Meds That Treat Anxiety
Anxiety is among the most frequent mental health issues that affects 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. Contrary to benzodiazepines they're not addictive.
SSRIs
The most popular anxiety medications are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro) and fluoxetine (Prozac). These drugs are also used to treat depression and alleviate symptoms of other anxiety disorders such as obsessive compulsive disorder. It can take up one month before they begin working.
These drugs increase the production of certain chemical messengers within the brain, including serotonin and norepinephrine. These medications are typically the first option to treat anxiety, but doctors can also prescribe other kinds of antidepressants and benzodiazepines.
Antidepressants such as duloxetine, (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine, (Effexor) are also used to treat anxiety. They work a little differently than SSRIs in that they reduce the reabsorption rate of norepinephrine and serotonin, but at lower levels than SSRIs. These medications take a lengthy time to be effective and are more expensive than SSRIs.
Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) such as imipramine (Tofranil), are effective in treating certain anxiety disorders, notably GAD. Their drowsiness, and other adverse effects, make them less popular. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are a different kind of antidepressant used to combat anxiety. They are a high risk of toxicity and the restriction on dietary intake limit their use.
Benzodiazepines are frequently used to treat panic attacks and anxiety in the short-term, such as when waiting for SSRIs or SNRIs to kick in. These medications can cause tolerance addiction, sedation, and withdrawal reactions that may cause anxiety, depression and even delusions. Benzodiazepines are typically found in alprazolam, clonazepam, and lorazepam.
Therapy is a crucial component of the treatment for anxiety because it allows you to learn more about your symptoms and the root causes. Many people discover that medication and therapy help them to cope. In fact, some studies suggest that cognitive behavioral therapy is as effective as anxiety medications. Talk with your physician about your options and which is the best option for you.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines create a calming effect, decrease anxiety and relax muscles. They also ease symptoms of bodily stress related to fear (like heart rate, trembling or shaking), and promote sleep.
The way they function is by binding to inhibitory neurotransmitters like gamma-aminobutryic acid, or GABA, at receptors in the central nervous system. They boost the effects of GABA 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 region of the brain that is able to detect threats and produces a feeling of fear.
These drugs can be used for short periods of time, such as when a panic attack occurs or when you experience extreme anxiety. They may relieve symptoms within 30 to 60 minutes. Benzodiazepines, unlike SSRIs do not stay in the body for a long time. They are fast acting and can be used in a matter of hours. This makes them ideal for situations when immediate relief is needed (such as during an airplane ride or before a presentation in public).
Since they can be addictive, people are typically prescribed for a period of up to four weeks at a go. They also lose their effectiveness after that time.
One of the reasons benzodiazepines became so popular is that they were effective and had few side effects when compared to their predecessors, such as meprobamate or barbiturates. They are efficient and have a rapid onset and can be used as anxiolytics in order to reduce anxiety. They can also be employed 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 can lead to physical dependence. Yet however, benzodiazepines still play a crucial part in the treatment of anxiety disorders, especially when they are combined with psychosocial interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or interpersonal therapies.
Benzos may interact with other medications and trigger undesirable side effects such as drowsiness and confusion. It is recommended to inform your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription, or herbal medication you currently take or plan to take. Check the British National Formulary A to Z list of medication interactions to find out which medications are safe with benzodiazepines.
Antidepressants
Antidepressants can help ease anxiety and other mental health issues. 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, too, such as eating disorders, some types of pain, and bipolar disorder.
SSRIs are usually prescribed as a first-line treatment option for anxiety by doctors, but they might not be effective for everyone. If they fail doctors might consider a different type of antidepressant, known as tricyclic or tetracyclic an antidepressant. These include amitriptyline and nortriptyline, clomipramine and trimipramine, doxepin and dothiepin or imipramine. They're less popular than the newer antidepressants, yet they're still readily available. Your doctor may prescribe the antidepressant with a sedating effect, trazodone (Desyrel) in lower doses to treat anxiety or insomnia.
Nefazodone, a.k.a Ferdinand (Cymbalta), and duloxetine can also be beneficial. They are also available in generic forms. If they don't work, your doctor can try the tranquilizing antidepressant mirtazapine (Remeron) or the antipsychotics olanzapine and quetiapine.
Treatments for other anxiety disorders include beta blockers, which decrease the blood pressure and heart rate by blocking the actions of adrenaline. anxiety treatment aren't commonly used to treat anxiety on their own however they can be beneficial when combined with psychotherapy.
Psychological therapy can help you change negative thoughts and behavior patterns that cause anxiety. It can help you learn to manage your anxiety and develop coping skills. Depending on your condition, you might receive cognitive behavioural therapy or exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioural therapy can help you develop the ability to confront negative thoughts, fears and avoidance of situations that trigger anxiety. Exposure therapy involves increasing the anxiety provoking situations until they are manageable. It can be carried out in a group or individually. In both instances, it takes time to achieve results. A combination of medication and psychotherapy therapy is the best choice for some people. However, others find that medication alone is sufficient to treat their symptoms. It is important to inform your doctor about the things you're doing to control your symptoms.
Other Medical Treatments
Other medications can help relieve your symptoms. Beta blockers and antihistamines are sometimes prescribed to relieve anxiety.
These drugs can help you ease your symptoms, by lowering or blocking the signals that trigger anxiety and stress. However, they're not the only solution. You'll require a variety of methods to manage anxiety, such as physical exercise as well as relaxation techniques, and psychological therapy.
Your doctor might first prescribe one of the "first choices" anxiety medications, which include SSRIs and SNRIs. These are the most effective medicines for treating anxiety disorders according to research studies. SSRIs are usually found in sertraline (Zoloft) and fluoxetine, citalopram, and escitalopram. These medications might have mild side effects, like insomnia or nausea, however they usually subside within 4-8 weeks. Contrary to benzodiazepines they're not addictive and do not increase your risk for suicidal thoughts.
The benzodiazepines, alprazolam, diazepoxide, and clonazepam (Valium), provide immediate relief from panic and anxiety attacks. However, they may cause side effects such as drowsiness and dizziness. They can also cause problems with coordination and memory, and may even cause dependence. They're a less popular choice over the more traditional barbiturates but they're just as efficient.
Antihistamines such as Vistaril (hydroxyzine) were originally created to treat allergies. However they also serve to reduce anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine may have a relaxing effect by blocking the histamine receptors. It's not a controlled substance, so it doesn't have the same dangers of addiction as benzodiazepines.
Anticonvulsants are an additional type of medication which can help with anxiety. They have been proven to reduce anxiety by blocking the production and release dopamine and sérotonin. They might be prescribed in combination with other medicines or as a short-term treatment for anxiety. Your doctor will examine your medical history and symptoms to determine if these medications are suitable for you. They'll also discuss the length of time you should be taking them and any potential adverse effects. Anxiety medications can only be purchased with a prescription, so you'll need to see a psychiatrist before you can get these medications.