Meds That Treat Anxiety
Anxiety affects 40 million people in the United States. It's extremely 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're not addictive, as are benzodiazepines.
SSRIs
The most common anxiety medication is selective serotonin reuptake inhibits (SSRIs) which include citalopram, escitalopram, and fluoxetine. These medications can also treat depression and can alleviate the symptoms of other anxiety disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It can take up to one month for them to start working.
They work by increasing the amount of certain chemical transmitters in the brain. This includes serotonin and norepinephrine as well as dopamine. These medications are typically the first choice for treating anxiety, although doctors may also prescribe other kinds of antidepressants, also known as benzodiazepines.
Another class of antidepressants, known as serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) such as duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor), are also used to treat anxiety . They differ from SSRIs because they decrease norepinephrine but at a lower rate than SSRIs. These medicines take a long time to take effect and are more expensive than SSRIs.
Tricyclic antidepressants, such as imipramine Tofranil can be effective for treating anxiety disorders. However, their drowsiness and other side effects make them less popular. Another form of antidepressant is monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) can be used to combat anxiety. Their high toxicity risk and the restriction on dietary intake limit their use.
Benzodiazepines are often used to combat anxiety and panic attacks in the short term like when you wait for SSRIs or SNRIs to begin working. These medications can cause tolerance addiction, sedation, and withdrawal reactions that may cause depression, anxiety, and even delusions. Benzodiazepines are commonly found in alprazolam, clonazepam, as well as lorazepam.
Therapy is an important part of an anxiety treatment plan as it can help you discover more about the symptoms and the causes. Many people find that both therapy and medication help them manage their anxiety. Certain studies have proven that cognitive behavioral therapy can be just as effective as medication for anxiety. Talk with your doctor about your options and what could be the best choice for you.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines produce an calming effect, reduce anxiety and relax muscles. They also ease symptoms of fear-related bodily stimulation (like heart rate or trembling), and promote sleep.
The way they work is by binding to inhibitory neurotransmitters like gamma-aminobutryic acids or GABA, at receptors in the central nervous system. They enhance the effects of GABA by activating its inhibitory effect on other neurotransmitters and decreasing the amount of messages that are sent to the amygdala, an area of the brain which detects threats and gives the feeling of fear.
These medications can be utilized for short durations, such as when a panic attack occurs or if you are experiencing severe anxiety. They may ease the symptoms within 30 to 90 minutes after taking them. Contrary to SSRIs, benzodiazepines don't remain in the body for a long time. They're quick-acting and typically work in a matter of hours, making them suitable for situations where quick relief is needed (like on a plane flight or before an event in public).
As they are addictive, patients are usually prescribed up to four weeks at a go. They also lose effectiveness after a period of time.
One of the main reasons the benzodiazepines became so well-known is that they worked and had minimal side effects, when compared to their predecessors, like meprobamate or barbiturates. They are fast in the onset of action and are very useful as anxiolytics (anti-anxiety), sedatives and anticonvulsants as well as as muscle relaxants.
Benzos were blamed for the negative attitudes towards anxiety that were developed during the 1970s and 80s, including the minimization of the disorder and the perception that benzodiazepine treatments lead to physical dependence. However, they continue to play an important role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, specifically when used in conjunction with psychosocial interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy.
Benzos can interact with other drugs and cause undesirable side-effects like drowsiness or confusion. It is recommended to inform your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription or herbal medicines you currently take or plan to take. You can find out which medications are safe to take with benzodiazepines by looking up 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, such as eating disorders, bipolar disorder, and certain types of pain.
Most doctors recommend SSRIs as the first line treatment for anxiety, however these medications might not be appropriate for everyone. If they fail doctors can look at the more traditional antidepressant known as a tricyclic or tetracyclic antidepressant. These include amitriptyline, nortriptyline, clomipramine, trimipramine, doxepin and dothiepin or imipramine. They're not as popular as the latest antidepressants, but still readily available. Your doctor can prescribe the antidepressant that sedates, trazodone (Desyrel) in lower doses for sleep or anxiety.
Nefazodone, also known as 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 sedating antidepressant mirtazapine (Remeron) or the antipsychotics quetiapine or olanzapine.
Medications for other anxiety disorders include beta blockers, which decrease the heart rate and blood pressure by blocking the action of adrenaline. These drugs aren't commonly used to treat anxiety by themselves, but can be helpful when paired with psychological therapy.
Psychotherapy can help you to change negative thoughts and behavior that cause anxiety. It can teach you to control your anxiety and learn strategies for coping. Depending on your condition, you might receive cognitive behavioural therapy or exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy teaches you to overcome fears and thoughts that are harmful, and overcome your fear of situations that cause anxiety. Exposure therapy involves gradually increasing the level of anxiety-provoking situations until you can cope with the stressors. It can be performed in a group or on your own. In both instances, it takes time to achieve results. A combination of medication and psychotherapy therapy is the best option for some individuals. Some people find that taking medication alone is enough to manage symptoms. It is important to inform your doctor about the things you're doing to control your symptoms.
Other Medical Treatments
Other drugs can also aid in relieving your symptoms. Antihistamines and beta blockers are often prescribed to ease anxiety.
These drugs can help you alleviate your symptoms by reducing or blocking signals that trigger anxiety and stress. They are not a panacea. You'll still need to do things to manage anxiety, such as exercises, relaxation techniques and psychological therapy.
The SSRIs or SNRIs are often the first choice of anxiety medication that your doctor may prescribe. According to studies, these medications are the most effective for treating anxiety disorders. The most commonly used SSRIs include sertraline (Zoloft) as well as the fluoxetine (Prozac), Citropram (Celexa), and escitalopram (Lexapro). These medications can cause minor side effects, such as insomnia and nausea, however 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) as well as Clonazepam (Klonopin), and diazepoxide (Valium) offer immediate relief from panic attacks and anxiety However, they can cause negative effects such as dizziness, drowsiness and coordination issues, as well as dependence. These are less popular than older barbiturates, however they are equally effective.
Antihistamines, such as Vistaril (hydroxyzine), were created to treat allergies however, they're also used to ease anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine blocks the histamine receptors in the brain and may cause an energizing effect. It's not a controlled drug which means it doesn't carry the same risks of addiction as benzodiazepines.
Anticonvulsants are an additional type of medication which can aid in reducing anxiety. They have been found to reduce anxiety through blocking the production and release of dopamine and sérotonin. They may be prescribed in conjunction with other drugs or as a temporary treatment for anxiety. Your doctor will evaluate your symptoms and health history to determine whether these medications are right for you. They will also discuss the length of time you'll need to take these medications as well as any possible adverse effects that could occur. Anxiety medications can only be purchased with a prescription, so you'll need to see a psychiatrist before you can get these medications.