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. In contrast to benzodiazepines, they're addictive.
SSRIs
The most commonly used anxiety medications are selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) which include citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro) and fluoxetine (Prozac). These medications can also help with depression, and can ease the symptoms of anxiety disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). They can take up to a month before they begin to work.
herbal treatment for anxiety help by increasing the levels of certain chemical transmitters in the brain. This includes serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. They're usually the first treatment option for anxiety, but doctors also use other types of antidepressants and benzodiazepines.
Antidepressants such as duloxetine, (Cymbalta), and venlafaxine, (Effexor) are also used to treat anxiety. They function a bit differently from SSRIs in that they reduce the reabsorption of norepinephrine as well as serotonin, although at lower levels than SSRIs. These medications can take a while to begin taking effect, and they also are more expensive than SSRIs.
Tricyclic antidepressants, like imipramine Tofranil are effective for treating anxiety disorders. However their drowsiness as well as other adverse reactions make them less popular. Another form of antidepressant is monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs), can also be used to combat anxiety. They are a high risk of toxicity and dietary restrictions make them unsuitable for use.
Benzodiazepines are frequently used to treat anxiety and panic attacks in the short term, such as when waiting for SSRIs or SNRIs to kick in. These medications can trigger addiction tolerance, sedation, and tolerance as well as withdrawal symptoms like a rebound anxiety, depression, and delirium. The most common benzodiazepines are alprazolam (Xanax) as well as clonazepam (Klonopin) and lorazepam (Ativan).
Therapy is a crucial component of the treatment for anxiety, as it helps you learn more about your symptoms and their causes. Many people find that both therapy and medication help them manage their anxiety. Certain studies have proven that cognitive behavioral therapy can be just as effective as medications for anxiety. Talk with your physician about your options and what might be best for you.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines create a calming effect, decrease anxiety and relax muscles that are tense. They also reduce symptoms of bodily arousal due to fear (like heart racing and trembling) and help promote sleep.
They work by binding to inhibitory neurons, such as 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 reducing the amount of messages that are sent to the amygdala, an area of the brain that assesses threats and produces the sensation of fear.
These drugs can be used for short durations of time, such as when you experience a panic attack or if you are experiencing extreme anxiety. They can help relieve symptoms in 30 to 60 minutes. Benzodiazepines are different from SSRIs do not stay in the body for a long time. They're quick-acting and can be used within a couple of hours. This makes them suitable for situations when quick relief is required (such as during an airplane ride or before giving a presentation in public).
They can be addictive, so it is recommended to only prescribe them for up to 4 weeks at one time. They also lose their effectiveness after a period of time.
One of the reasons why benzodiazepines are so popular is because they are effective and have few adverse effects when compared to their predecessors such as barbiturates and meprobamate. They have a rapid time to begin their action and are very effective as anxiolytics (anti-anxiety) as well as sedatives and anticonvulsants, as well as for muscle relaxants.
Benzos have been blamed for the negative attitudes towards anxiety that developed in the 1970s and 1980s, including the stigmatization of anxiety and the belief that benzodiazepine treatment causes physical dependence. Despite this, they continue to play a significant role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, specifically in combination with psychosocial interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy.
Benzos can interact with other drugs and trigger unwanted side effects, such as drowsiness or confusion. You should tell your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription or herbal medicines you are currently taking or are planning to take. You can determine which medications are safe to take along with benzodiazepines by looking up the British National Formulary A-Z list of medication interactions.
Antidepressants
Antidepressants can reduce anxiety and other mental health conditions. 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 for other health conditions, too, such as eating disorders, certain kinds of pain, and bipolar disorder.
SSRIs are usually prescribed as a first-line treatment of anxiety by doctors, but they might not be effective for everyone. If these antidepressants don't work doctors may suggest an older version called a tetracyclic or tricyclic antidepressant. These include amitriptyline and nortriptyline, clomipramine, dothiepin, doxepin, trimipramine or imipramine. These antidepressants aren't as common but still readily available. Your doctor may prescribe the antidepressant with a sedating effect, trazodone (Desyrel) in lower doses for sleep or anxiety.
Nefazodone, also referred to as Ferdinand (Cymbalta) and duloxetine are also useful. These drugs are also available in generic forms. If they aren't helping, your doctor may try the antipsychotics quetiapine and olanzapine or the sedative antidepressant Mirtazapine.
Beta blockers are used to treat anxiety disorders. They reduce blood pressure and heart rate by blocking adrenaline. These drugs aren't commonly used to treat anxiety on their own however they can be beneficial when combined with psychological therapy.
Psychological therapy can help you to change negative thoughts and behavior patterns that contribute to your anxiety. It can teach you to manage your anxiety and develop how to cope. Depending on the severity of your situation exposure therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy may be recommended. Cognitive behavioural therapy helps you develop the ability to confront negative, fearful thoughts and overcome the fear of situations that trigger anxiety. The process involves increasing the anxiety provoking situations until they can be managed. It can be done either individually or in a small group. In both instances, it takes time to achieve results. Some people believe that the combination of medication and psychotherapy is the best option. Some people find that taking medication alone is enough to manage symptoms. It's important to tell your doctor what you're doing to manage your symptoms.
Other Medicines
Other drugs can also aid in relieving your symptoms. Antihistamines, beta blockers, and buspirone are all prescribed to alleviate anxiety.
These medications can help reduce your symptoms, by lowering or blocking the signals that cause stress and fear. They're not a panacea. You will still need to do things to manage anxiety, like exercises as well as relaxation techniques, and psychological therapy.
Your doctor may initially prescribe one of the "first choices" anxiety medications, which include SSRIs and SNRIs. They are the most effective drugs for treating anxiety disorders, according to research studies. SSRIs are usually found in sertraline (Zoloft) and fluoxetine, citalopram, and escitalopram. These medications can cause mild side effects such as insomnia and nausea, but these usually subside in 4-8 weeks. They aren't addictive, and they don't increase the risk of suicidal ideas.
The benzodiazepines, alprazolam (Xanax) as well as Clonazepam (Klonopin) and diazepoxide (Valium) offer immediate relief for anxiety and panic attacks, but they can have side effects, including dizziness, drowsiness, memory and coordination issues, as well as dependence. These are less popular than the older barbiturates, but they are equally effective.
Antihistamines, such as Vistaril (hydroxyzine) were originally designed to help with allergies. However they also serve to alleviate anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine can have a calming effect by blocking the histamine receptors. It's not a controlled substance which means it doesn't carry the same dangers of addiction as benzodiazepines.
Another type of medication that can help with anxiety is a group of medications called anticonvulsants. They have been shown to relieve anxiety by affecting the release and production of dopamine and serotonin. They can be prescribed in conjunction with other medications or as a short-term treatment for anxiety. Your doctor will evaluate your symptoms and health history to determine if these drugs are appropriate for you. They'll also discuss how long you should be taking them and any potential adverse effects. Anxiety medication is only available with a prescription, so you'll have to see a psychiatrist before you can get these medications.