Meds That Treat Anxiety

Anxiety affects 40 million adults 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. They aren't addictive, unlike benzodiazepines.

SSRIs

The most common anxiety medication is selective serotonin reuptake inhibits (SSRIs) comprising citalopram, escitalopram, and fluoxetine. These drugs can also be used to treat depression and alleviate symptoms of anxiety disorders, such as obsessive compulsive disorder. They may take up to a month to start working.

They work by increasing the levels of certain chemical messengers within the brain, including serotonin and norepinephrine. These are typically the first choice for treating anxiety, but doctors can also prescribe other types of antidepressants or benzodiazepines.

Antidepressants like duloxetine (Cymbalta), and venlafaxine (Effexor) are also used to treat anxiety. They differ from SSRIs since they reduce norepinephrine but at a lower degree than SSRIs. These medicines can take a while to take effect, and they also are more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) like imipramine (Tofranil) are effective in treating certain anxiety disorders, including GAD. Their drowsiness, along with other side effects make them less popular. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are another type of antidepressant that can be used to treat anxiety. Their high toxicity risk and dietary restrictions limit their use.

Benzodiazepines are commonly used to treat anxiety and panic attacks in the short term like when you wait for SSRIs or SNRIs to take effect. These medications can cause tolerance, sedation and addiction, and withdrawal reactions that include rebound depression, anxiety and even delirium. The most common benzodiazepines are alprazolam (Xanax) as well as clonazepam (Klonopin) and lorazepam (Ativan).

Therapy is a vital part of any treatment plan for anxiety. It helps you to better be aware of your symptoms and causes. Many people discover that both therapy and medication can help them manage their anxiety. Certain studies have proven that cognitive behavioral therapy is as effective as medications for anxiety. Talk to your doctor to determine what is the best treatment For generalized anxiety option for you.

Benzodiazepines

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

The way they work is through binding to inhibitory neurotransmitters such as gamma-aminobutryic acid 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 decreasing the amount of messages sent to amygdala. This is a region of the brain that is able to detect threats and produces a feeling of anxiety.

These medications can be used for short periods of time for instance, when you experience a panic attack or if you are experiencing severe anxiety. They may relieve symptoms within 30 to 60 minutes. Contrary to SSRIs, benzodiazepines don't remain in the body for long. They're fast-acting and usually take effect in just a couple of hours, making them suitable for situations in which you require quick relief (like on a plane flight or before giving a public presentation).

As they can be addictive, people are usually prescribed for a period of up to four weeks at a time. After that they become less effective.

One of the main reasons benzodiazepines are so well-known is that they are efficient and have few negative effects compared to predecessors, such as barbiturates or meprobamate. They have a rapid onset of action and are very useful as anxiolytics (anti-anxiety), sedatives and anticonvulsants and as muscle relaxants.

Benzos were blamed for negative attitudes towards anxiety that developed in the 1970s and 80s and included the denial of the disorder, and the perception that benzodiazepine therapies can lead to physical dependence. However however, benzodiazepines still play a significant part in the treatment of anxiety disorders, particularly when combined with psychosocial interventions like cognitive behavioral therapy or interpersonal therapies.

Benzos may interact with other medications and cause unwanted side effects, such as drowsiness and disorientation. It is important to inform your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription or herbal medications that you currently take or are planning to take. Go through the British National Formulary A to Z list of interactions with medications to find out which medications are safe when taken with benzodiazepines.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants are effective in treating anxiety and other mental conditions. 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 of anxiety by doctors, however they might not work for everyone. If these antidepressants don't work, the doctor may try an older form of medication known as a tetracyclic or tricyclic antidepressant. They include amitriptyline, nortriptyline as well as Clomipramine. They're less popular than the newer antidepressants but are still readily available. Your doctor can also prescribe the antidepressant with a sedating effect, Trazodone (Desyrel) at lower doses for sleep or anxiety.

Nefazodone, a.k.a Ferdinand (Cymbalta), and duloxetine may also be useful. These drugs are also available in generic form. If they don't work, your doctor might suggest a sedating antidepressant mirtazapine (Remeron) or the antipsychotics quetiapine or olanzapine.

Beta blockers are used to treat anxiety disorders. They lower blood pressure and heart rate by blocking adrenaline. These medications aren't typically used to treat anxiety on their own however they can be helpful when used in conjunction with psychotherapy.

Psychological therapy can help you change negative thoughts and behaviors that contribute to your anxiety. It can teach you to control your anxiety and learn strategies for coping. Based on your specific situation, you may receive cognitive behavioural therapy or exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioural therapy can help you develop the ability to confront negative thoughts, fearful thoughts and to overcome the fear of situations that trigger anxiety. Exposure therapy involves gradually increasing the level of social anxiety treatment near me-inducing situations until are able to manage the stressors. It can be done either individually or in small groups. In both cases, results will take time to manifest. A combination of medication and psychotherapy therapy is the best treatment for generalized anxiety disorder option for certain people. Some people discover that medications alone are enough to manage their symptoms. It's important to tell your doctor about the things you're doing to control your symptoms.

Other Medicines

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

These drugs correct an imbalance in your brain chemicals and can help ease your symptoms by lowering or blocking signals that cause you stress and fear. They are not a panacea. You'll need to continue doing other things to reduce anxiety, such as exercises as well as relaxation techniques and psychological therapy.

Your doctor could initially prescribe one of the "first choice" anxiety medication, which includes SSRIs and SNRIs. According to research, these medications are the most effective for treating anxiety disorders. The most common SSRIs include sertraline (Zoloft) as well as fluoxetine (Prozac), Citropram (Celexa), and escitalopram (Lexapro). These medications may cause minor side effects, such as nausea and insomnia, but these tend to subside within 4-8 weeks. They aren't addictive and they do not increase the likelihood of suicidal thoughts.

The benzodiazepines alprazolam (Xanax) and clonazepam (Klonopin) and diazepoxide (Valium) provide immediate relief for anxiety and panic attacks however they can also cause negative effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, memory and coordination problems, and dependence. These medications are less well-known than older barbiturates but are equally effective.

Antihistamines such as Vistaril (hydroxyzine) were initially developed to relieve allergies. However they also serve to ease anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine may have a relaxing affect by blocking histamine receptors. It is not a controlled substance and therefore doesn't have the same addiction risks as benzodiazepines.

Another kind of medication that may help with anxiety is a class called anticonvulsants, which have been shown to relieve anxiety by inhibiting the production and release of dopamine and serotonin. They may be prescribed in conjunction with other drugs or as a temporary treatment for anxiety. Your doctor will assess your symptoms and health history to determine if these medications are right for you. They'll also discuss the length of time you should be taking them and any possible side effects. Anxiety medications are only available through prescription, and you'll need a psychiatrist to prescribe it.