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Meds That Treat Anxiety

Anxiety is one of the most prevalent mental health problems 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 inhibits (SSRIs) comprising citalopram, escitalopram, and fluoxetine. These medications can also be used to treat depression as well as relieve symptoms of other anxiety disorders like obsessive compulsive disorder. It can take up to one month before they begin working.

These drugs increase the amount of certain chemical messengers in the brain, such as serotonin and norepinephrine. They are usually the first option for anxiety, but doctors may also prescribe other kinds of antidepressants as well as benzodiazepines.

Another class of antidepressants known as serotonin and norepinephrine-reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) such as duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor), are also used to treat anxiety. They work a little differently from SSRIs, as they also reduce the reabsorption rate of norepinephrine and serotonin, though at lower levels than SSRIs. These medications may take a few days to begin taking effect, and they also tend to be more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants, such as imipramine Tofranil can be effective in treating anxiety disorders. Their drowsiness, as well as other adverse effects are what make them less well-liked. Monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs) are a different kind of antidepressant that can be used to combat anxiety. They are a high risk of toxicity and restrictions on diets restrict their use.

Benzodiazepines can be used 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 can cause rebound anxiety, depression and even delirium. The most commonly used benzodiazepines are alprazolam (Xanax) as well as clonazepam (Klonopin) and lorazepam (Ativan).

Therapy is an essential component of a treatment plan for anxiety because it allows you to understand your symptoms and the root causes. Many people discover that both therapy and medication aid to manage anxiety. In fact, some studies suggest that cognitive behavior therapy works just as well as anxiety medications. Consult your physician to determine what is the best option for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines produce an calming effect, reduce anxiety and relax tense muscles. They also alleviate symptoms of bodily stimulation related to fear (like heart rate, trembling or shaking) and encourage sleep.

They work by binding inhibitory neurons, for example GABA or gamma aminobutryic acid, at receptors within the central nervous system. They enhance the effects of GABA by activating its inhibitory effect on other neurotransmitters and decreasing the number of messages sent to the amygdala, an area of the brain that detects threats and creates the sensation of fear.

These medications can be utilized for short durations of time like when you experience a panic attack or when you experience severe anxiety. They can help relieve symptoms in 30 to 60 minutes. In contrast to SSRIs they don't stay in the body for a long time. They are fast acting and can work within a few hours. This makes them ideal for situations when quick relief is required (such for instance, on an airplane or before a presentation in public).

They are addictive, and people are usually prescribed them for up to 4 weeks at each time. After that period, they also become less effective.

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

Benzos were blamed for the negative attitudes towards anxiety disorder treatment without medication that developed in the 1970s and 80s which included the reduction of the disorder, and the perception that benzodiazepine therapies can lead to physical dependence. Despite this they 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 and trigger undesirable side effects such as drowsiness and confusion. It's important to let your doctor know about any other prescription, non-prescription, or herbal medicines you're taking or thinking about taking. Go through the British National Formulary A to Z list of interactions with medications to find out what medications are safe with benzodiazepines.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants can be effective in treating anxiety and other mental disorders. According to the extreme anxiety treatment 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 ailments, too, such as eating disorders, certain kinds of pain and bipolar disorder.

Most doctors recommend SSRIs as the first-line treatment for anxiety, however these drugs may not be effective 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 and Clomipramine. These antidepressants are less common but they are still accessible. You may also ask your doctor to prescribe the sedating antidepressant trazodone(Desyrel) at lower doses if you are having sleep problems or anxiety.

Other antidepressants that could aid are the nefazodone (Ferdinand) and duloxetine (Cymbalta). These drugs are also available in generic forms. If they don't work, your doctor may suggest the sedating antidepressant mirtazapine (Remeron) or the antipsychotics olanzapine and quetiapine.

Medications for other anxiety disorders include beta blockers, which reduce the heart rate and blood pressure by blocking the actions of adrenaline. These medications aren't typically used to treat anxiety on their own, but they can be effective if used in conjunction with psychotherapy.

Psychotherapy can assist you to change negative thoughts and behaviors that contribute towards your anxiety. It can help you control your anxiety and learn how to cope. Depending on your health condition, you could be treated with cognitive behavioural therapy or exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioural therapy teaches you to challenge negative and fearful thoughts and overcome your avoidance of situations which trigger anxiety. The process involves increasing the level of anxiety provoking situations until they become manageable. It can be carried out either in a group, or by yourself. In both instances, the results take time to appear. A combination of medication and psychotherapy therapy is the best option for some people. Some people find that taking medication alone is enough to control symptoms. Inform your doctor about how to treat anxiety without meds you manage your symptoms.

Other Medicines

Other drugs can also help alleviate your symptoms. Antihistamines, beta blockers, and buspirone are all sometimes prescribed to ease anxiety.

These drugs can help you reduce your symptoms, by lowering or blocking the signals that cause stress and fear. They're not a cure-all. You'll still have to do other things to reduce your anxiety, including exercises or relaxation techniques, as well as psychological therapy.

Your doctor could first prescribe one of the "first choices" anxiety medications, which are SSRIs and SNRIs. They are the most effective medications for treating anxiety disorders, according to research studies. SSRIs are usually found in sertraline (Zoloft), Citropram, fluoxetine, and escitalopram. These drugs can cause mild side effects such as insomnia and nausea, but these usually subside in 4-8 weeks. They aren't addictive, and they don't increase the risk of suicidal thoughts.

The benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam, clonazepam, and diazepoxide, (Valium), provide immediate relief from anxiety and panic attacks. However, they can cause side effects such as dizziness and drowsiness. They can also cause memory and coordination issues, and may even cause dependence. They're a less popular choice than the barbiturates of the past, but are just as efficient.

Antihistamines like Vistaril (hydroxyzine) are developed to relieve allergies however, they're also employed to alleviate anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine blocks the histamine receptors in the brain and may cause the body to relax. It is not a controlled substance and doesn't have the same risks of addiction as benzodiazepines.

Anticonvulsants are another type of medication which can aid in reducing anxiety. They have been found to decrease anxiety by interfering in the production and release dopamine and sérotonin. They can be prescribed in combination with other medicines or as a short-term treatment for anxiety. Your doctor will assess your medical history and symptoms to determine if these medications are suitable new treatments for anxiety you. They will discuss the length of time you should take these medicines and any potential negative side effects that might occur. Anxiety medications can only be purchased on prescription, which means you'll need to see a psychiatrist before you can get these medications.