Meds That Treat Anxiety
Anxiety is one of the most prevalent mental health conditions, affecting 40 million adults in the United States. Many types of medications are 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. They're not addictive, as are benzodiazepines.
SSRIs
The most commonly used anxiety medication is selective serotonin reuptake inhibits (SSRIs) comprising citalopram, escitalopram, and fluoxetine. These medications also treat depression, and they can ease the symptoms of anxiety disorders, like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It can take up one month for them to start working.
These drugs work by boosting the levels of certain chemical messengers within the brain, such as serotonin and norepinephrine. These drugs are usually the first choice to treat anxiety, although doctors may also prescribe other types of antidepressants or benzodiazepines.
Another class of antidepressants called serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) like duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor), are also used to treat anxiety. They differ from SSRIs since they reduce norepinephrine but at a lower level than SSRIs. These medicines take a long time to work and are more expensive than SSRIs.
I Am Psychiatry (TCAs), such as imipramine (Tofranil) can be effective in treating some anxiety disorders, including GAD. Their drowsiness, along with other adverse effects, make them less popular. Another kind of antidepressant, monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs) can be used to treat anxiety. They are a high risk of toxicity and the restriction on dietary intake restrict their 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 to tolerance, sedation, and dependence as well as withdrawal symptoms such a depression, anxiety, and delirium. Benzodiazepines are typically found in alprazolam as well as clonazepam and lorazepam.
Therapy is a crucial component of any treatment for anxiety. It aids you in better know your symptoms and their causes. Many people find that both therapy and medication can help them manage their anxiety. Some studies suggest that cognitive behavior therapy is as effective as medications for anxiety. Talk with your doctor about your options and what could be the best choice for you.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines can have a calming effect that reduces anxiety and relaxes muscles that are tight. They also alleviate symptoms of bodily stimulation related to fear (like heart rate, trembling or trembling), and promote sleep.
They function by binding to inhibitory neurons, for example GABA or gamma aminobutryic acids and bind to receptors in the central nervous system. They enhance GABA's effects by facilitating the inhibitory effect 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 the threat and triggers a feeling of anxiety.
These medications are sometimes taken for short durations like an attack of panic or a severe anxiety attack. They can help relieve symptoms in 30 to 60 minutes. Contrary to SSRIs they don't stay in the body for very long. They're fast-acting and can be used in a matter of hours. This makes them suitable for situations in which quick relief is required (such for instance, during a flight or prior to presenting in public).
As they can be addictive, people are usually only prescribed them up to four weeks at a time. They also lose effectiveness after a period of time.
One of the main reasons benzodiazepines became so popular is that they worked and had few side effects when compared with their predecessors, like meprobamate or barbiturates. They are fast in the start of action and are extremely effective as anxiolytics (anti-anxiety), sedatives, anticonvulsants, as well as for 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 result in physical dependence. However, they continue to play an important role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, particularly when used in combination with psychosocial interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy.
Benzos can interact with other medications and trigger unwanted side effects, such as drowsiness, confusion or drowsiness. You should tell your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription or herbal medications that you are currently taking or plan to take. You can find out which medications are safe to use with benzodiazepines through the British National Formulary A-Z list for medication interactions.
Antidepressants
Antidepressants are 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 several antidepressants for other health conditions as well, including eating disorders, certain kinds of pain and bipolar disorder.
SSRIs are typically prescribed as a first-line treatment of anxiety by doctors, but they might not work for everyone. If these antidepressants don't work doctors may suggest an older type known as a tetracyclic, or tricyclic antidepressant. These include amitriptyline and nortriptyline, clomipramine and dothiepin, doxepin, trimipramine or imipramine. They're less common than newer antidepressants but are still available. You may ask your doctor to prescribe the sedating antidepressant, trazodone(Desyrel) in lower doses in case you are experiencing sleep issues or anxiety.
Other antidepressants that may help include Nefazodone (Ferdinand) and duloxetine (Cymbalta). These medications are also available in generic form. If they don't work your doctor, you can try the antipsychotics quetiapine or olanzapine or the sedating antidepressant Mirtazapine.
Beta blockers are used to treat other anxiety disorders. They lower blood pressure and heart rate by blocking adrenaline. These medications aren't typically used to treat anxiety on their own, but they can be effective if used in conjunction with psychotherapy.
Psychological therapy can help you to change negative thoughts and behaviors that cause anxiety. It can teach you to manage your anxiety and teach you coping skills. Depending on the severity of your condition exposure therapy or cognitive behavior therapy could be suggested. Cognitive behavioural therapy teaches you to confront fears and thoughts that are harmful, and to overcome your aversion to situations which trigger anxiety. Exposure therapy involves increasing the intensity of anxiety provoking situations until they can be managed. This can be done in a single session or in smaller groups. In both cases, it takes time to show results. A combination of medication and psychological therapy is the best option for certain people. Some people find that meds alone are sufficient to control their symptoms. Inform your doctor about how you manage your symptoms.
Other Medications
Other medications can help relieve your symptoms. Antihistamines and beta blockers are sometimes prescribed to relieve anxiety.
These drugs can help you alleviate your symptoms by reducing or blocking signals that cause anxiety and stress. They're not a cure-all. You will still need to do things to control anxiety, like exercises relaxation techniques, relaxation techniques and psychological therapy.
SSRIs or SNRIs are your first choice of anxiety medication that your doctor can prescribe. According to research, these medications are the most effective for treating anxiety disorders. The most common SSRIs include sertraline (Zoloft) as well as fluoxetine (Prozac), Citropram (Celexa), and escitalopram (Lexapro). These medications can cause mild side effects like insomnia and nausea, however 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, such as alprazolam, diazepoxide and clonazepam (Valium) offer immediate relief from anxiety and panic attacks. However, they could cause adverse effects, including drowsiness and dizziness. They can also trigger memory and coordination issues, and may even cause dependence. They're not as popular than the barbiturates of the past, however, they're equally efficient.
Antihistamines, like Vistaril (hydroxyzine) are designed to help with allergies however, they're also employed to alleviate anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine can have a calming affect by blocking histamine receptors. It's not a controlled drug and therefore doesn't carry the same risks of addiction as benzodiazepines.
Another kind of medication that can help with anxiety is a class of medications known as anticonvulsants. They have been shown to relieve anxiety by affecting the production and release of serotonin and dopamine. These medications are often prescribed as a part of an integrated therapy or to treat anxiety in the short term. Your doctor will assess your medical history and symptoms to determine if these medications are suitable for you. They'll also talk about how long you should take them and any possible negative side effects. Anxiety medications are only available by prescription, which means that it is necessary to see a psychiatrist to prescribe it.