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The Reasons Treat Anxiety Isn't As Easy As You Imagine
Meds That Treat Anxiety

Anxiety affects 40 million adults in the United States. Many types of medications are 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. Unlike benzodiazepines, they're not addictive.

SSRIs

The most commonly used anxiety medication is selective serotonin reuptake inhibits (SSRIs) which include citalopram, escitalopram, and fluoxetine. These drugs also treat depression and can help relieve symptoms associated with other anxiety disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It can take up one month for them to begin working.


They help by increasing the levels of certain chemical transmitters within the brain. This includes serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. They're typically the first treatment option for anxiety, but doctors also use other types of antidepressants and benzodiazepines.

Another class of antidepressants, called serotonin and norepinephrine receptor inhibitors (SNRIs) like duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor), are also used to treat anxiety. They operate a bit differently from SSRIs in that they reduce the reabsorption of norepinephrine as well as serotonin, though at lower levels than SSRIs. These medications take a long time to take effect and are more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) like imipramine (Tofranil), can be effective in treating some anxiety disorders, including GAD. Their drowsiness, as well as other adverse effects are what make them less well-liked. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are a different kind of antidepressant that can be used to treat anxiety. Their high risk of toxicity and dietary restrictions make them unsuitable for use.

Benzodiazepines are commonly used to combat anxiety and panic attacks in the short-term like when you wait for SSRIs or SNRIs to kick in. These medications can cause dependence tolerance, sedation, and tolerance and withdrawal symptoms like a depression, anxiety, and delirium. Benzodiazepines can be found in alprazolam as well as clonazepam and lorazepam.

Therapy is a vital part of any anxiety treatment plan. It helps you to better know your symptoms and their causes. Many people find that medication and therapy both help them cope. Some studies suggest that cognitive behavioral therapy is as effective as medications for anxiety. Talk with your physician about your options and which might be best for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines can have a calming effect that reduces anxiety and relaxes muscles that are tense. They also reduce symptoms of bodily arousal related to fear (like heart rate, trembling and shaking) and encourage sleep.

They work by binding to inhibitory neurons, like GABA or gamma aminobutryic acids at receptors in the central nervous system. They increase the effects of GABA by facilitating the inhibitory effects of GABA on other neurotransmitters and reducing the number of messages sent to amygdala. It is a part of the brain which assesses threats and creates a sense of anxiety.

These medications are sometimes employed for short periods of time, such as during a panic attack or severe anxiety attack. They may ease 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 fast-acting and can work in a matter of hours. This makes them perfect for situations where quick relief is required (such for instance, during an airplane ride or before a presentation in public).

As they can be addictive, people are typically prescribed for up to four weeks at a go. After that time, they also cease to be effective.

One of the reasons why benzodiazepines are so well-known is that they are efficient and have few side effects compared to their predecessors, such as barbiturates or meprobamate. They are safe and have a rapid start, and can be employed as anxiolytics to decrease anxiety. They can also be used as sedatives, anticonvulsants, and muscle relaxants.

Benzos are often blamed for the negative attitudes towards anxiety that emerged in the 1970s and 1980s, which included the denial of the disorder and the belief that benzodiazepine treatment can lead to physical dependence. However they still 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 drugs and cause undesirable side-effects such as drowsiness, confusion or drowsiness. It is important to inform your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription or herbal medicines you currently use or plan to take. You can determine which medications are safe to take along with benzodiazepines by looking up the British National Formulary A-Z list of drug interactions.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants can reduce 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 several antidepressants to treat other ailments, too, such as eating disorders, certain types of pain, and bipolar disorder.

The majority of doctors prescribe SSRIs as the first-line treatment for anxiety, however these medications may not be effective for everyone. If the antidepressants do not work the doctor might suggest an older type known as a tetracyclic or tricyclic antidepressant. anxiety disorder treatments at home include amitriptyline and nortriptyline as well as clomipramine. They're less common than newer antidepressants but are still readily available. You can ask your doctor to prescribe the sedating antidepressant, trazodone(Desyrel) in lower doses if you're experiencing anxiety or sleep problems.

Other antidepressants that can aid are Nefazodone (Ferdinand) and duloxetine (Cymbalta). They are also available in generic forms. If they aren't helping, your doctor may try the antipsychotics quetiapine or olanzapine or the sedative antidepressant Mirtazapine.

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 usually used for anxiety alone however they can be beneficial when used in conjunction with psychotherapy.

Psychological therapy can help you change negative thoughts and behaviors that contribute to your anxiety. It can help you to control your anxiety, and build coping skills. Depending on your health condition, you could undergo exposure or cognitive behavioural therapy. Cognitive behavioural therapy can help you learn to challenge unhelpful, fearful thoughts and overcome avoidance of situations that trigger anxiety. Exposure therapy involves increasing the anxiety-inducing situations until they can be managed. This can be done in a single session or in small groups. In both instances, results can take a while to show. Some people believe that a combination of medication and psychotherapy is the best choice. Others find that medication alone is sufficient to control their symptoms. It's important to tell your doctor what you're doing to control your symptoms.

Other Medications

While benzodiazepines and antidepressants are the most common treatments for anxiety, other drugs can ease your symptoms as well. Beta blockers and antihistamines are often 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 cause you stress and fear. However, they're not the only solution. You will still require a variety of methods to control anxiety, such as physical exercise relaxation techniques, relaxation techniques and psychotherapy.

Your doctor may first prescribe one of the "first choice" anxiety medications, which include SSRIs and SNRIs. According to research, these medications are the most effective in treating anxiety disorders. SSRIs are usually found in sertraline (Zoloft), the fluoxetine, citalopram and escitalopram. These medications may cause minor side effects, such as insomnia and nausea, however these tend to subside within 4-8 weeks. Unlike the benzodiazepines, they're not addictive and won't increase your risk for suicidal thoughts.

The benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam, clonazepam, and diazepoxide, (Valium), provide immediate relief from panic and anxiety attacks. However, they can cause side effects, such as dizziness and drowsiness. They may also cause problems with coordination and memory and even dependence. They're a less popular choice over the more traditional barbiturates but are just as efficient.

Antihistamines, such as Vistaril (hydroxyzine), were developed to relieve allergies, but they're also sometimes employed to alleviate anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine blocks histamine receptors in the brain and can cause an energizing effect. It's not a controlled drug, so it doesn't have the same addiction risks as benzodiazepines.

Anticonvulsants are an additional type of medication which can aid in reducing anxiety. They have been shown to reduce anxiety through blocking the production and release of dopamine and sérotonin. These medications are often used as part of a combination therapy or to treat anxiety in the short term. Your doctor will assess your medical history and symptoms to determine if these medicines are suitable for you. They'll also discuss the length of time you should be taking them and any possible adverse effects. Anxiety medications can only be purchased with a prescription, so you'll need to see a psychiatrist to get them.

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