Meds That Treat Anxiety
Anxiety affects more than 40 million adults in the United States. A variety 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 popular anxiety medications are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro) and fluoxetine (Prozac). These medications are also used to treat depression and alleviate symptoms of anxiety disorders such as obsessive compulsive disorder. They may take up to a month before they begin to work.
These drugs help by increasing the levels of certain chemical transmitters within the brain. This includes serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. They're typically the first treatment option for anxiety, but doctors also use other types of antidepressants as well as benzodiazepines.
Antidepressants like duloxetine (Cymbalta), and venlafaxine (Effexor) are also used to treat anxiety. They differ from SSRIs as 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 in treating anxiety disorders. Their drowsiness, as well as other adverse effects, make them less popular. Another type of antidepressant, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), can also be used to combat anxiety. However, their strict dietary restrictions and high risk of toxicity restrict their use.
holistic treatment for anxiety are often used to treat panic attacks and anxiety in the short term like when you wait for SSRIs or SNRIs to take effect. These drugs can trigger tolerance, sedation and addiction and withdrawal reactions that include rebound depression, anxiety and even delirium. The most commonly used benzodiazepines are alprazolam (Xanax) as well as clonazepam (Klonopin) and lorazepam (Ativan).
Therapy is an essential part of any treatment for anxiety. It assists you to better know your symptoms and their reasons. Many people find that therapy and medication both aid in coping. Certain studies have demonstrated that cognitive behavioral therapy is as effective as anxiety medications. Talk to your doctor to find out what's best for you.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines have an calming effect, which can reduce anxiety and relax muscles that are tense. They also alleviate symptoms of bodily stimulation related to fear (like heart rate or shaking) and encourage sleep.
The way they work is through binding to inhibitory neurotransmitters like gamma-aminobutryic acids or GABA and interacting with receptors in the central nervous system. They enhance the effects of GABA by facilitating its inhibitory effect on other neurotransmitters while reducing 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 are typically employed for short periods of time like panic attacks or an anxiety attack. They may relieve symptoms within 30 to 60 minutes. Benzodiazepines are, in contrast to SSRIs don't stay in the body for long. They are fast-acting and often perform in just a few hours, which makes them ideal for situations where you require quick relief (like during a flight or before giving an address in public).
They can be addictive, so people are usually prescribed them for up to four weeks at one time. They also lose their effectiveness after that time.
One of the main reasons the benzodiazepines became so well-known is that they were effective and had a few adverse effects, when compared to their predecessors, such as meprobamate or barbiturates. They are safe and have a rapid start, and can be used as anxiolytics in order to reduce anxiety. They can also be used as sedatives, anticonvulsants and muscle relaxants.
Benzos are often blamed for the negative attitudes towards anxiety that emerged in the 1970s and 1980s, including the denial of the disorder and the belief that benzodiazepine treatment leads to physical dependence. However, they continue to play a crucial role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, particularly in conjunction with psychosocial interventions like cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy.
Benzos can interact with other medications and cause undesirable side effects such as drowsiness and disorientation. It is important to inform your doctor know about any other prescription, non-prescription, or herbal medicines you are taking or thinking about taking. You can find out which medications are safe to use with benzodiazepines by checking the British National Formulary A-Z list for medication 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 antidepressants for other health conditions, including bipolar disorder, eating disorders and certain kinds of pain.
Most doctors recommend SSRIs as the first line treatment for anxiety, however these medications may not be suitable for everyone. If they don't work doctors can consider a different type of antidepressant known as tricyclic or tetracyclic antidepressants. These include amitriptyline or nortriptyline as well as clomipramine. These antidepressants are not as popular but are still accessible. You can also ask your physician to prescribe the sedating antidepressant trazodone(Desyrel) at lower doses if you're having sleep problems or anxiety.
Nefazodone, also known as Ferdinand (Cymbalta), and duloxetine are also useful. They are also available in generic form. If they don't work, your doctor can try the antidepressant that is sedating, mirtazapine (Remeron) or the antipsychotics quetiapine or olanzapine.
Treatments for other anxiety disorders include beta blockers that reduce the blood pressure and heart rate by preventing the action of adrenaline. These medications aren't typically used to treat anxiety by themselves, but can be helpful when paired with psychotherapy.
Psychotherapy can help you change negative thoughts and behaviors that contribute towards your anxiety. It can help you to control your anxiety, and develop coping skills. Depending on the severity of your situation, exposure therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy might be recommended. Cognitive behavioral therapy teaches you to challenge negative and fearful thoughts and overcome your avoidance of situations that trigger anxiety. Exposure therapy is the process of increasing the level of anxiety provoking situations until they are manageable. This can be done individually or in smaller groups. In both cases, results take time to appear. A combination of medication and psychotherapy therapy is the best option for some people. Some people find that taking medication alone is sufficient to treat symptoms. It's crucial to tell your doctor about the things you're doing to manage your symptoms.
Other Medications
Other medications can aid in relieving your symptoms. Antihistamines and beta blockers are often prescribed to ease anxiety.
These drugs can correct an imbalance in your brain's chemical balance and can help ease your symptoms by lowering or blocking the signals that can cause anxiety and stress. But, they're not a cure all. You'll still need to do other things to manage anxiety, such as exercises or relaxation techniques, as well as psychological therapy.
The SSRIs or SNRIs are often the first choice of anxiety medication that your doctor can prescribe. These are the most effective medications to treat anxiety disorders, according to research studies. SSRIs are usually found in sertraline (Zoloft), the fluoxetine, citalopram and escitalopram. These drugs can cause minor side effects, such as insomnia and nausea, but these usually subside in 4-8 weeks. Unlike the benzodiazepines, they're not addictive and won't increase your risk for suicidal thoughts.
The benzodiazepines alprazolam (Xanax) and clonazepam (Klonopin) and diazepoxide (Valium) provide immediate relief for anxiety and panic attacks however they can also cause adverse effects, such as dizziness, drowsiness, memory and coordination issues, as well as dependence. These medications are less well-known than the older barbiturates, but they are equally effective.
Antihistamines such as Vistaril (hydroxyzine) were initially designed to help with allergies. However they can also be used to reduce anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine can have a calming effect because it blocks histamine receptors. It's not a controlled substance, so it doesn't have the same risks of addiction as benzodiazepines.
Anticonvulsants are another kind of medication that can be used to treat anxiety. They have been shown to reduce anxiety through inhibiting the production of and release of dopamine as well as sérotonin. These medications are often used as part of a combination therapy or used to treat anxiety in the short-term. Your doctor will examine your symptoms and health history to determine whether these medications are appropriate for you. They'll also talk about how long you should take them and any potential adverse effects. Anxiety medications can only be purchased on prescription, so you'll need to visit a psychiatrist to get them.