Meds That Treat Anxiety
Anxiety is among the most common mental health issues that affects 40 million adults in the United States. It’s highly 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. They’re not addictive, as are benzodiazepines.
SSRIs
The most commonly used anxiety medication is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) which include citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro) and fluoxetine (Prozac). These medications also help with depression, and can ease the symptoms of other anxiety disorders, like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). They can take up to a month to start working.
These drugs work by boosting the amount of certain chemical messengers within the brain, such as serotonin and norepinephrine. They are usually the first option for anxiety, though doctors also use other types of antidepressants and benzodiazepines.
Another class of antidepressants, known as serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake 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 rate than SSRIs. These medications take a long time to work and are more expensive than SSRIs.
Tricyclic antidepressants, like imipramine Tofranil can be effective in treating anxiety disorders. Their drowsiness, and other side effects make them less popular. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are another kind of antidepressant used to combat anxiety. However, their strict dietary restrictions and high risk of toxicity limit their use.
Benzodiazepines are commonly used to treat anxiety and panic attacks in the short term like when you wait for SSRIs or SNRIs to begin working. These drugs can lead to dependence tolerance, sedation, and tolerance as well as withdrawal symptoms like a rebound anxiety, depression and delirium. Common benzodiazepines include alprazolam (Xanax) as well as Clonazepam (Klonopin) and lorazepam (Ativan).
Therapy is an important part of the treatment for anxiety because it allows you to discover more about the symptoms and the causes. Many people discover that both therapy and medication aid them manage their anxiety. Certain studies have proven that cognitive behavioral therapy is just as effective as medication for anxiety. Talk with your doctor about your options and which might be best for you.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines create a calming effect, decrease anxiety and relax tense muscles. They also alleviate symptoms of bodily arousal due to fear (like heart rate and trembling) and help promote sleep.
They work by binding to inhibitory neurons, like GABA or gamma aminobutryic acids, at receptors within the central nervous system. They increase the effects of GABA by increasing its inhibitory effects on other neurotransmitters and decreasing the amount of messages that are sent to the amygdala, an area of the brain that assesses threats and produces the feeling of fear.
These medications can be utilized for short periods of time for instance, when a panic attack occurs or if you are experiencing extreme anxiety. They may ease symptoms within 30 to 90 minutes of taking them. Benzodiazepines are, in contrast to SSRIs do not stay in the body for long. They’re quick-acting and typically take effect in just a couple of hours, making them ideal for situations when you require quick relief (like during an airplane flight or prior to giving an address in public).
They are addictive, and it is recommended to only prescribe them for up to 4 weeks at a time. After that time they lose their effectiveness.
One of the reasons why benzodiazepines were so popular was that they worked and had a few adverse effects when compared with their predecessors like meprobamate and barbiturates. They are effective and have a rapid start, and can be employed as anxiolytics to decrease anxiety. They can also be employed as sedatives, anticonvulsants and muscle relaxants.
Benzos are often blamed for the negative attitudes towards anxiety that emerged in the 1970s and 1980s. This included the denial of the disorder and the perception that benzodiazepine homeopathic Treatment for anxiety can lead to physical dependence. Despite this they play a crucial role in the treatment anxiety without medication of anxiety disorders, especially in conjunction with psychosocial interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy.
Benzos can interact with other medications, causing unwanted side effects, like drowsiness or confusion. It is important to inform your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription or herbal medication you are currently taking or are planning to take. Go through the British National Formulary A to Z list of interactions with medications to find out which medications are safe with benzodiazepines.
Antidepressants
Antidepressants can ease anxiety and other mental health problems. 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 symptoms and treatment disorder (GAD). The FDA has approved several antidepressants for other health ailments, too, such as eating disorders, certain kinds of pain, and bipolar disorder.
The majority of doctors prescribe SSRIs as a first-line treatment for anxiety, but these medications might not be appropriate for everyone. If these antidepressants aren’t working doctors may suggest an older form of medication known as a tetracyclic or tricyclic antidepressant. These include amitriptyline or nortriptyline and Clomipramine. They’re not as popular as the latest antidepressants, yet they’re still available. Your doctor may also prescribe the antidepressant with a sedating effect, trazodone (Desyrel) at lower doses to treat anxiety or insomnia.
Other antidepressants that could help include the nefazodone (Ferdinand) and duloxetine (Cymbalta). These medications are also available in generic forms. If they don’t help your doctor, you can try the antipsychotics quetiapine and Olanzapine or the sedating antidepressant Mirtazapine.
Beta blockers are used to treat anxiety disorders. They lower blood pressure and heart rate by blocking adrenaline. These drugs aren’t commonly used for anxiety alone however they can be helpful when paired with psychotherapy.
Psychotherapy can help you change negative thoughts and behavior that cause anxiety. It can teach you to manage your anxiety and teach you strategies for coping. Depending on your condition, you might receive cognitive behavioural therapy or exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioural therapy helps you develop the ability to confront negative thoughts, fearful thoughts and to overcome avoidance of situations that trigger your anxiety. Exposure therapy involves gradually increasing the intensity of anxiety-provoking situations until you are able to handle them. It can be done in a group or on your own. In both cases it takes time to achieve results. Some people believe that the combination of psychotherapy and medication is the best option. Some people find that taking medication alone is enough to manage symptoms. It is important to inform your doctor what you’re doing to control your symptoms.
Other Medicines
Other medications can help relieve your symptoms. Antihistamines and beta blockers are often prescribed to ease anxiety.
These medications can help alleviate your symptoms by reducing or blocking the signals that cause stress and fear. However, they’re not an all-in-one solution. You’ll need to do things to control anxiety, such as physical exercise as well as relaxation techniques, and psychotherapy.
SSRIs or SNRIs are the first choice of anxiety medication that your doctor may prescribe. According to research, these medications are the most effective anxiety treatment effective for treating anxiety disorders. The most common SSRIs include sertraline (Zoloft) and the fluoxetine (Prozac), citalopram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro). These medications can cause mild side effects such as insomnia and nausea, however these tend to subside within 4-8 weeks. They aren’t addictive, and they don’t increase the risk of suicidal thoughts.
The benzodiazepines such as alprazolam clonazepam, and diazepoxide, (Valium), provide immediate relief from anxiety and panic attacks. However, they could cause side effects, such as drowsiness and dizziness. They can also cause problems with coordination and memory, and even dependence. They’re a less popular choice than the barbiturates of the past, but are just as effective.
Antihistamines, such as Vistaril (hydroxyzine) were initially created to treat allergies. However they can also be used to ease anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine has a calming affect by blocking histamine receptors. It is not a controlled drug and therefore does not have the same risks of addiction as benzodiazepines.
Anticonvulsants are an additional type of medication which can help with anxiety. They have been found to decrease anxiety by interfering in the production and release of dopamine and sérotonin. They may be prescribed in combination with other drugs or as a temporary treatment for high functioning anxiety for anxiety. Your doctor will assess your health history and symptoms to determine if these medications are appropriate for you. They will also discuss the duration of time you should take these medications and any side effects that may occur. Anxiety medication is only available with a prescription, so you’ll need to see a psychiatrist to get these medications.