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Meds That Treat Anxiety

Anxiety affects more than 40 million adults in the United States. It's extremely treatable with many types of 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. Unlike benzodiazepines, they're not addictive.

SSRIs

The most common anxiety medication is selective serotonin reuptake inhibits (SSRIs) comprising citalopram, escitalopram, and fluoxetine. These medications can also treat depression and can ease symptoms associated with other anxiety disorders, like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). They can take up to a month before they begin to work.

These drugs work by increasing the amount of certain chemical transmitters in the brain. This includes serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. These drugs are usually the first option to treat anxiety, although doctors may prescribe other forms of antidepressants, also known as benzodiazepines.

Antidepressants like duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine, (Effexor) are also used to treat anxiety. They work a little differently than SSRIs, as they also reduce the reabsorption rate of norepinephrine and serotonin, although at lower levels than SSRIs. These medicines take a long time to work and are more expensive than SSRIs.

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

Benzodiazepines are frequently used to treat panic attacks and anxiety in the short term, such as when waiting for SSRIs or SNRIs to begin working. These medications can cause tolerance addiction, sedation, and withdrawal reactions that include rebound depression, anxiety, and even delirium. Benzodiazepines are typically found in alprazolam as well as clonazepam and lorazepam.

Therapy is an essential part of any anxiety treatment plan. It aids you in better understand your symptoms and their causes. Many people find that both therapy and medication help them cope with anxiety. In fact, some studies suggest that cognitive behavioral therapy is just as effective as medications treatments for anxiety disorders anxiety. Talk to your doctor to find out what's right for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines produce an calming effect, which can reduce anxiety and relax muscles. They also ease symptoms of bodily arousal related to fear (like heart racing and trembling) and help 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 enhance the effects of GABA by activating its inhibitory effect on other neurotransmitters and decreasing the amount of messages that are that are transmitted to the amygdala, which is the brain's region that detects threats and creates the feeling of fear.

These medications can be used for short periods of time like when a panic attack occurs or if you are experiencing extreme anxiety. They may ease the symptoms within 30 to 90 minutes after taking them. Contrary to SSRIs, benzodiazepines don't remain in the body for long. They are fast-acting and often take effect in just a couple of hours, which makes them ideal for situations when you require quick relief (like on a plane flight or prior to giving a public presentation).

They are addictive, which is why people are generally only prescribed them for up to 4 weeks at a time. They also lose effectiveness after that time.

One of the reasons benzodiazepines became so popular is they were efficient and had few side effects, when compared to their predecessors, like meprobamate or barbiturates. They have a rapid start of action and are very effective as anxiolytics (anti-anxiety), sedatives and anticonvulsants, as well as for muscle relaxants.

Benzos are often blamed for the negative perceptions of anxiety that emerged in the 1970s and 1980s, including the denial of the disorder and the perception that benzodiazepine treatment Anxiety without medication leads to physical dependence. However, they continue to play a crucial role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, particularly in combination with psychosocial interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy.

Benzos can interact with other medications and cause undesirable side-effects such as drowsiness or confusion. It's important to let your doctor be aware of any other prescription, non-prescription, or herbal medications you're taking or thinking about taking. You can determine which medications are safe to use with benzodiazepines through the British National Formulary A-Z list for medication interactions.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants can be effective in treating anxiety and mental illnesses. 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 as well, including eating disorders, certain kinds of pain and bipolar disorder.

SSRIs are often prescribed as a first-line treatment option for anxiety by doctors, however they might not work for everyone. If these antidepressants don't work doctors may suggest an older form of medication known as a tetracyclic, or tricyclic antidepressant. These include amitriptyline and nortriptyline, clomipramine and trimipramine, doxepin and dothiepin or imipramine. These antidepressants are less common but they are still available. You may also ask your physician to prescribe the sedating antidepressant trazodone(Desyrel) in lower doses if you are experiencing sleep issues or anxiety.

Other antidepressants that can aid are Nefazodone (Ferdinand) and duloxetine (Cymbalta). These drugs are also available in generic forms. If they aren't working, your physician may suggest the sedating antidepressant mirtazapine (Remeron) or the antipsychotics olanzapine and quetiapine.

Beta blockers are used to treat anxiety disorders. They lower blood pressure and heart rate by blocking adrenaline. These medications are not typically used to treat anxiety on their own, but they can be effective if coupled with psychotherapy.

Psychological therapy can help you overcome negative thoughts and behaviours that cause anxiety. It can help you learn to control your anxiety, and develop coping skills. Based on the severity of your health condition, you could be treated with cognitive behavioural therapy or exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy teaches you to overcome negative and fearful thoughts and overcome your fear of situations that trigger anxiety. Exposure therapy involves gradually increasing the severity of anxiety-provoking situations until you are able to manage them. It can be carried out in a group or on your own. In both cases, results can take a while to show. Some people find that a combination of medication and psychotherapy is the best choice. Some people 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 Medicines

Although benzodiazepines and antidepressants are the most common medications to treat anxiety, other drugs can ease your symptoms as well. Beta blockers, antihistamines and buspirone are often prescribed to alleviate anxiety.

These medications correct an imbalance in the brain's chemicals and can alleviate symptoms by reducing or blocking the signals that trigger anxiety and stress. They're not a cure-all. You'll still have to take steps to manage anxiety, including physical exercise, relaxation techniques and psychotherapy.

Your doctor might initially prescribe one of the "first first" anxiety medications, which are SSRIs and SNRIs. These are the most effective medicines for treating anxiety disorders, according to research studies. SSRIs are usually found in sertraline (Zoloft) as well as the fluoxetine, citalopram and escitalopram. These medications can cause minor side effects, such as insomnia and nausea, however these tend to subside within 4-8 weeks. Contrary to benzodiazepines they're not addictive and won't increase the risk of suicidal thoughts.

The benzodiazepines, alprazolam (Xanax) and Clonazepam (Klonopin), and diazepoxide (Valium) provide immediate relief from panic attacks and anxiety However, they can cause side effects, including dizziness, drowsiness and coordination problems, and dependence. They're a less popular choice than the older barbiturates, but they're just as efficient.

Antihistamines, like Vistaril (hydroxyzine) are designed to help with allergies however, they're also employed to alleviate anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine has a calming effect because it blocks histamine receptors. It's not a controlled substance, so it doesn't have the same dangers of addiction as benzodiazepines.

Anticonvulsants are another kind of medication that can be used to treat anxiety. They have been found to reduce anxiety through interfering in the production and release dopamine and sérotonin. These medications can be used as part of a combination therapy or to treat anxiety in the short term. Your doctor will assess your medical history and symptoms to determine if these medications are appropriate for you. They'll also discuss the length of time you should be taking them and any potential side effects. Anxiety medications can only be purchased with a prescription, so you'll have to see an astrologer to obtain these medications.