Meds That Treat Anxiety
Anxiety is among the most frequent mental health conditions which affects more than 40 million people in the United States. Many types of medications are available to treat it.
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 common anxiety medication is selective serotonin reuptake inhibits (SSRIs) which include citalopram, escitalopram, and fluoxetine. These drugs also treat depression and can help relieve symptoms associated with other anxiety disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It could take up to a month before they start working.
These drugs help by increasing the levels of certain chemical transmitters within the brain. This includes serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. These drugs are usually the first choice for treating anxiety, though doctors may prescribe other forms of antidepressants and benzodiazepines.
Another class of antidepressants, called serotonin and norepinephrine-reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) such as duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor) are used to treat anxiety. They work a little differently than SSRIs, as they also reduce the reabsorption rate of norepinephrine and serotonin, but at lower levels than SSRIs. These medicines may take some time to start taking effects, and also tend to be more expensive than SSRIs.
Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), such as imipramine (Tofranil) are effective in treating certain anxiety disorders, notably GAD. However their drowsiness as well as other side effects make them less well-known. Another type of antidepressant, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), can also be used to treat anxiety. Their high toxicity risk and the restriction on dietary intake limit their use.
Benzodiazepines can be used treat panic attacks and anxiety in the short-term while waiting for SSRIs and SNRIs. These drugs can trigger tolerance and addiction, sedation and apathy and withdrawal reactions that can cause rebound depression, anxiety and even delusions. Benzodiazepines are typically found in alprazolam as well as clonazepam and lorazepam.
Therapy is an important part of a treatment plan for anxiety as it can help you learn more about your symptoms and their causes. Many people find that medication and therapy help them to cope. Some studies suggest that cognitive therapy is as effective as medication for anxiety. Talk to your doctor about your options and which might be best for you.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines have a calming effect, decrease anxiety and relax muscles that are tense. They also ease symptoms of bodily arousal related to fear (like heart racing and shaking) and help promote sleep.
They function by binding to inhibitory neurons, for example GABA or gamma aminobutryic acid, at receptors within the central nervous system. They increase the effects of GABA by facilitating the inhibitory effects of GABA on other neurotransmitters and decreasing the amount of messages that are sent to the amygdala. This is a part of the brain which assesses threats and produces a feeling of fear.
These medications are typically used for short periods, such as during a panic attack or severe anxiety episodes. They can help relieve symptoms in 30 to 60 minutes. Benzodiazepines, unlike SSRIs don't stay in the body for long. They're fast-acting and usually work in a matter of hours, making them suitable for situations where quick relief is needed (like during an airplane flight or before a public presentation).
Since they can be addictive, people are usually prescribed for a period of up to four weeks at a go. They also lose effectiveness after that time.
One of the main reasons the benzodiazepines became so well-known is that they worked and had few side effects when compared to their predecessors, like meprobamate or barbiturates. They are safe and have a rapid start, and can be employed as anxiolytics to decrease anxiety. anxiety treatment therapy can also be employed as sedatives, anticonvulsants, and muscle relaxants.
Benzos were blamed for the negative attitudes towards anxiety that emerged in the 1970s and 80s, including the minimization of the disorder and the perception that benzodiazepine treatments lead to physical dependence. Despite this however, benzodiazepines still play a significant 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 drugs and cause undesirable side-effects such as drowsiness, confusion or drowsiness. It is recommended to inform your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription, or herbal medication you currently take or plan to take. Go through the British National Formulary A to Z list of interactions with medications to determine which medications are safe with benzodiazepines.
Antidepressants
Antidepressants are effective in treating anxiety and other mental 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 a variety of antidepressants to treat other health ailments, too, such as eating disorders, certain types 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, the doctor may try an older version called a tetracyclic or tricyclic antidepressant. These include amitriptyline and nortriptyline and Clomipramine. They're less popular than the newer antidepressants but are still readily available. You may also ask your doctor to prescribe the sedating antidepressant, trazodone(Desyrel) at lower doses in case you are having sleep problems or anxiety.
Nefazodone, also known as Ferdinand (Cymbalta), and duloxetine are also helpful. They are also available in generic form. If they don't work, your doctor may suggest the tranquilizing antidepressant mirtazapine (Remeron) or the antipsychotics quetiapine or olanzapine.
Other medications for anxiety disorders include beta blockers that reduce the heart rate and blood pressure by blocking the actions of adrenaline. These drugs aren't commonly used to treat anxiety by themselves however they can be helpful when paired with psychotherapy.
Psychological therapy can help you to change negative thoughts and behaviours that cause anxiety. It can help you control your anxiety and learn strategies for coping. Based on your specific health condition, you could receive cognitive behavioural therapy or exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy teaches you to challenge fears and thoughts that are harmful, and overcome your avoidance of situations which trigger anxiety. The process involves increasing the anxiety-inducing situations until they become manageable. This can be done individually or in smaller groups. In both instances it takes time to demonstrate results. A combination of medications and psychological therapy is the best option for certain people. Some people find that taking medication alone is sufficient to treat symptoms. It's important to tell your doctor what you're doing to control your symptoms.
Other Medicines
While antidepressants and benzodiazepines are the most frequently prescribed treatments for anxiety, other drugs can help ease your symptoms too. Beta blockers and antihistamines are often prescribed to ease anxiety.
These drugs can correct an imbalance in the brain's chemicals and can ease your symptoms by lowering or blocking the signals that can cause anxiety and stress. However, they're not a cure all. You will still require a variety of methods to manage anxiety, like exercises relaxation techniques, relaxation techniques and psychological therapy.
Your doctor may initially prescribe one of the "first choice" 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 may cause mild side effects like insomnia and nausea, but they usually disappear within 4-8 weeks. Contrary to benzodiazepines they're not addictive and don't increase the risk of suicidal ideas.
The benzodiazepines alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin) and diazepoxide (Valium) provide immediate relief from panic attacks and anxiety however they can also cause negative effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, memory and coordination problems, and dependence. These medications are less well-known than older barbiturates but are equally effective.
Antihistamines such as Vistaril (hydroxyzine) were initially developed to relieve allergies. However they also serve to ease anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine blocks the histamine receptors in the brain and may cause an energizing effect. It's not a controlled substance which means it doesn't carry the same risks of addiction as benzodiazepines.
Anticonvulsants are another type of medication which can help with anxiety. They have been proven to decrease anxiety by blocking the production and release of dopamine as well as sérotonin. These medications are often used as part of an integrated therapy or to treat anxiety in the short-term. Your doctor will review your health history and symptoms to determine if these drugs are appropriate for you. They will also discuss the duration of time you should take these medicines and any potential side effects that may occur. Anxiety medications can only be purchased with a prescription, so you'll need to visit a psychiatrist to get these medications.