Meds That Treat Anxiety
Anxiety affects more than 40 million adults in the United States. It's highly treatable, with numerous medications 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. They're not addictive, unlike benzodiazepines.
SSRIs
The most common anxiety medication is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) which include citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro) and fluoxetine (Prozac). These drugs can also be used to treat depression as well as relieve symptoms of other anxiety disorders, such as obsessive compulsive disorder. They may take up to a month to begin to work.
These drugs are effective by increasing the quantity of certain chemical transmitters that are present in the brain. This includes serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. These are typically the first option to treat anxiety, but doctors can prescribe other forms of antidepressants and 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 operate a bit differently from SSRIs in that they reduce the reabsorption rate of norepinephrine and serotonin, but at lower levels than SSRIs. These medicines take a long time to be effective and are more expensive than SSRIs.
Tricyclic antidepressants, such as imipramine Tofranil can be effective in treating anxiety disorders. However their drowsiness and other side effects make them less popular. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are a different kind of antidepressant used to combat anxiety. Their high risk of toxicity and restrictions on diets make them unsuitable for use.
Benzodiazepines can be used to treat anxiety and panic attacks in the short-term in the meantime, while waiting for SSRIs and SNRIs. These medications can cause dependence tolerance, sedation, and tolerance, as well as withdrawal symptoms like a rebound anxiety, depression and delirium. Benzodiazepines are commonly found in alprazolam, clonazepam, as well as lorazepam.
Therapy is a vital part of any anxiety treatment plan. It helps you to better know your symptoms and their root causes. Many people find that both therapy and medication help them manage their anxiety. Some studies have shown that cognitive behavioral therapy is as effective as medications for anxiety. Talk to your doctor to determine what is the best option for you.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines have an calming effect, which can reduce anxiety and relax muscles. They also reduce symptoms of bodily arousal due to fear (like heart rate and shaking) and help promote sleep.
The way they work is through binding to inhibitory neurotransmitters like gamma-aminobutryic acid, or GABA which is a receptor in the central nervous system. They boost the effects of GABA by facilitating the inhibitory effects of GABA on other neurotransmitters and by reducing the volume of messages that are sent to the amygdala. It is a part of the brain which assesses the threat and triggers a feeling of anxiety.
These medications are typically employed for short periods of time, such as during an attack of panic or a severe anxiety episodes. They may relieve symptoms within 30 to 60 minutes. Contrary to SSRIs they don't stay in the body for a long time. They're quick-acting and typically perform in just a few hours, which makes them ideal for situations in which you require quick relief (like on a plane flight or before giving an address in public).
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.
pills to treat anxiety of the main reasons why benzodiazepines are so popular is because they are effective and have minimal negative effects compared to predecessors like barbiturates and meprobamate. They are efficient and have a rapid onset, and can be used as anxiolytics to reduce anxiety. They can also be employed as sedatives, anticonvulsants and muscle relaxants.
Benzos have been blamed for the negative attitudes towards anxiety that developed in the 1970s and 1980s. This included the trivialization of the disorder and the perception that benzodiazepine treatment leads to physical dependence. However they still play a significant role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, specifically in combination with psychosocial interventions like cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy.
Benzos can interact with other medications and cause unwanted side-effects, such as drowsiness, confusion or drowsiness. It is essential to inform your doctor be aware of any other prescription, non-prescription, or herbal medicines you're currently considering or taking. Go through the British National Formulary A to Z list of medication interactions to find out what medications are safe when taken with benzodiazepines.
Antidepressants
Antidepressants can ease anxiety and other mental health 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 for other health conditions, too, such as eating disorders, certain types of pain and bipolar disorder.
SSRIs are usually prescribed as a first-line treatment for anxiety by doctors, however they might not be effective for all people. If these antidepressants don't work, the doctor may try an older type called a tetracyclic or tricyclic antidepressant. These include amitriptyline and nortriptyline and clomipramine. These antidepressants are less common but are still available. You can also ask your physician to prescribe the sedating antidepressant, trazodone(Desyrel), at lower doses in case you are experiencing anxiety or sleep problems.
Other antidepressants that can help include Nefazodone (Ferdinand) and duloxetine (Cymbalta). They're also available in generic forms. If they don't work, your doctor may try the antipsychotics quetiapine or olanzapine or the sedating antidepressant Mirtazapine.
Beta blockers are used to treat other anxiety disorders. They lower blood pressure and heart rate by blocking adrenaline. These medications aren't typically used to treat anxiety by themselves however they can be helpful when paired with psychological therapy.
Psychotherapy can help you change negative thoughts and behavior that contribute towards your anxiety. It can teach you to manage your anxiety and develop strategies for coping. Depending on your condition, you might undergo cognitive behavioural therapy or exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioural therapy helps you overcome negative thoughts, fears and avoidance of situations that trigger anxiety. Exposure therapy involves gradually increasing the severity of anxiety-inducing situations until are able to manage them. It can be done in a group or on your own. In both instances, the results can take a while to show. Some people find that a combination of psychotherapy and medication is the best choice. However, others find that medication alone is sufficient to treat their symptoms. It's crucial to tell your doctor about the things you're doing to manage your symptoms.
Other Medical Treatments
Other drugs can also aid in relieving your symptoms. Antihistamines, beta blockers, and buspirone are often prescribed to alleviate anxiety.
These medications can help alleviate your symptoms by reducing or blocking the signals that cause anxiety and stress. However, they're not the only solution. You will still have to take steps to control anxiety, such as physical exercise relaxation techniques, relaxation techniques and psychological therapy.
Your doctor could first prescribe one of the "first choices" anxiety medications, which are SSRIs and SNRIs. According to research, these medications are the most effective in treating anxiety disorders. SSRIs are commonly found in sertraline (Zoloft) and the fluoxetine, citalopram and escitalopram. These medications might have minor side effects, such as insomnia or nausea, but they typically subside within 4-8 weeks. Unlike the benzodiazepines, they're not addictive and do not increase your risk for suicidal thoughts.
The benzodiazepines, alprazolam, diazepoxide, and clonazepam (Valium) are a quick relief from panic and anxiety attacks. However, they could cause adverse effects, including drowsiness and dizziness. They can also cause problems with coordination and memory, and may even cause dependence. They're less well-known than the barbiturates of the past, but are just as effective.
Antihistamines, such as Vistaril (hydroxyzine) were originally created to treat allergies. However, they are also used to ease anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine blocks histamine receptors in the brain, and can trigger a calming effect. It's not a controlled drug, so it doesn't have the same addiction risks as benzodiazepines.
Anticonvulsants are another kind of medication that can help with anxiety. They have been proven to reduce anxiety by blocking the production and release of dopamine as well as sérotonin. These medications may be used as part of a combination therapy or used to treat anxiety in the short term. Your doctor will assess your health history and symptoms to determine if these medications are suitable for you. They will discuss the length of time you'll need these medicines and any potential side effects that may occur. Anxiety medications are only available on prescription, so you'll need to see a psychiatrist to get these medications.