Meds That Treat Anxiety
Anxiety affects more than 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. In contrast to benzodiazepines, they're addictive.
SSRIs
The most popular anxiety medication is selective serotonin reuptake inhibits (SSRIs), including citalopram, escitalopram, and fluoxetine. These medications can also be used to treat depression and alleviate symptoms of anxiety disorders like obsessive compulsive disorder. It can take up one month before they begin working.
These drugs work by boosting the levels of certain chemical messengers in the brain, including serotonin and norepinephrine. They're typically 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 receptor inhibitors (SNRIs) like duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor) are used to treat anxiety. They function a bit differently from SSRIs in that they reduce the reabsorption rate of norepinephrine and serotonin, although at lower levels than SSRIs. They may take some time to begin taking effects, and also tend to be more expensive than SSRIs.
Tricyclic antidepressants, like imipramine Tofranil are effective in treating anxiety disorders. However their drowsiness as well as other side effects are what make them less popular. Monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs) are another kind of antidepressant used to combat anxiety. However, their strict dietary restrictions and the risk of toxicity limit their use.
Benzodiazepines can be used treat anxiety and panic attacks in the short-term while waiting for SSRIs and SNRIs. These medications can trigger addiction to tolerance, sedation, and dependence and withdrawal symptoms such a rebound anxiety, depression and delirium. The most common benzodiazepines are alprazolam (Xanax) and Clonazepam (Klonopin) and lorazepam (Ativan).
Therapy is an important part of a treatment plan for anxiety, as it helps you discover more about the symptoms and the root causes. Many people discover that medication and therapy both help them cope. In fact, some studies suggest that cognitive behavioral therapy is just as effective as medication for anxiety. Consult your physician to find out what's right for you.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines create 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 racing or trembling) 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 increase the effects of GABA by facilitating its inhibitory effect on other neurotransmitters, and reducing the number of messages that are transmitted to the amygdala, which is the brain's region that assesses threats and produces the sensation of fear.
These medicines are often employed for short periods of time like an attack of panic or a severe anxiety episodes. They may help relieve the symptoms within 30 to 90 minutes of taking them. Benzodiazepines, unlike SSRIs don't stay in the body for a long time. They're quick-acting and can work within a few hours. This makes them perfect for situations when rapid relief is required (such for instance, during an airplane ride or prior to presenting in public).
As they can be addictive, people are usually only prescribed them for up to four weeks at a go. After that time they also lose their effectiveness.
One of the reasons why benzodiazepines became so popular is they were efficient and had few side effects when compared to their predecessors, such as meprobamate and barbiturates. They are safe and have a rapid start, and can be used as anxiolytics to reduce anxiety. They can also be employed as sedatives, anticonvulsants, and muscle relaxants.
Benzos are often blamed for the negative perceptions of anxiety that developed in the 1970s and 1980s, which included the denial of the disorder and the belief that benzodiazepine treatment can lead to physical dependence. Despite this they play a significant role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, particularly when used in conjunction with psychosocial interventions like cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy.
Benzos can interact with other drugs and cause unwanted side-effects, such as drowsiness, confusion or drowsiness. It is important to inform your doctor know about any other prescription, non-prescription, or herbal medication you're contemplating or are taking. Check the British National Formulary A to Z list of interactions with medications to find out which medications are safe when taken with benzodiazepines.
Antidepressants
Antidepressants can be 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 for other health issues, such as eating disorders, bipolar disorder, and certain types of pain.
The majority of doctors prescribe SSRIs as a first-line treatment for anxiety, but these drugs may not be effective for everyone. If they don't work, doctors may consider a different type of antidepressant, known as a tricyclic or tetracyclic antidepressant. These include amitriptyline and nortriptyline, as well as clomipramine. They're less common than newer antidepressants, but still readily available. anxiety treatment herbal can also ask your physician to prescribe the sedating antidepressant, trazodone(Desyrel) in lower doses if you're having sleep problems or anxiety.
Other antidepressants that can help include the nefazodone (Ferdinand) and duloxetine (Cymbalta). These medications are also available in generic forms. If they do not work, your doctor may suggest the sedating antidepressant mirtazapine (Remeron) or the antipsychotics quetiapine and olanzapine.
Beta blockers are used to treat anxiety disorders. They reduce heart rate and blood pressure by blocking adrenaline. These medications aren't typically used for anxiety alone however they can be beneficial when paired with psychotherapy.
Psychotherapy can assist you to alter negative thoughts and behaviors that cause anxiety. It can help you to manage your anxiety and develop coping skills. Depending on the severity of your condition, exposure therapy or cognitive behavior therapy could be suggested. Cognitive behavioural therapy assists you to learn to challenge unhelpful thoughts, fearful thoughts and to overcome avoidance of situations that trigger your anxiety. The process involves increasing the level of anxiety-inducing situations until they become manageable. It can be performed either in a group, or by yourself. In both instances, the results can take a while to show. Some people find that a combination of medication and psychotherapy is the best option. Some people find that medication alone is sufficient to treat symptoms. Tell your doctor how you manage your symptoms.
Other Medicines
While antidepressants and benzodiazepines are the most common treatment for anxiety, other drugs can help ease your symptoms too. Antihistamines and beta blockers are often prescribed to ease anxiety.
These drugs can help you alleviate your symptoms by reducing or blocking signals that cause anxiety and stress. However, they'ren't an all-in-one solution. You will still have to take steps to control anxiety, including exercises relaxation techniques, relaxation techniques and psychotherapy.
Your doctor might first prescribe one of the "first choices" anxiety medications, which include SSRIs and SNRIs. According to studies, these medications are the most effective for treating anxiety disorders. SSRIs are usually found in sertraline (Zoloft) and Citropram, fluoxetine, and escitalopram. These drugs may cause minor side effects, like nausea or insomnia, but they usually subside within 4-8 weeks. They aren't addictive and they do not increase the likelihood of suicidal thoughts.
The benzodiazepines such as alprazolam diazepoxide, and clonazepam (Valium) offer immediate relief from panic and anxiety attacks. However, they can cause adverse effects, including drowsiness and dizziness. They can also trigger memory and coordination issues, and may even cause dependence. These are less popular than older barbiturates but are equally effective.
Antihistamines, such as Vistaril (hydroxyzine) were originally created to treat allergies. However they can also be used to ease anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine has a calming effect by blocking the histamine receptors. It's not a controlled drug which means it doesn't carry the same dangers of addiction like benzodiazepines.
Another kind of medication that can aid with anxiety is a class of medications known as anticonvulsants. They've been shown to relieve anxiety by interfering with the production and release of dopamine and serotonin. They might be prescribed in combination with other drugs or as a temporary treatment for anxiety. Your doctor will examine your health history and symptoms to determine if these drugs are suitable for you. They'll also talk about how long you should be taking them and any possible adverse effects. Anxiety medications are only available by prescription, so a psychiatrist will be required to prescribe it.