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Meds That Treat Anxiety

Anxiety is among the most prevalent mental health issues 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 common anxiety medications are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro) and fluoxetine (Prozac). These drugs can also be used to treat depression and alleviate symptoms of anxiety disorders like obsessive compulsive disorder. It could take up to a month for them to begin working.

These drugs are effective by increasing the quantity of certain chemical transmitters that are present in the brain. This includes serotonin and norepinephrine as well as dopamine. They're usually the first Natural Treatment For Stress And Anxiety option for anxiety, though doctors also employ other kinds 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 function a bit differently than SSRIs, as they also reduce the reabsorption of norepinephrine as well as serotonin, although at lower levels than SSRIs. These medications take a long time to be effective and are more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) like imipramine (Tofranil), are effective in treating some anxiety disorders, notably GAD. However, their drowsiness and other adverse reactions make them less popular. Another type of antidepressant, monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs), can also be used to treat anxiety. However, their restrictions on diet and the high risk of toxicity limit their use.

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

Therapy is a crucial component of an anxiety treatment plan because it allows you to discover more about the symptoms and their reasons. Many people find that medication and therapy help them to cope. Some studies have shown that cognitive behavioral therapy is just as effective as medication for anxiety. Talk to your doctor to determine what is the best option for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines have a calming affect they reduce anxiety and relax muscles that are tight. They also ease symptoms of bodily stress related to fear (like heart rate, trembling or shaking), and promote sleep.

The way they function is through binding to inhibitory neurotransmitters, like gamma-aminobutryic acid, or GABA, at receptors in the central nervous system. They boost the effects of GABA by facilitating the inhibitory effects of GABA on other neurotransmitters and reducing the number of messages sent to amygdala. This is a region of the brain that evaluates threats and creates a sense of fear.

These medicines are often taken for short durations like panic attacks or an anxiety episode. They can relieve symptoms within 30 to 60 minutes. Unlike SSRIs which are a long-lasting medication, benzodiazepines do not stay in the body for long. They're quick-acting and typically work in a matter of hours, which makes them ideal for situations where immediate relief is required (like on a plane flight or before giving an address in public).

As they can be addictive, people are usually prescribed up to four weeks at a go. After that period, they also lose their effectiveness.

One of the main reasons benzodiazepines are so popular is because they are efficient and have minimal negative effects compared to predecessors such as barbiturates and meprobamate. They are fast in the time to begin their action and are extremely effective as anxiolytics (anti-anxiety) as well as sedatives and anticonvulsants and as muscle relaxants.

Benzos were blamed for negative attitudes towards anxiety that emerged in the 1970s and 80s, including the minimization of the disorder, as well as the perception that benzodiazepine therapies result in physical dependence. Yet the fact that benzodiazepines play a major part in the treatment of anxiety disorders, especially when combined with psychosocial interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapies.

Benzos can interact with other medications and trigger undesirable side effects, like drowsiness or confusion. It is essential to inform your doctor be aware of any other prescription, non-prescription, or herbal medicines you are taking or thinking about taking. Take a look at the British National Formulary A to Z list of medication interactions to determine which medicines are safe to take with benzodiazepines.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants can be 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 many antidepressants to treat other conditions, too, such as eating disorders, certain types of pain, and bipolar disorder.

SSRIs are typically prescribed as a first-line treatment option for anxiety by doctors, however they may not work for everyone. If they fail doctors might try the older type of antidepressant, known as tricyclic or tetracyclic antidepressants. They include amitriptyline, nortriptyline as well as Clomipramine. They're less common than newer antidepressants, but still accessible. Your doctor may prescribe the antidepressant with a sedating effect, trazodone (Desyrel) at lower doses for sleep or anxiety.

Other antidepressants that can help are nefazodone (Ferdinand) and duloxetine (Cymbalta). They're also available in generic form. If they aren't helping your doctor, you can try the antipsychotics quetiapine and Olanzapine or the sedating antidepressant Mirtazapine.

Beta blockers are used to treat other anxiety attack natural treatment disorders. They lower blood pressure and heart rate by blocking adrenaline. These drugs are not usually used to treat anxiety on their own, but they can be effective when combined with psychotherapy.

Psychological therapy can help you to change negative thoughts and behavior patterns that can 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 behavior therapy could be suggested. Cognitive behavioural therapy helps you learn to challenge unhelpful thoughts, fears and the fear of situations that cause anxiety. The process involves increasing the intensity of anxiety provoking situations until they are manageable. It can be performed in a group or individually. In both instances, results will take time to manifest. Some people find that a combination of psychotherapy and medication is the best choice. Some people find that taking medication alone is sufficient to treat symptoms. It is important to inform your doctor what you're doing to manage your symptoms.

Other Medicines

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

These medications can help alleviate your symptoms by lowering or blocking the signals that cause stress and fear. They're not a cure-all. You'll still have to take steps to manage anxiety, including physical exercise, relaxation techniques and psychotherapy.

The SSRIs or SNRIs are often the first choice of anxiety medications that your doctor may prescribe. They are the most effective medications for treating anxiety disorders according to research studies. SSRIs are commonly found in sertraline (Zoloft), Citropram, fluoxetine, and escitalopram. These medications may cause mild side effects like insomnia and nausea, however these tend to subside within 4-8 weeks. Unlike the benzodiazepines, they're not addictive and don't increase your risk of having suicidal thoughts.

The benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam, clonazepam, and diazepoxide, (Valium), provide immediate relief from anxiety and panic attacks. However, they may cause adverse effects, including drowsiness and dizziness. They can also cause problems with coordination and memory, and even dependence. These medications are less well-known than the older barbiturates, but they are equally effective.

Antihistamines, such as Vistaril (hydroxyzine) were initially created to treat allergies. However, they are also used to alleviate anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine may have a relaxing effect by blocking the histamine receptors. It is not a controlled substance, so it does not have the same risk of addiction as benzodiazepines.

Another kind of medication that may help with anxiety is a class called anticonvulsants. They've been proven to reduce anxiety by inhibiting the release and production of dopamine and serotonin. These medications can be used as part of an integrated therapy or to treat anxiety in the short term. Your doctor will review your health history and symptoms to determine if these drugs are appropriate for you. They'll also discuss how long you should take them for and any possible side effects. Anxiety medication is only available through prescription, and you'll need a psychiatrist to prescribe it.