Meds That Treat Anxiety
Anxiety is among the most common mental health problems that affects 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. Contrary to benzodiazepines they're not addictive.
SSRIs
The most commonly used anxiety medication is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro) and fluoxetine (Prozac). These medications can also treat depression and can alleviate symptoms associated with other anxiety disorders, like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It could take up to a month to begin working.
These medications help by increasing the levels of certain chemical transmitters within the brain. This includes serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. They are usually the first option for anxiety, but doctors also use other types of antidepressants as well as benzodiazepines.
Another class of antidepressants, known as serotonin and norepinephrine-reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) like duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor), are also used to treat anxiety. They are a bit different from SSRIs because they decrease norepinephrine, but at a lower degree than SSRIs. These medications take a long time to be effective and are more expensive than SSRIs.
Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), such as imipramine (Tofranil), are effective in treating certain anxiety disorders, particularly GAD. However, their drowsiness and other side effects are what make them less popular. Monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs) are a different kind of antidepressant used to combat anxiety. However, their dietary restrictions and high risk of toxicity limit their usage.
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 dependence tolerance, sedation, and tolerance as well as withdrawal symptoms such a rebound anxiety, depression and delirium. Common benzodiazepines include alprazolam (Xanax) and Clonazepam (Klonopin) and lorazepam (Ativan).
Therapy is a vital part of any treatment plan for anxiety. It aids you in better know your symptoms and their reasons. Many people discover that both therapy and medication can help them manage their anxiety. Some studies have shown that cognitive behavioral therapy is as effective as medications for anxiety. Consult anxiety disorder treatments at home to determine what is the best option for you.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines have a calming effect, reduce anxiety and relax muscles that are tense. They also alleviate symptoms of bodily arousal due to fear (like heart rate, trembling and shaking) and encourage sleep.
The way they work is by binding to inhibitory neurotransmitters, like gamma-aminobutryic acids or GABA which is a receptor in 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 that are transmitted to the amygdala, which is the brain's region that assesses threats and produces the feeling of fear.
These medications can be utilized for short durations, such as when panic attacks occur or when you experience severe anxiety. They can help ease symptoms within 30 to 90 minutes of taking them. Benzodiazepines are different from SSRIs don't stay 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 in which you require quick relief (like during an airplane flight or prior to giving an address in public).
They are addictive, and people are generally only prescribed them for a maximum of 4 weeks at each time. They also lose their effectiveness after that time.
One of the reasons why benzodiazepines are so well-known is that they are safe and have minimal negative effects compared to predecessors like barbiturates and meprobamate. They are efficient and have a rapid start, 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 emerged in the 1970s and 1980s, which included the denial of the disorder and the belief that benzodiazepine treatment can lead to physical dependence. However however, benzodiazepines still play a crucial role in the treatment for anxiety disorders, especially when combined with psychosocial interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or interpersonal therapies.
Benzos can interact with other medications and trigger unwanted side effects, such as drowsiness or confusion. It is recommended to inform your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription, or herbal medicines you currently take or are planning to take. Check the British National Formulary A to Z list of interactions with medications to find out which 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 antidepressants to treat other health conditions, including eating disorders, bipolar disorder and certain kinds of pain.
SSRIs are often prescribed as a first-line treatment option for anxiety by doctors, however they might not work for everyone. If these antidepressants aren't working doctors may suggest an older form of medication known as a tetracyclic, or tricyclic antidepressant. This includes amitriptyline, nortriptyline, clomipramine and trimipramine, dothiepin, doxepin or imipramine. These antidepressants aren't as common but still accessible. You can also ask your physician to prescribe the sedating antidepressant trazodone(Desyrel) at lower doses if you are experiencing anxiety or sleep problems.
Nefazodone, a.k.a Ferdinand (Cymbalta) and duloxetine are also helpful. They are also available in generic form. If they aren't working, your physician can try the sedating antidepressant mirtazapine (Remeron) or the antipsychotics olanzapine and quetiapine.
Other medications for anxiety disorders include beta blockers that reduce the blood pressure and heart rate by preventing the action of adrenaline. These medications are not typically used to treat anxiety alone, but they can be effective when used in conjunction with psychotherapy.
Psychotherapy can help you change negative thoughts and behaviors that can cause anxiety. It can help you learn to manage your anxiety and develop coping skills. Based on your specific condition, you might undergo exposure or cognitive behavioural therapy. Cognitive behavioural therapy can help you develop the ability to confront negative thoughts, fears and avoidance of situations that trigger your anxiety. Exposure therapy involves gradually increasing the intensity of anxiety-inducing situations until you are able to handle the stressors. This can be done in a single session or in a small group. In both instances, the results can take a while to show. A combination of medications and psychological therapy is the best choice for certain people. However, others find that medication alone is sufficient to control their symptoms. Inform your doctor about how you manage your symptoms.
Other Medical Treatments
Other medications can help alleviate your symptoms. Beta blockers, antihistamines and buspirone are often prescribed to reduce anxiety.
These medications can help ease your symptoms, by reducing or blocking signals that cause stress and fear. However, they'ren't the only solution. You'll need to do things to manage anxiety, such as exercises relaxation techniques, relaxation techniques and psychological therapy.
Your doctor might initially prescribe one of the "first choices" anxiety medication, which includes SSRIs and SNRIs. According to research, these drugs are the most effective in treating anxiety disorders. SSRIs are typically found in sertraline (Zoloft), the fluoxetine, citalopram and escitalopram. These medications may have mild side effects, such as insomnia or nausea, however they typically disappear within 4-8 weeks. They aren't addictive, and they do not increase the risk of suicidal thoughts.
The benzodiazepines, alprazolam, clonazepam, and diazepoxide, (Valium), provide immediate relief from panic and anxiety attacks. However, they could cause side effects, such as dizziness and drowsiness. They may also cause problems with coordination and memory and even dependence. They're a less popular choice over the more traditional barbiturates but are just as effective.
Antihistamines, such as Vistaril (hydroxyzine) were originally designed to help with allergies. However, they are also used to reduce anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine may have a relaxing affect by blocking histamine receptors. It's not a controlled drug which means it doesn't carry the same risks of addiction like benzodiazepines.
Another kind of medication that may help with anxiety is a class called anticonvulsants. They have been shown to relieve anxiety by inhibiting the production and release of serotonin and dopamine. These medications can be prescribed as a part of an integrated therapy or to treat anxiety in the short term. Your doctor will evaluate your symptoms and health history to determine whether these medications are suitable for you. They will also discuss the duration of time you'll need to take these medications as well as any possible adverse effects that could occur. Anxiety medications are only available on prescription, which means that it is necessary to see a psychiatrist to prescribe it.