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 inhibits (SSRIs), including citalopram, escitalopram, and fluoxetine. These drugs also treat depression, and they can ease symptoms associated with other anxiety disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It can take up to one month for them to start working.
These medications are effective by increasing the quantity of certain chemical transmitters within the brain. This includes serotonin and norepinephrine as well as dopamine. They’re usually the first treatment anxiety Without medication option for anxiety, though doctors also employ other kinds of antidepressants and benzodiazepines.
Antidepressants, such as duloxetine (Cymbalta), and venlafaxine, (Effexor) are also used to treat online anxiety treatment. They differ from SSRIs as they reduce norepinephrine, however at a lower rate than SSRIs. They may take some time to take effects, and they tend to be more expensive than SSRIs.
Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), such as imipramine (Tofranil), are effective in treating some anxiety disorders, notably GAD. Their drowsiness, as well as other side effects make them less popular. Monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs) are another type of antidepressant that can be used to treat anxiety. Their high toxicity risk and dietary restrictions make them unsuitable for use.
Benzodiazepines can be used to treat anxiety panic attack treatment and panic attacks in the short-term while waiting for SSRIs and SNRIs. These medications can cause tolerance and addiction, sedation and apathy and withdrawal reactions that may cause anxiety, depression and even delusions. The most commonly used benzodiazepines are alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin) and lorazepam (Ativan).
Therapy is a vital part of any treatment plan for anxiety. It aids you in better know your symptoms and their causes. Many people discover that medication and therapy both help them cope. Certain studies have proven that cognitive behavioral therapy is just as effective as anxiety medications. Talk to your doctor about your options and which might be best for you.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines can have a calming effect, reduce anxiety and relax muscles that are tense. They also alleviate symptoms of bodily arousal due to fear (like heart rate, trembling and shaking) and encourage sleep.
They work by binding inhibitory neurons, such as 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 reducing the number of messages sent to the amygdala, which is the brain’s region that detects threats and creates the feeling of fear.
These medications are sometimes taken for short durations, such as during panic attacks or an anxiety episode. They can help ease the symptoms within 30 to 90 minutes of taking them. Benzodiazepines are different from SSRIs don’t stay in the body for a long time. They’re fast-acting and usually work in a matter of hours, making them ideal for situations when you require quick relief (like on a plane flight or prior to giving an address in public).
They are addictive, which is why people are generally only prescribed them for up to four weeks at one time. After that time they lose their effectiveness.
One of the reasons why the benzodiazepines became so well-known is that they worked and had few side effects when compared with their predecessors, such as meprobamate and barbiturates. They have a rapid onset of action and are extremely effective as anxiolytics (anti-anxiety) as well as sedatives and anticonvulsants and as muscle relaxants.
Benzos are often blamed for the negative attitudes towards anxiety that developed in the 1970s and 1980s. This included the stigmatization of anxiety and the perception that benzodiazepine treatment leads to physical dependence. Despite this they still play an important role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, specifically in conjunction with psychosocial interventions like cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy.
Benzos can interact with other drugs and cause undesirable side-effects like drowsiness or confusion. You should tell your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription or herbal medication you are currently taking or are planning to take. Check the British National Formulary A to Z list of medication interactions to find out which medicines are safe to take with benzodiazepines.
Antidepressants
Antidepressants can be effective in treating anxiety and other mental disorders. 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 conditions, too, such as eating disorders, certain types of pain and bipolar disorder.
Most doctors recommend SSRIs as the first line treatment for anxiety, but these medications might not be suitable for all people. If the antidepressants do not work the doctor might suggest an older version known as a tetracyclic or tricyclic antidepressant. This includes amitriptyline, nortriptyline, clomipramine and trimipramine, dothiepin, doxepin or imipramine. These antidepressants aren’t as common but they are still readily available. You can also ask your physician to prescribe the sedating antidepressant, trazodone(Desyrel) at lower doses if you’re experiencing sleep issues or anxiety.
Nefazodone, also known as Ferdinand (Cymbalta), and duloxetine may also be helpful. These medications are also available in generic forms. If they don’t work, your doctor might suggest a sedating antidepressant mirtazapine (Remeron) or the antipsychotics olanzapine and quetiapine.
Treatments for other anxiety disorders include beta blockers that reduce the heart rate and blood pressure by blocking the action of adrenaline. These medications are not typically used to treat anxiety on their own however they can be effective if combined with psychotherapy.
Psychotherapy can help you alter negative thoughts and behaviors that can cause anxiety. It can help you control your anxiety and learn how to cope. Based on your specific situation, you may undergo exposure or cognitive behavioural therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy teaches you to overcome negative and fearful thoughts and overcome your fear of situations that cause anxiety. The process involves increasing the level of anxiety-inducing situations until they become manageable. It can be done either in a group, or by yourself. In both cases, it takes time to show results. Some people believe that the combination of medication and psychotherapy is the best choice. Some people find that medication alone is sufficient to treat symptoms. It’s important to tell your doctor about the things you’re doing to manage your symptoms.
Other Medicines
Other drugs can also aid in relieving your symptoms. Beta blockers and antihistamines are often prescribed to alleviate anxiety.
These drugs correct an imbalance in your brain’s chemical balance and can help alleviate your symptoms by reducing or blocking signals that can cause stress and fear. They’re not a cure-all. You’ll still have to do other things to manage your anxiety, like physical exercise or relaxation techniques, as well as psychotherapy.
Your doctor may first prescribe one of the “first choice” anxiety medication, which includes SSRIs and SNRIs. They are the most effective medications for treating anxiety disorders, according to research studies. The most common SSRIs include sertraline (Zoloft), fluoxetine (Prozac), Citropram (Celexa), and escitalopram (Lexapro). These drugs may cause minor side effects, such as insomnia or nausea, but they typically disappear within 4-8 weeks. Contrary to benzodiazepines they’re not addictive and won’t increase the risk of suicidal thoughts.
The benzodiazepines, alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), and diazepoxide (Valium) provide immediate relief for panic attacks and anxiety However, they can cause adverse effects, such as drowsiness, dizziness, memory and coordination problems, and dependence. They’re a less popular choice over the more traditional barbiturates but they’re just as effective.
Antihistamines, such as Vistaril (hydroxyzine) were initially developed to relieve allergies. However they can also be used to alleviate anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine can have a calming effect by blocking the histamine receptors. It is not a controlled drug and therefore does not have the same addiction risks as benzodiazepines.
Anticonvulsants are an additional type of medication which can aid in reducing anxiety. They have been proven to reduce anxiety by inhibiting the production of and release dopamine and sérotonin. They may be prescribed in conjunction with other medicines or as a short-term treatment for anxiety. Your doctor will examine your medical history and symptoms to determine if these medications are appropriate for you. They will discuss the length of time you should take these medicines and any potential negative side effects that might occur. Anxiety medication is only available through prescription, so a psychiatrist will be required to prescribe it.
