Meds That Treat Anxiety
Anxiety is among the most frequent mental health conditions that affects 40 million adults in the United States. It's highly treatable, with various types of medication 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 aren't addictive, unlike benzodiazepines.
SSRIs
The most common anxiety medication is selective serotonin inhibits (SSRIs), including citalopram, escitalopram, and fluoxetine. These drugs also help with depression, and can ease the symptoms of other anxiety disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It can take up to one month for them to start working.
These medications work by increasing the amount of certain chemical transmitters within the brain. This includes serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. They're typically the first treatment option for anxiety, but doctors may also prescribe other kinds of antidepressants and benzodiazepines.
Antidepressants, such as duloxetine (Cymbalta), and venlafaxine, (Effexor) are also used for anxiety. They differ from SSRIs as they reduce norepinephrine, however at a lower level than SSRIs. These medicines take a long time to work and are more expensive than SSRIs.
Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) such as imipramine (Tofranil) are effective in treating some anxiety disorders, notably GAD. Their drowsiness, along with other adverse effects make them less popular. Another type of antidepressant, monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs) can be used to combat anxiety. They are a high risk of toxicity and dietary restrictions restrict their use.
Benzodiazepines are used to treat panic attacks and anxiety in the short-term while waiting for SSRIs and SNRIs. These medications can cause tolerance and addiction, sedation and apathy and withdrawal reactions that can cause rebound anxiety, depression and even delirium. The most common benzodiazepines are alprazolam (Xanax) and clonazepam (Klonopin) and lorazepam (Ativan).
Therapy is an essential component of the treatment for anxiety because it allows you to learn more about your symptoms and their reasons. Many people find that medication and therapy both aid in coping. In fact, some studies suggest that cognitive behavior therapy is as effective as anxiety medications. Speak to your doctor to determine what is the best option for you.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines can have a calming effect they reduce anxiety and relax tense muscle. They also ease symptoms of bodily stimulation related to fear (like heart rate, trembling or shaking), and promote sleep.
They work by binding inhibitory neurons, like GABA or gamma aminobutryic acid at receptors in the central nervous system. They enhance the effects of GABA by facilitating its inhibitory effect on other neurotransmitters, and reducing the number of messages that are transmitted to the amygdala, an area of the brain that detects threats and creates the feeling of fear.
These medications are typically used for short periods, such as during a panic attack or severe anxiety episodes. anxiety treatment herbal may ease symptoms within 30 to 90 minutes of taking them. Unlike SSRIs which are a long-lasting medication, benzodiazepines do not stay in the body for a long time. They're quick-acting and typically work in a matter of hours, making them ideal for situations where you require quick relief (like during an airplane flight or before an event in public).
They can be addictive, so people are generally only prescribed them for a maximum of 4 weeks at a time. They also lose their effectiveness after that time.
One of the reasons why benzodiazepines are so well-known is that they are safe and have minimal negative effects compared to predecessors such as barbiturates and meprobamate. They are effective and have a rapid start, and can be employed as anxiolytics to decrease anxiety. They can also be used as sedatives, anticonvulsants and muscle relaxants.
Benzos were blamed for negative attitudes towards anxiety that were developed during the 1970s and 80s and included the denial of the disorder and the perception that benzodiazepine therapies can lead to physical dependence. Yet however, benzodiazepines still play a major role in the treatment for anxiety disorders, especially when they are combined with psychosocial interventions like cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapies.
Benzos may interact with other medications and cause undesirable side effects such as drowsiness and confusion. It is important to inform your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription, or herbal medicines you currently take or are planning to take. Take a look at 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 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 antidepressants for other health issues, such as bipolar disorder, eating disorders, and certain types of pain.
SSRIs are typically prescribed as a first-line treatment of anxiety by doctors, but they may not work for all people. If they fail doctors might try the older type of antidepressant known as tricyclic or tetracyclic an antidepressant. These include amitriptyline and nortriptyline as well as clomipramine. They're less common than newer antidepressants, but still readily available. You can also ask your doctor to prescribe the sedating antidepressant trazodone(Desyrel) at lower doses if you are having sleep problems or anxiety.
Other antidepressants that may help are the nefazodone (Ferdinand) and duloxetine (Cymbalta). They're also available in generic forms. If they don't work, your doctor might suggest a antidepressant that is sedating, mirtazapine (Remeron) or the antipsychotics quetiapine or olanzapine.
Other medications for anxiety disorders include beta blockers, which reduce the heart rate and blood pressure by blocking the action of adrenaline. These drugs are not usually used to treat anxiety by themselves however they can be effective when combined with psychotherapy.
Psychological therapy can help you to change negative thoughts and behavior patterns that contribute to your anxiety. It can help you to manage your anxiety and build coping skills. Depending on your health condition, you could undergo cognitive behavioural therapy or exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy teaches you to confront fears and thoughts that are harmful, and to overcome your aversion to situations that cause anxiety. The process involves increasing the anxiety-inducing situations until they are manageable. It can be done either in a group, or by yourself. In both cases, results will take time to manifest. A combination of medication and psychological therapy is the best choice for some individuals. Some people find that medication alone is enough to control symptoms. It's crucial to tell your doctor what you're doing to manage your symptoms.
Other Medicines
Other medications can also help relieve your symptoms. Antihistamines and beta blockers are often prescribed to alleviate anxiety.
These drugs can correct an imbalance in your brain's chemical balance and can alleviate symptoms by reducing or blocking signals that can cause stress and fear. They're not a panacea. You'll still need to do other things to reduce your anxiety, including exercises, relaxation techniques, and psychotherapy.
Your doctor might first prescribe one of the "first choices" anxiety medications, which include SSRIs and SNRIs. These are the most effective drugs for treating anxiety disorders, according to research studies. The most common SSRIs include sertraline (Zoloft), the fluoxetine (Prozac) and citalopram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro). These drugs can cause mild side effects like insomnia and nausea, but these usually subside in 4-8 weeks. They aren't addictive and they do not increase the likelihood of suicidal thoughts.
The benzodiazepines, alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin) and diazepoxide (Valium) offer immediate relief for panic attacks and anxiety, but they can have adverse effects, such as dizziness, drowsiness and coordination problems, and dependence. They're less well-known than the older 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 block histamine receptors within the brain, and can trigger a calming effect. It is not a controlled drug, so it doesn't have the same addiction risks as benzodiazepines.
Another kind of medication that can aid with anxiety is a group of medications called anticonvulsants. They have been proven to reduce anxiety by affecting the production and release of dopamine and serotonin. These medications may be prescribed as a part of a combination therapy or to treat anxiety in the short-term. Your doctor will evaluate your symptoms and health history to determine if these drugs are suitable for you. They'll also discuss the length of time you should take them and any possible adverse effects. Anxiety medication is only available with a prescription, so you'll need to visit a psychiatrist to get these medications.