What Experts Say You Should Know

Meds That Treat Anxiety

anxiety non medication treatments affects more than 40 million adults in the United States. There are a variety of medications 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 aren't addictive, unlike benzodiazepines.

SSRIs

The most common anxiety treatment effectiveness medication is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) which include citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro) and fluoxetine (Prozac). These drugs also help with depression, and can ease symptoms associated with other anxiety disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It can take up to one month for them to start working.

These drugs increase the levels of certain chemical messengers in the brain, such as serotonin and norepinephrine. They're usually the first treatment option for anxiety, though doctors also use other types of antidepressants and benzodiazepines.

Antidepressants like duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor) are also used to treat generalized anxiety disorder anxiety. They differ from SSRIs because they decrease norepinephrine, but at a lower degree than SSRIs. These medications take a long time to work and are more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants like imipramine Tofranil, can be effective in treating anxiety disorders. However their drowsiness and other side effects make them less popular. Another type of antidepressant, monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs) are also able to be used to combat anxiety. Their high risk of toxicity and the restriction on dietary intake make them unsuitable for use.

Benzodiazepines are often used to treat anxiety and panic attacks in the short-term, such as when waiting for SSRIs or SNRIs to take effect. These drugs can trigger tolerance, sedation and addiction, and withdrawal reactions that may cause anxiety, depression and even delirium. The most common benzodiazepines are alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin) and lorazepam (Ativan).

Therapy is an important part of the treatment for anxiety because it allows you to understand your symptoms and their causes. Many people find that medication and therapy help them to cope. Some studies suggest that cognitive therapy is as effective as anxiety medications. Talk to your doctor to determine what is the best option for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines can have a calming effect they reduce anxiety and relax muscles that are tense. They also relieve symptoms of fear-related bodily stimulation (like heart racing or shaking), and promote sleep.

The way they work is by binding to inhibitory neurotransmitters like gamma-aminobutryic acid, or GABA which is a receptor 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, which is the brain's region which detects threats and gives the sensation of fear.

These medications are sometimes taken for short durations, such as during an attack of panic or a severe anxiety episodes. They can help relieve symptoms in 30 to 60 minutes. In contrast to SSRIs which are a long-lasting medication, benzodiazepines do not stay in the body for very long. They're quick-acting and typically perform in just a few hours, which makes them ideal for situations when you require quick relief (like during a flight or before giving an address in public).

Because they can be addictive, people are usually prescribed for a period of up to four weeks at a time. They also lose effectiveness after a certain period of time.

One of the main reasons the benzodiazepines became so well-known is they were efficient and had a few adverse effects, when compared to their predecessors, like meprobamate and barbiturates. They are fast in the onset of action and are very effective as anxiolytics (anti-anxiety), sedatives and anticonvulsants and as muscle relaxants.

Benzos were blamed for the negative attitudes towards anxiety that were developed in the 1970s and 80s which included the reduction of the disorder, and the belief that benzodiazepine treatment can lead to physical dependence. Despite this they still play an important role in the home treatment for anxiety attack of anxiety disorders, specifically when used in combination with psychosocial interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy.

Benzos can interact with other medications and cause undesirable side-effects such as drowsiness, confusion or drowsiness. It is important to inform your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription, or herbal medication you are currently taking or are planning to take. You can determine which medications are safe to use with benzodiazepines through the British National Formulary A-Z list for medication interactions.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants can 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 many antidepressants for other health ailments, too, such as eating disorders, certain kinds of pain, and bipolar disorder.

SSRIs are typically prescribed as a first-line treatment of anxiety by doctors, but they may not work for all people. If they don't work, doctors may consider a different type of antidepressant, known as tricyclic or tetracyclic an antidepressant. They include amitriptyline, nortriptyline, as well as Clomipramine. They're not as popular as the latest antidepressants, yet they're still available. You can also ask your physician to prescribe the sedating antidepressant, trazodone(Desyrel), at lower doses if you're experiencing sleep issues or anxiety.

Other antidepressants that may help include nefazodone (Ferdinand) and duloxetine (Cymbalta). These drugs are also available in generic forms. If they don't work, your doctor may suggest the tranquilizing antidepressant mirtazapine (Remeron) or the antipsychotics quetiapine or olanzapine.

Other medications for anxiety disorders include beta blockers, which reduce the blood pressure and heart rate by preventing the action of adrenaline. These medications aren't typically used for anxiety alone, but can be helpful when used in conjunction with psychotherapy.

Psychotherapy can help you change negative thoughts and behavior that cause anxiety. It can help you learn to manage your anxiety and build coping skills. Based on the severity of your situation, you may be treated with cognitive behavioural therapy or exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioural therapy assists you to learn to challenge unhelpful, fearful thoughts and overcome avoidance of situations that trigger anxiety. Exposure therapy is the process of increasing the intensity of anxiety-inducing situations until they are manageable. It can be done in a group or individually. In both cases, results will take time to manifest. A combination of medication and psychotherapy therapy is the best choice for some individuals. Some people find that meds alone are sufficient to control their symptoms. It's important to tell your doctor about the things you're doing to manage your symptoms.

Other Medical Treatments

While antidepressants and benzodiazepines are the most common treatments for anxiety, other drugs can help ease your symptoms as well. Beta blockers, antihistamines, and buspirone are all prescribed to ease anxiety.

These drugs correct an imbalance in the brain's chemicals and can help ease your symptoms by lowering or blocking signals that trigger anxiety and stress. They are not a panacea. You will still need to do things to reduce anxiety, like physical exercise as well as relaxation techniques, and psychological therapy.

Your doctor could first line Treatment for anxiety prescribe one of the "first first" anxiety medications, which are SSRIs and SNRIs. According to research, these medications are the most effective in treating anxiety disorders. Common SSRIs include sertraline (Zoloft), fluoxetine (Prozac) and Citropram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro). These medications might have mild adverse effects, like insomnia or nausea, but they typically disappear within 4-8 weeks. In contrast to benzodiazepines, these are not addictive and don't increase your risk of having suicidal thoughts.

The benzodiazepines, alprazolam, diazepoxide, and clonazepam (Valium) offer immediate relief from panic and anxiety attacks. However, they could cause side effects, such as dizziness and drowsiness. They may also cause problems with coordination and memory, and may even cause dependence. These medications are less well-known than older barbiturates but are equally effective.

Antihistamines, such as Vistaril (hydroxyzine) were originally created to treat allergies. However they also serve to ease anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine blocks the histamine receptors in the brain and may cause an energizing effect. It is not a controlled drug and therefore does not have the same risk of addiction as benzodiazepines.

Anticonvulsants are another type of medication which can help with anxiety. They have been found to reduce anxiety by interfering in the production and release of dopamine and sérotonin. These medications may be used as part of a combination therapy or used to treat anxiety in the short-term. Your doctor will examine 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 medicines and any potential side effects that may occur. Anxiety medication is only available on prescription, which means that a psychiatrist will be required to prescribe it.