with other drugs and cause unwanted side-effects, such as drowsiness, confusion or drowsiness. It is recommended to inform your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription or herbal medications that you currently take or are planning to take. Check the British National Formulary A to Z list of medication interactions to determine which medications are safe when taken 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 many antidepressants to treat other health conditions as well, including eating disorders, certain kinds of pain, and bipolar disorder.

SSRIs are typically prescribed as a first-line treatment option for untreated anxiety by doctors, but they may not work for all people. If these antidepressants don't work, the doctor may try an older type known as a tetracyclic, or tricyclic antidepressant. These include amitriptyline and nortriptyline and Clomipramine. These antidepressants aren't as common but they are still available. You can ask your doctor to prescribe the sedating antidepressant trazodone(Desyrel) in lower doses in case you are experiencing sleep issues or anxiety.

Nefazodone, also referred to as Ferdinand (Cymbalta) and duloxetine may also be beneficial. These drugs are also available in generic form. If they do not work, your doctor may suggest the antidepressant that is sedating, mirtazapine (Remeron) or the antipsychotics olanzapine and quetiapine.

Treatments for other anxiety disorders include beta blockers, which reduce the blood pressure and heart rate by blocking the action of adrenaline. These drugs aren't commonly used to treat anxiety by themselves, but can be helpful when combined with psychotherapy.

Psychological therapy can help you overcome negative thoughts and behavior patterns that contribute to your anxiety. It can teach you to manage your anxiety and teach you strategies for coping. Based on the severity of your situation exposure therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy could be suggested. Cognitive behavioural therapy helps you overcome negative, fearful thoughts and overcome the fear of situations that trigger anxiety. Exposure therapy involves gradually increasing the severity of anxiety-provoking situations until you can cope with the stressors. This can be done individually or in a small group. In both instances, results can take a while to show. A combination of medications and psychological therapy is the best choice for some people. Some people discover that medications alone are enough to manage their symptoms. Tell your doctor how you manage your symptoms.

Other Medicines

Other medications can also help alleviate your symptoms. Antihistamines and beta blockers are sometimes prescribed to relieve anxiety.

These medications can help alleviate your symptoms by lowering or blocking the signals that trigger stress and fear. They're not a cure-all. You'll still need to do things to manage anxiety, including exercises relaxation techniques, relaxation techniques and psychotherapy.

SSRIs or SNRIs are your first choice of anxiety medication that your doctor might prescribe. These are the most effective drugs for treating anxiety disorders, according to research studies. SSRIs are usually found in sertraline (Zoloft) and Citropram, fluoxetine, and escitalopram. These medications might have mild side effects, such as nausea or insomnia, but they typically disappear within 4-8 weeks. They are not addictive, and they don't increase the risk of suicidal thoughts.

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

Antihistamines, like Vistaril (hydroxyzine) are developed to relieve allergies however, they're also used to ease anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine can have a calming effect because it blocks histamine receptors. It's not a controlled drug, so it doesn't have the same risks of addiction like benzodiazepines.

Anticonvulsants are another type of medication which can be used to treat anxiety. They have been shown to reduce anxiety through inhibiting the production of and release dopamine and sérotonin. They might be prescribed in combination with other medications or as a short-term treatment for anxiety. Your doctor will review your health history and symptoms to determine if these drugs are appropriate for you. They will discuss the length of time you'll need to take these medications and any side effects that may occur. Anxiety medications can only be purchased on prescription, so you'll have to see a psychiatrist before you can get them.