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This Is The History Of Treat Anxiety In 10 Milestones
Meds That Treat Anxiety

Anxiety is among the most common mental health problems, affecting 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 medications are selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro) and fluoxetine (Prozac). These drugs are also used to treat depression and alleviate symptoms of anxiety disorders, such as obsessive compulsive disorder. It can take up to one month for them to begin working.

They work by increasing the amount of certain chemical messengers within the brain, such as serotonin and norepinephrine. They are usually the first option for anxiety, though doctors may also prescribe other kinds of antidepressants and benzodiazepines.

Another class of antidepressants, called serotonin and norepinephrine receptor inhibitors (SNRIs) like duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor) are used to treat anxiety. They work a little differently from SSRIs because they reduce the reabsorption of norepinephrine as well as serotonin, though at lower levels than SSRIs. These medicines take a long time to be effective and are more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) like imipramine (Tofranil) are effective in treating some anxiety disorders, including GAD. However their drowsiness and other adverse reactions are what make them less popular. Another form of antidepressant is monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), can also be used to treat anxiety. They are a high risk of toxicity and dietary restrictions make them unsuitable for use.

Benzodiazepines are commonly used to treat anxiety and panic attacks in the short term, such as when waiting for SSRIs or SNRIs to begin working. These medications can cause tolerance addiction, sedation, and withdrawal reactions that may cause anxiety, depression and even delusions. Benzodiazepines are typically found in alprazolam, clonazepam, as well as lorazepam.

Therapy is a crucial component of an anxiety treatment plan because it allows you to learn more about your symptoms and their root causes. Many people discover that medication and therapy both help them cope. Certain studies have demonstrated that cognitive behavioral therapy is just as effective as anxiety medications. Talk with your doctor about your options and determine what could be the best choice for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines create an calming effect, which can reduce anxiety and relax muscles that are tense. They also ease symptoms of bodily stress related to fear (like heart rate or shaking) and help promote sleep.

The way they work is through binding to inhibitory neurotransmitters such as gamma-aminobutryic acid or GABA, at receptors in the central nervous system. They enhance GABA's effects by facilitating the inhibitory effects of GABA on other neurotransmitters, and reducing the number of messages sent to amygdala. This is a region of the brain which assesses the threat and triggers a feeling of anxiety.


These medications can be used for short durations for instance, when a panic attack occurs or if you're experiencing severe anxiety. They can relieve symptoms within 30 to 60 minutes. Benzodiazepines, unlike SSRIs don't stay in the body for long. They are fast acting and can be effective within a couple of hours. This makes them perfect for situations in which immediate relief is needed (such as on an airplane or before a presentation in public).

Because they are addictive, patients are typically prescribed for up to four weeks at a go. They also lose their effectiveness after that time.

One of the main reasons why benzodiazepines are so popular is that they are safe and have minimal side effects compared to their predecessors such as barbiturates and meprobamate. They are fast in the start of action and are very effective as anxiolytics (anti-anxiety), sedatives, anticonvulsants as well as as muscle relaxants.

Benzos are often blamed for the negative attitudes toward anxiety that developed in the 1970s and 1980s, including the stigmatization of anxiety and the perception that benzodiazepine treatment causes physical dependence. However they play a crucial role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, particularly when used in conjunction with psychosocial interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy.

Benzos may interact with other medications, causing undesirable side effects, such as drowsiness and confusion. You should tell your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription, or herbal medications that you currently use or plan to take. You can determine which medications are safe to use with benzodiazepines by checking the British National Formulary A-Z list of medication interactions.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants can be 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.

SSRIs are usually prescribed as a first-line treatment for anxiety by doctors, however they may not work for everyone. If they aren't working, doctors may consider a different type of antidepressant, known as tricyclic or tetracyclic antidepressants. These include amitriptyline and nortriptyline, as well as clomipramine. They're less popular than the newer antidepressants, but still accessible. Your doctor may prescribe the sedating antidepressant trazodone (Desyrel) at lower doses for sleep or anxiety.

Other antidepressants that may help include Nefazodone (Ferdinand) and duloxetine (Cymbalta). They are also available in generic forms. If they aren't working, your physician can try the sedating antidepressant mirtazapine (Remeron) or the antipsychotics quetiapine and olanzapine.

Treatments for other anxiety disorders include beta blockers, which decrease the blood pressure and heart rate by blocking the action of adrenaline. These drugs aren't commonly used to treat anxiety on their own however they can be helpful when paired with psychological therapy.

Psychotherapy can help you to change negative thoughts and behaviors that can cause anxiety. It can help you learn to manage your anxiety and develop coping skills. Based on the severity of your health condition, you could undergo exposure or cognitive behavioural therapy. Cognitive behavioural therapy teaches you to overcome unhelpful and fearful thoughts, and overcome your fear of situations that trigger anxiety. Exposure therapy involves gradually increasing the level of anxiety-inducing situations until you are able to manage them. It can be carried out in a group or on your own. In both instances, the results can take a while to show. Some people believe that a combination of psychotherapy and medication is the best option. Some people find that medication alone is sufficient to treat symptoms. Inform your doctor about how you manage your symptoms.

Other Medicines

Other medications can also help relieve your symptoms. Beta blockers and antihistamines are often prescribed to alleviate anxiety.

These medications correct an imbalance in the brain's chemicals and can help alleviate symptoms by reducing or blocking signals that cause you stress and fear. However, they'ren't the only solution. You'll need to continue doing other things to manage your anxiety, including physical exercise as well as relaxation techniques and psychotherapy.

The SSRIs or SNRIs are often the most commonly prescribed anxiety medications that your doctor can prescribe. According to research, these medications are the most effective in treating anxiety disorders. The most commonly used SSRIs include sertraline (Zoloft), the fluoxetine (Prozac) and citalopram (Celexa), and escitalopram (Lexapro). These drugs may cause minor side effects, such as nausea or insomnia, but they usually subside within 4-8 weeks. In contrast to benzodiazepines, these are not addictive and won't increase your risk for suicidal thoughts.

The benzodiazepines such as alprazolam clonazepam, and diazepoxide, (Valium) offer immediate relief from panic and anxiety attacks. However, they can cause side effects such as drowsiness and dizziness. They can also cause problems with coordination and memory, and even dependence. These drugs are less popular than older barbiturates, however they are equally effective.

Antihistamines, like Vistaril (hydroxyzine) are designed to help with allergies however, they're also employed to alleviate anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine can have a calming effect by blocking the histamine receptors. It is not a controlled drug and therefore doesn't have the same addiction risks as benzodiazepines.

Another type of medication that may help with anxiety is a class called anticonvulsants. They have been shown to ease anxiety by inhibiting the release and production of serotonin and dopamine. These medications are often used as part of an integrated therapy or to treat anxiety in the short-term. Your doctor will assess your medical history and symptoms to determine if these drugs are suitable for you. They'll also discuss how long you should take them for and any potential negative side effects. Anxiety medication is only available through prescription, which means that you'll need a psychiatrist to prescribe it.

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