Meds That Treat Anxiety

Anxiety is one of the most prevalent mental health problems, affecting 40 million adults in the United States. It's extremely 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 popular anxiety medications are selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro) and fluoxetine (Prozac). These medications also treat depression and can ease symptoms associated with other anxiety disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). They can take up to a month for them to begin working.

They are effective by increasing the quantity of certain chemical transmitters in the brain. This includes serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. They're usually the first treatment option for anxiety, but doctors may also prescribe other kinds of antidepressants and benzodiazepines.

Another class of antidepressants called 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. They can take a while to take effect, and they also are more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants, like imipramine Tofranil, can be effective for treating anxiety disorders. However, their drowsiness and other adverse reactions make them less popular. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are another kind of antidepressant that can be used to treat anxiety. However, their dietary restrictions and high risk of toxicity limit their usage.

Benzodiazepines are commonly 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 tolerance addiction, sedation and withdrawal reactions that can cause rebound depression, anxiety, and even delusions. The most common benzodiazepines are alprazolam (Xanax) and Clonazepam (Klonopin) and lorazepam (Ativan).

Therapy is an essential component of a treatment plan for anxiety as it can help you discover more about the symptoms and the root causes. Many people find that medication and therapy both help them cope. Some studies have shown that cognitive behavioral therapy is as effective as anxiety medications. Talk with your physician about your options and which might be best treatment for health anxiety for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines have an calming effect, which can reduce anxiety and relax muscles that are tense. They also reduce symptoms of bodily arousal related to fear (like heart racing and shaking) and help promote sleep.

The way they work is through binding to inhibitory neurotransmitters, like gamma-aminobutryic acid, or GABA which is a receptor in the central nervous system. They boost the effects of GABA by facilitating the inhibitory effect of GABA on other neurotransmitters and by reducing the volume of messages sent to amygdala. This is a region of the brain that evaluates the threat and triggers a feeling of anxiety.

These medications are typically taken for short durations, such as during an attack of panic or a severe anxiety attack. They can help ease the symptoms within 30 to 90 minutes of taking them. Contrary to SSRIs they don't stay in the body for very long. They're fast-acting and usually work in a matter of hours, making them ideal for situations when immediate relief is required (like during an airplane flight or before giving an event in public).

They are addictive, and it is recommended to only prescribe them for up to four weeks at one time. After that time they also cease to be effective.

One of the reasons why benzodiazepines are so well-known is that they are effective and have few side effects compared to their predecessors like barbiturates and meprobamate. They have a quick onset of action and are very useful as anxiolytics (anti-anxiety), sedatives, anticonvulsants, as well as for muscle relaxants.

Benzos have been blamed for the negative perceptions of anxiety that emerged in the 1970s and 1980s. This included the denial of the disorder and the belief that benzodiazepine treatment causes physical dependence. Yet the fact that benzodiazepines play a significant part in the treatment of anxiety disorders, particularly when they are combined with psychosocial interventions like cognitive behavioral therapy and other interpersonal therapies.

Benzos can interact with other drugs and cause unwanted side-effects, like drowsiness or confusion. You should tell your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription or herbal medicines you currently take or plan to take. Check the British National Formulary A to Z list of medication interactions to find out what 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 antidepressants to treat other health conditions, such as eating disorders, bipolar disorder and certain types of pain.

SSRIs are often prescribed as a first-line treatment for anxiety by doctors, but they might not be effective for all people. If the antidepressants do not work the doctor might suggest an older version called a tetracyclic or tricyclic antidepressant. These include amitriptyline or nortriptyline, as well as clomipramine. These antidepressants are not as popular but still readily available. Your doctor can also prescribe the sedating antidepressant trazodone (Desyrel) in lower doses for sleep or anxiety.

Nefazodone, also known as Ferdinand (Cymbalta) and duloxetine can also be helpful. These drugs are also available in generic forms. If they do not work, your doctor may suggest the tranquilizing antidepressant mirtazapine (Remeron) or the antipsychotics olanzapine and quetiapine.

Treatments for other anxiety disorders include beta blockers, which reduce the blood pressure and heart rate by blocking the actions of adrenaline. These drugs aren't commonly used for anxiety alone, but can be helpful when combined with psychotherapy.

Psychological therapy can help you overcome negative thoughts and behavior patterns that cause anxiety. It will help you learn to manage your anxiety and build coping skills. Depending on the severity of your condition, exposure therapy or cognitive behavior therapy could be suggested. Cognitive behavioral therapy teaches you to challenge negative and fearful thoughts and overcome your fear of situations that trigger anxiety. Exposure therapy is the process of increasing the level of anxiety provoking situations until they can be managed. This can be done individually or in smaller groups. In both instances it takes time to show results. A combination of medication and psychological therapy is the best option for some people. Some people find that medication alone is sufficient to treat symptoms. It's important to tell your doctor what you're doing to manage your symptoms.

Other Medications

Other medications can also help relieve your symptoms. Antihistamines and [Redirect-Java] beta blockers are often prescribed to alleviate anxiety.

These drugs can help you ease your symptoms, by reducing or blocking signals that trigger stress and fear. They're not a cure-all. You'll still have to do other things to control anxiety, such as physical exercise, relaxation techniques, and psychological therapy.

Your doctor could first prescribe one of the "first choice" anxiety medications, which include SSRIs and SNRIs. According to research, these drugs are the most effective in treating anxiety disorders. SSRIs are usually found in sertraline (Zoloft) as well as Citropram, fluoxetine, and escitalopram. These drugs may cause minor adverse effects, like insomnia or nausea, however they usually subside within 4-8 weeks. Unlike the benzodiazepines, they're not addictive and don't increase your risk of having suicidal thoughts.

The benzodiazepines such as alprazolam diazepoxide and clonazepam (Valium) are a quick relief from anxiety and panic attacks. However, they can cause side effects such as drowsiness and dizziness. They can also trigger 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 like Vistaril (hydroxyzine) were originally designed to help with allergies. However they also serve to ease anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine blocks histamine receptors in the brain and may cause a calming effect. It's not a controlled drug, so it doesn't have the same risks 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 ease anxiety by interfering with the production and release of dopamine and serotonin. They may be prescribed in combination with other medicines or as a short-term home treatment for anxiety attack for anxiety. Your doctor will evaluate your symptoms and health history to determine if these medications are appropriate for you. They'll also talk about how long you should take them for and any possible side effects. Anxiety medication is only available through prescription, which means that it is necessary to see a psychiatrist to prescribe it.