Meds That Treat Anxiety
Anxiety affects 40 million adults in the United States. It's highly treatable, with numerous 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. They aren't addictive, unlike benzodiazepines.
SSRIs
The most common anxiety medications are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) which include citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro) and fluoxetine (Prozac). These drugs also help with depression, and can ease the symptoms of anxiety disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). They can take up to a month before they begin working.
These drugs help by increasing the levels of certain chemical transmitters that are present in the brain. This includes serotonin and norepinephrine as well as dopamine. They are usually the first option for anxiety, though doctors also employ other kinds of antidepressants and benzodiazepines.
Antidepressants like duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine, (Effexor) are also used for anxiety. They function a bit differently than SSRIs in that they reduce the reabsorption rate of norepinephrine and serotonin, but at lower levels than SSRIs. These medications take a long time to work and are more expensive than SSRIs.
Tricyclic antidepressants, such as imipramine Tofranil can be effective in treating anxiety disorders. However their drowsiness and other adverse reactions are what make them less popular. Monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs) are a different kind of antidepressant used to treat anxiety. Their high toxicity risk and the restriction on dietary intake limit their use.
Benzodiazepines can be used treat panic attacks and anxiety in the short-term while waiting for SSRIs and SNRIs. These drugs can trigger tolerance, sedation and addiction, and withdrawal reactions that can cause rebound anxiety, depression and even delirium. Common benzodiazepines include alprazolam (Xanax) as well as Clonazepam (Klonopin) and lorazepam (Ativan).
Therapy is a vital part of any treatment plan for anxiety. It aids you in better understand your symptoms and their reasons. Many people find that both therapy and medication can help them cope with anxiety. Some studies have shown that cognitive behavioral therapy can be just as effective as medications for anxiety. Talk to your doctor about your options and determine what could be the best choice for you.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines have a calming effect, decrease anxiety and relax muscles. They also ease symptoms of bodily stimulation related to fear (like heart rate, trembling or trembling), and promote sleep.
The way they work is through binding to inhibitory neurotransmitters like gamma-aminobutryic acid, or GABA which is a receptor in the central nervous system. They boost the effects of GABA by facilitating the inhibitory effect of GABA on other neurotransmitters, and reducing the number of messages sent to the amygdala. This is a part of the brain that evaluates threats and creates a sense of anxiety.
These medications can be utilized for short periods of time for instance, when a panic attack occurs or if you're experiencing extreme anxiety. They can help relieve symptoms in 30 to 60 minutes. Contrary to SSRIs which are a long-lasting medication, benzodiazepines do not stay in the body for long. They're quick-acting and typically take effect in just a couple of hours, making them suitable for situations in which quick relief is needed (like during a flight or prior to giving an event in public).
They are addictive, which is why people are generally only prescribed them for up to 4 weeks at one time. They also lose their effectiveness after a certain period of time.
One of the main reasons why benzodiazepines are so well-known is that they are effective and have fewer adverse effects when compared to their predecessors such as barbiturates and meprobamate. They have a rapid time to begin their action and are extremely effective as anxiolytics (anti-anxiety) as well as sedatives and anticonvulsants, as well as for muscle relaxants.
Benzos are often blamed for the negative perceptions of anxiety that developed in the 1970s and 1980s. This included the trivialization of the disorder and the belief that benzodiazepine treatment leads to physical dependence. However they play a significant role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, especially in conjunction with psychosocial interventions like cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy.
Benzos can interact with other medications and cause unwanted side effects, such as drowsiness and disorientation. You should tell your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription or herbal medications that you currently use or plan to take. You can find out which medications are safe to use with benzodiazepines by checking the British National Formulary A-Z list of drug interactions.
Antidepressants
Antidepressants are 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 many antidepressants to treat other conditions as well, including eating disorders, certain types of pain, and bipolar disorder.
Most doctors prescribe SSRIs as a first-line treatment for anxiety, but these drugs may not be appropriate for everyone. If they don't work, doctors may look at the more traditional antidepressant known as a tricyclic or tetracyclic antidepressant. These include amitriptyline, nortriptyline, clomipramine and dothiepin, doxepin, trimipramine or imipramine. These antidepressants are less common but are still accessible. You can also ask your physician to prescribe the sedating antidepressant trazodone(Desyrel), at lower doses in case you are experiencing anxiety or sleep problems.
Other antidepressants that can aid are Nefazodone (Ferdinand) and duloxetine (Cymbalta). These drugs are also available in generic forms. If they don't help, your doctor may try the antipsychotics quetiapine and olanzapine or the tranquilizing antidepressant Mirtazapine.
Medications for other anxiety disorders include beta blockers that reduce the blood pressure and heart rate by blocking the actions of adrenaline. These medications are not typically used to treat anxiety by themselves however they can be effective if coupled with psychotherapy.
Psychotherapy can help you to alter negative thoughts and behaviors that can cause anxiety. It can help you to control your anxiety, and build coping skills. Depending on your health condition, you could receive cognitive behavioural therapy or exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy teaches you to overcome unhelpful and fearful thoughts, and to overcome your aversion to situations that trigger anxiety. Exposure therapy is the process of increasing the level of anxiety-inducing situations until they can be managed. This can be done individually or in small groups. In both instances, the results can take a while to show. A combination of medication and psychotherapy therapy is the best choice for certain people. However, others find that medication alone is enough to manage their symptoms. Inform your doctor about how you manage your symptoms.
Other Medical Treatments
Although benzodiazepines and antidepressants are the most frequently prescribed medications to treat anxiety, other drugs can ease your symptoms too. Beta blockers, antihistamines and buspirone are often prescribed to alleviate anxiety.
These medications correct an imbalance in the brain's chemicals and can alleviate your symptoms by reducing or blocking signals that can cause stress and fear. However, they're not a cure all. You'll have to take steps to reduce anxiety, such as exercises, relaxation techniques and psychological therapy.
Your doctor might first prescribe one of the "first choices" anxiety medication, which includes SSRIs and SNRIs. According to research, these medications are the most effective for treating anxiety disorders. The most commonly used SSRIs include sertraline (Zoloft) and the fluoxetine (Prozac) and Citropram (Celexa), and escitalopram (Lexapro). These drugs can cause mild side effects such as insomnia and nausea, but they usually disappear within 4-8 weeks. They aren't addictive, and they do not increase the likelihood of suicidal thoughts.
herbal treatment for anxiety iampsychiatry.com , alprazolam, clonazepam, and diazepoxide, (Valium), provide immediate relief from panic and anxiety attacks. However, they could cause side effects such as drowsiness and dizziness. They may also cause problems with coordination and memory and even dependence. They're a less popular choice than the older barbiturates, however, they're equally effective.
Antihistamines, such as Vistaril (hydroxyzine) were originally designed to help with allergies. However they can also be used to alleviate anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine may have a relaxing effect because it blocks histamine receptors. It's not a controlled substance and therefore doesn't carry the same dangers of addiction like benzodiazepines.
Anticonvulsants are another type of medication which can aid in reducing anxiety. They have been proven to reduce anxiety through blocking the production and release of dopamine as well as sérotonin. They can 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 appropriate for you. They'll also discuss the length of time you should take them and any potential negative side effects. Anxiety medication is only available through prescription, and you'll need a psychiatrist to prescribe it.