Meds That Treat Anxiety
Anxiety affects 40 million adults in the United States. It's highly 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. They're not addictive, as are benzodiazepines.
SSRIs
The most commonly used anxiety medication is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro) and fluoxetine (Prozac). These drugs are also used to treat depression and alleviate symptoms of anxiety disorders like obsessive compulsive disorder. It could take up to a month to start working.
These medications work by increasing the amount of certain chemical transmitters that are present in the brain. This includes serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. They're typically the first treatment option for anxiety, but doctors also employ other kinds of antidepressants as well as benzodiazepines.
Antidepressants, such as duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor) are also used to treat anxiety. They function a bit differently than SSRIs because they reduce the reabsorption of norepinephrine and serotonin, though at lower levels than SSRIs. These medications take a lengthy time to work and are more expensive than SSRIs.
Tricyclic antidepressants, such as imipramine Tofranil, can be effective for treating anxiety disorders. Their drowsiness, as well as other side effects, make them less popular. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are another type of antidepressant used to treat anxiety. Their high risk of toxicity and the restriction on dietary intake restrict their use.
Benzodiazepines are used to treat panic attacks and anxiety in the short-term in the meantime, while waiting for SSRIs and SNRIs. These medications can trigger dependence tolerance, sedation, and tolerance as well as withdrawal symptoms such a rebound anxiety, depression and delirium. The most common benzodiazepines are alprazolam (Xanax) and Clonazepam (Klonopin) and lorazepam (Ativan).
Therapy is a crucial component of a treatment plan for anxiety as it can help you learn more about your symptoms and the root causes. Many people find that therapy and medication both aid in coping. Some studies suggest that cognitive therapy is as effective as medication for anxiety. Talk with your physician about your options and which is the best option for you.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines produce an calming effect, reduce anxiety and relax tense muscles. They also reduce symptoms of bodily arousal due to fear (like heart racing and shaking) and promote sleep.
They work by binding inhibitory neurons, like GABA or gamma aminobutryic acid at receptors in the central nervous system. They enhance the effects of GABA by facilitating its inhibitory effect on other neurotransmitters and decreasing the amount of messages that are sent to the amygdala, a region of the brain that detects threats and creates the sensation of fear.
These medications can be used for short durations of time, such as when panic attacks occur or if you are experiencing extreme anxiety. They can help relieve symptoms in 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 perform in just a few hours, making them suitable for situations in which you require quick relief (like during an airplane flight or before giving a public presentation).
holistic treatment for anxiety can be addictive, so people are usually prescribed them for up to 4 weeks at one time. They also lose effectiveness after that time.
One of the reasons why benzodiazepines became so popular is they were efficient and had a few adverse effects, when compared to their predecessors, such as meprobamate or barbiturates. They have a rapid time to begin their action and are very useful as anxiolytics (anti-anxiety), sedatives and anticonvulsants and as muscle relaxants.
Benzos are often blamed for the negative attitudes towards anxiety that emerged in the 1970s and 1980s, which included the trivialization of the disorder and the perception that benzodiazepine treatment leads to physical dependence. Despite this, they continue to play a crucial role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, particularly in conjunction with psychosocial interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy.
Benzos can interact with other medications and cause unwanted side-effects, such as drowsiness or confusion. It is essential to inform your doctor be aware of any other prescription, non-prescription, or herbal medicines you are contemplating or are taking. You can determine which medications are safe to use with benzodiazepines through the British National Formulary A-Z list of drug interactions.
Antidepressants
Antidepressants are 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 several antidepressants to treat other health conditions as well, including eating disorders, certain types of pain, and bipolar disorder.
SSRIs are often prescribed as a first-line treatment option for anxiety by doctors, but they may not work for all people. If they don't work, doctors may look at the more traditional antidepressant, known as tricyclic or tetracyclic antidepressants. This includes amitriptyline, nortriptyline, clomipramine and trimipramine, doxepin and dothiepin or imipramine. These antidepressants are not as popular but are still accessible. You can ask your doctor to prescribe the sedating antidepressant trazodone(Desyrel) at lower doses if you're experiencing anxiety or sleep problems.
Nefazodone, also known as Ferdinand (Cymbalta) and duloxetine can also be helpful. These medications are also available in generic form. If they don't work your doctor, he may suggest the antipsychotics quetiapine or olanzapine or the sedating antidepressant Mirtazapine.
Treatments for other anxiety disorders include beta blockers, which decrease the heart rate and blood pressure by preventing the action of adrenaline. These drugs aren't commonly used to treat anxiety on their own, but can be helpful when combined with psychotherapy.
Psychotherapy can help you to change negative thoughts and behaviors that can cause anxiety. It can help you control your anxiety and learn coping skills. Based on the severity of your problem exposure therapy or cognitive behavior therapy may be recommended. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps you to confront negative and fearful thoughts and overcome your avoidance of situations that cause anxiety. The process involves increasing the level of anxiety provoking situations until they become manageable. It can be done in a group or on your own. In both instances it takes time to achieve results. A combination of medications and psychological therapy is the best option for some people. Some people find that medication alone is sufficient to treat symptoms. Discuss with your doctor how you manage your symptoms.
Other Medicines
While antidepressants and benzodiazepines are the most common treatment for anxiety, other drugs can help ease your symptoms too. Antihistamines, beta blockers, and buspirone are often prescribed to reduce anxiety.
These drugs can help you alleviate your symptoms by lowering or blocking the signals that trigger anxiety and stress. They are not a panacea. You'll need to continue doing other things to control your anxiety, like physical exercise or relaxation techniques, as well as psychological therapy.
Your doctor could initially prescribe one of the "first choice" anxiety medication, which includes SSRIs and SNRIs. They are the most effective medicines to treat anxiety disorders, according to research studies. The most common SSRIs include sertraline (Zoloft), fluoxetine (Prozac) and Citropram (Celexa), and escitalopram (Lexapro). These medications might have mild side effects, like nausea or insomnia, but they usually subside within 4-8 weeks. They aren't addictive and they do not increase the likelihood of suicidal thoughts.
The benzodiazepines, alprazolam (Xanax) and clonazepam (Klonopin), and diazepoxide (Valium) provide immediate relief from anxiety and panic attacks However, they can cause negative effects such as dizziness, drowsiness and coordination problems, and dependence. These medications are less well-known than older barbiturates, however they are equally effective.
Antihistamines, such as Vistaril (hydroxyzine) were designed to help with allergies however, they're also used to ease anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine blocks the histamine receptors in the brain and can cause a calming effect. It is not a controlled drug, so it does not carry the same risk of addiction as benzodiazepines.
Anticonvulsants are a different type of medication which can aid in reducing anxiety. They have been shown to reduce anxiety through interfering in the production and release of dopamine as well as sérotonin. These medications can be prescribed as a part of an integrated therapy or to treat anxiety in the short-term. Your doctor will examine your symptoms and health history to determine whether these medications are right for you. They will also discuss the duration of time you should take these medications and any adverse effects that could occur. Anxiety medications are only available on prescription, so a psychiatrist will be required to prescribe it.