Meds That Treat Anxiety

Anxiety affects more than 40 million adults in the United States. There are a variety of medications available to treat anxiety.

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 medications are selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro) and fluoxetine (Prozac). These medications are also used to treat depression and alleviate symptoms of performance anxiety treatment disorders such as obsessive compulsive disorder. They can take up to a month before they start working.

These drugs work by increasing the amount of certain chemical transmitters within the brain. This includes serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. They're typically the first treatment option for anxiety, though doctors also use other types of antidepressants and benzodiazepines.

Another class of antidepressants, known as serotonin and norepinephrine receptor inhibitors (SNRIs) like duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor) are used to treat anxiety. They differ from SSRIs since they reduce norepinephrine but at a lower level than SSRIs. These medications take a long time to be effective and are more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants like imipramine Tofranil can be effective in treating anxiety disorders. However their drowsiness as well as other adverse effects make them less well-known. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are another kind of antidepressant that can be used to treat anxiety. Their high risk of toxicity and the restriction on dietary intake limit their use.

Benzodiazepines are frequently used to treat panic attacks and anxiety in the short-term like when you wait for SSRIs or SNRIs to begin working. These drugs can lead to addiction to tolerance, sedation, and dependence, as well as withdrawal symptoms like a depression, anxiety, and delirium. Benzodiazepines are typically found in alprazolam, clonazepam, as well as lorazepam.

Therapy is a crucial component of an anxiety treatment plan (go to pediascape.science) as it can help you discover more about the symptoms and their reasons. Many people find that medication and therapy both help them cope. In fact, some studies suggest that cognitive therapy is just as effective as medication for anxiety. Speak to your doctor to find out what's best treatment for anxiety attacks for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines create an calming effect, reduce anxiety and relax muscles that are tense. They also reduce symptoms of bodily arousal due to fear (like heart rate, trembling and trembling) and help promote sleep.

They function by binding to inhibitory neurons, such as GABA or gamma aminobutryic acid at receptors 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 sent to amygdala. This is a part of the brain which assesses threats and produces a feeling of fear.

These drugs can be used for short durations of time like when you experience a panic attack or if you're experiencing severe anxiety. They can help relieve symptoms in 30 to 60 minutes. In contrast to SSRIs, benzodiazepines don't remain in the body for a long time. They are fast acting and can be used within a couple of hours. This makes them perfect for situations where rapid relief is required (such for instance, on an airplane or prior to presenting in public).

Since they are addictive, patients are usually prescribed for up to four weeks at a time. After that they cease to be effective.

One of the main reasons benzodiazepines are so popular is because they are effective and have minimal side effects compared to their predecessors like barbiturates and meprobamate. They have a rapid start of action and are extremely effective as anxiolytics (anti-anxiety), sedatives, anticonvulsants, as well as for muscle relaxants.

Benzos were blamed for the negative attitudes towards anxiety that emerged in the 1970s and 80s, including the minimization of the disorder, as well as the perception that benzodiazepine treatments can lead to physical dependence. Yet however, benzodiazepines still play a crucial role in the treatment for anxiety disorders, especially when combined with psychosocial interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapies.

Benzos can interact with other medications and cause undesirable side-effects like drowsiness or confusion. It is important to inform your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription, or herbal medications that you currently take or are planning to take. Take a look at the British National Formulary A to Z list of interactions with medications to find out what 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 health conditions as well, including eating disorders, certain kinds of pain, and bipolar disorder.

Most doctors prescribe SSRIs as the first line best treatment for social anxiety for anxiety, however these medications may not be suitable for all people. If they fail, doctors may try the older type of antidepressant known as tricyclic or tetracyclic an antidepressant. They include amitriptyline, nortriptyline and Clomipramine. They're less popular than the newer antidepressants, but still accessible. Your doctor can prescribe the antidepressant that sedates, Trazodone (Desyrel) at lower doses for sleep or anxiety.

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

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 by themselves however they can be effective when used in conjunction with psychotherapy.

Psychotherapy can help you to alter negative thoughts and behaviors that can cause anxiety. It can teach you to control your anxiety and learn coping skills. Depending on the severity of your problem, exposure therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy might be recommended. Cognitive behavioural therapy helps you develop the ability to confront negative thoughts, fears and the fear of situations that cause your anxiety. Exposure therapy involves gradually increasing the severity of anxiety-provoking situations until you can cope with them. It can be done in a group or on your own. In both instances, the results take time to appear. A combination of medication and psychotherapy therapy is the best anxiety disorder treatment option for some individuals. Others find that meds alone are sufficient to control their symptoms. Inform your doctor about how you manage your symptoms.

Other Medicines

Other medications can also help relieve your symptoms. Antihistamines, beta blockers, and buspirone are all prescribed to reduce anxiety.

These medications can help ease your symptoms, by lowering or blocking the signals that cause anxiety and stress. They're not a panacea. You'll have to take steps to reduce anxiety, like physical exercise as well as relaxation techniques, and psychological therapy.

Your doctor could first prescribe one of the "first choice" anxiety medication, which includes SSRIs and SNRIs. According to studies, these medications are the most effective for treating anxiety disorders. The most commonly used SSRIs include sertraline (Zoloft) and the fluoxetine (Prozac) and citalopram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro). These medications might have mild side effects, such as insomnia or nausea, but they usually subside within 4-8 weeks. Contrary to benzodiazepines they're not addictive and do not increase your risk of having suicidal ideas.

The benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam, diazepoxide, and clonazepam (Valium) are a quick relief from anxiety and panic attacks. However, they may cause adverse effects, including drowsiness and dizziness. They may also cause memory and coordination issues, and may even cause dependence. These drugs are less popular than older barbiturates, however they are equally effective.

Antihistamines such as Vistaril (hydroxyzine) were initially designed to help with allergies. However they can also be used to alleviate anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine can have a calming affect by blocking histamine receptors. It is not a controlled substance and therefore doesn't have the same risk of addiction as benzodiazepines.

Anticonvulsants are a different kind of medication that can aid in reducing anxiety. They have been found to reduce anxiety through blocking the production and release of dopamine as well as sérotonin. They may be prescribed in combination with other medications or as a short-term treatment for anxiety. Your doctor will assess your medical history and symptoms to determine if these drugs are suitable for you. They will also discuss the length of time you'll need these medicines and any potential adverse effects that could occur. Anxiety medication to treat anxiety and depression is only available through prescription, so it is necessary to see a psychiatrist to prescribe it.