Meds That Treat Anxiety
Anxiety 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're not addictive, as are benzodiazepines.
SSRIs
The most commonly used anxiety medication is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) which include citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro) and fluoxetine (Prozac). These drugs also treat depression and can help relieve the symptoms of other anxiety disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). They can take up to a month for them to begin working.
These drugs increase the amount of certain chemical messengers in the brain, including serotonin and norepinephrine. These drugs are usually the first option to treat anxiety, but doctors can prescribe other forms of antidepressants or benzodiazepines.
Another class of antidepressants, called serotonin and norepinephrine receptor inhibitors (SNRIs) such as duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor), are also used to treat anxiety. They work a little differently than SSRIs in that they reduce the reabsorption of norepinephrine as well as serotonin, though at lower levels than SSRIs. These medications may take a few days to begin taking effects, and also tend to be more expensive than SSRIs.
Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) such as imipramine (Tofranil), can be effective in treating some anxiety disorders, including GAD. However, their drowsiness and other side effects are what make them less popular. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are another type of antidepressant used to combat anxiety. Their high toxicity risk and the restriction on dietary intake restrict their use.
Benzodiazepines are frequently used to treat panic attacks and anxiety in the short term like when you wait for SSRIs or SNRIs to take effect. These drugs can lead to dependence, tolerance, and sedation as well as withdrawal symptoms like a rebound anxiety, depression, and delirium. The most common benzodiazepines are alprazolam (Xanax), Clonazepam (Klonopin) and lorazepam (Ativan).
Therapy is an essential part of any anxiety treatment plan. It assists you to better be aware of your symptoms and root causes. Many people find that both therapy and medication can help them cope with anxiety. In fact, some studies suggest that cognitive behavior therapy works just as well as medications for anxiety. Consult your physician to find out what's right for you.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines have a calming effect, decrease anxiety and relax muscles that are tense. They also alleviate symptoms of bodily arousal due to fear (like heart rate and trembling) and promote sleep.
The way they work is by binding to inhibitory neurotransmitters, such as gamma-aminobutryic acid or GABA, at receptors in the central nervous system. They increase the effects of GABA by activating 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 sensation of fear.
treat generalized anxiety disorder are typically taken for short durations like panic attacks or an anxiety attack. They may help relieve symptoms within 30 to 90 minutes after taking them. Benzodiazepines are, in contrast to SSRIs don't stay in the body long. They're fast-acting and usually take effect in just a couple of hours, which makes them ideal for situations where quick relief is needed (like during a flight or prior to giving an address in public).
Since they can be addictive, people are typically prescribed for a period of up to four weeks at a go. They also lose their effectiveness after a certain period of time.
One of the reasons why benzodiazepines are so popular is that they are efficient and have few negative effects compared to predecessors, such as barbiturates or meprobamate. They are efficient and have a rapid onset, and can be employed as anxiolytics to decrease 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, including the stigmatization of anxiety and the belief that benzodiazepine treatment causes physical dependence. However, benzodiazepines continue to play a major part in the treatment of anxiety disorders, especially when combined with psychosocial interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or interpersonal therapies.
Benzos can interact with other medications and trigger undesirable side effects like drowsiness or confusion. You should tell your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription or herbal medication you currently use or plan to take. Take a look at the British National Formulary A to Z list of interactions with medications to determine which medications are safe when taken with benzodiazepines.
Antidepressants
Antidepressants can ease anxiety and other mental health problems. 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 often prescribed as a first-line treatment for anxiety by doctors, but they might not be effective for everyone. If they don't work doctors might try the older type of antidepressant known as tricyclic or tetracyclic antidepressants. This includes amitriptyline, nortriptyline, clomipramine and dothiepin, doxepin, trimipramine or imipramine. They're less common than newer antidepressants but are still available. You can also ask your doctor to prescribe the sedating antidepressant, trazodone(Desyrel) in lower doses in case you are experiencing sleep issues or anxiety.
Other antidepressants that may aid are Nefazodone (Ferdinand) and duloxetine (Cymbalta). They're also available in generic forms. If they aren't helping, your doctor may try the antipsychotics quetiapine and Olanzapine or the sedative antidepressant Mirtazapine.
Medications for other anxiety disorders include beta blockers that reduce the blood pressure and heart rate by blocking the action of adrenaline. These medications aren't typically used for anxiety alone however they can be helpful when combined with psychotherapy.
Psychological therapy can help you change negative thoughts and behavior patterns that contribute to your anxiety. It can help you learn to control your anxiety, and develop coping strategies. Depending on the severity of your condition exposure therapy or cognitive behavior therapy might be recommended. Cognitive behavioural therapy helps you develop the ability to confront negative, fearful thoughts and overcome the fear of situations that trigger anxiety. Exposure therapy is the process of increasing the intensity of anxiety provoking situations until they can be managed. It can be done in a group or individually. In both instances, the results take time to appear. Some people find that the combination of psychotherapy and medication is the best choice. Others find that meds alone are enough to manage their symptoms. It's important to tell your doctor about the things you're doing to manage your symptoms.
Other Medicines
Although benzodiazepines and antidepressants are the most frequently prescribed treatments for anxiety, other medications can help alleviate your symptoms as well. Beta blockers, antihistamines, and buspirone are all sometimes prescribed to alleviate anxiety.
These medications can help ease your symptoms, by reducing or blocking the signals that trigger anxiety and stress. However, they're not an all-in-one solution. You'll still need to do other things to reduce your anxiety, like physical exercise, relaxation techniques, and psychological therapy.
The SSRIs or SNRIs are often the first choice of anxiety medication that your doctor might prescribe. They are the most effective drugs for treating anxiety disorders according to research studies. The most commonly used SSRIs include sertraline (Zoloft), the fluoxetine (Prozac), citalopram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro). These drugs can cause minor side effects, such as insomnia and nausea, however they usually disappear within 4-8 weeks. Contrary to benzodiazepines they're not addictive and won't increase the risk of suicidal thoughts.
The benzodiazepines, alprazolam, diazepoxide, and clonazepam (Valium) offer immediate relief from anxiety and panic attacks. However, they may cause adverse effects, including drowsiness and dizziness. They can also trigger problems with coordination and memory and even dependence. These are less popular than older barbiturates but are equally effective.
Antihistamines like Vistaril (hydroxyzine) were initially created to treat allergies. However they also serve to alleviate anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine blocks the histamine receptors in the brain and can cause a calming effect. It is not a controlled drug and does not have the same risk of addiction as benzodiazepines.
Anticonvulsants are a different kind of medication that can be used to treat anxiety. They have been found to reduce anxiety by interfering in 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 assess your symptoms and health history to determine whether these medications are appropriate for you. They'll also discuss the length of time you should take them and any possible side effects. Anxiety medications are only available through prescription, so it is necessary to see a psychiatrist to prescribe it.