Meds That Treat Anxiety

Anxiety is one of the most prevalent mental health conditions that affects 40 million adults in the United States. It’s extremely treatable with numerous medications available.

SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), like Zoloft, Prozac, Lexapro and Effexor, work medicine to Treat anxiety and depression alleviate anxiety by raising levels of the chemical serotonin in the brain. They’re not addictive, unlike benzodiazepines.

SSRIs

The most popular anxiety medication is selective serotonin inhibits (SSRIs) which include citalopram, escitalopram, and fluoxetine. These medications are also used to treat depression and anxiety treatment near me and relieve symptoms of anxiety disorders such as obsessive compulsive disorder. It can take up one month before they begin working.

They help by increasing the levels of certain chemical transmitters within the brain. This includes serotonin and norepinephrine as well as dopamine. These medications are typically the first choice to treat anxiety, though doctors may prescribe other forms of antidepressants, also known as benzodiazepines.

Antidepressants such as 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, although at lower levels than SSRIs. These medicines can take a while to start taking effects, and they tend to be more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants like imipramine Tofranil can be effective for treating anxiety disorders. Their drowsiness, as well as other adverse effects make them less popular. Another kind of antidepressant, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) can be used to treat anxiety. They are a high risk of toxicity and dietary restrictions limit their use.

Benzodiazepines are commonly used to combat anxiety and panic attacks in the short-term for instance, when waiting for SSRIs or SNRIs to begin working. These drugs can trigger tolerance addiction, sedation, and withdrawal reactions that include rebound anxiety, depression and even delirium. The most commonly used benzodiazepines are alprazolam (Xanax) and clonazepam (Klonopin) and lorazepam (Ativan).

Therapy is an essential component of a treatment plan for anxiety, as it helps you understand your symptoms and their root causes. Many people find that therapy and medication both help them cope. Certain studies have proven that cognitive behavioral therapy is just as effective as anxiety treatment natural medications. Talk to your doctor to find out what’s right for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines create an calming effect, which can reduce anxiety and relax muscles. They also alleviate symptoms of bodily arousal due to fear (like heart racing and shaking) and encourage sleep.

They work by binding inhibitory neurons, like GABA or gamma aminobutryic acids and bind to receptors in the central nervous system. They enhance the effects of GABA by increasing its inhibitory effects on other neurotransmitters and decreasing the amount of messages that are sent to the amygdala, a region of the brain which detects threats and gives the feeling of fear.

These drugs can be used for short durations like when panic attacks occur or if you are experiencing severe anxiety. They can help relieve symptoms in 30 to 60 minutes. Contrary to SSRIs, benzodiazepines don’t remain in the body for a long time. They are fast acting and can work within a few hours. This makes them ideal for situations where immediate relief is needed (such as during an airplane ride or before a presentation in public).

They can be addictive, so people are generally only prescribed them for up to four weeks at one time. They also lose their effectiveness after that time.

One of the main reasons benzodiazepines were so popular was that they were effective and had minimal side effects when compared with their predecessors, such as meprobamate and barbiturates. 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 have been blamed for the negative attitudes toward anxiety that emerged in the 1970s and 1980s. This included the denial of the disorder and the belief that benzodiazepine treatment leads to physical dependence. Yet the fact that benzodiazepines play a crucial role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, especially when they are combined with psychosocial interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapies.

Benzos can interact with other drugs and cause unwanted side-effects, like drowsiness or confusion. It is important to inform your doctor be aware of any other prescription, non-prescription or herbal medications you’re taking or thinking about taking. Check the British National Formulary A to Z list of medication interactions to find out which medicines are safe to take with benzodiazepines.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants are effective in treating anxiety in bipolar disorder anxiety and other mental conditions. 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 to treat other health conditions, including eating disorders, bipolar disorder and certain types of pain.

Most doctors recommend SSRIs as the first line treatment for anxiety, but these medications may not be appropriate for everyone. If these antidepressants aren’t working, the doctor may try an older form of medication known as a tetracyclic or tricyclic antidepressant. This includes amitriptyline, nortriptyline, clomipramine, dothiepin, doxepin, trimipramine or imipramine. These antidepressants are not as popular but are still readily available. Your doctor may also prescribe the antidepressant with a sedating effect, trazodone (Desyrel) in lower doses to treat anxiety or insomnia.

Nefazodone, also known as Ferdinand (Cymbalta), and duloxetine are also helpful. They’re also available in generic forms. If they don’t work, your doctor may suggest the tranquilizing antidepressant mirtazapine (Remeron) or the antipsychotics olanzapine and quetiapine.

Beta blockers are used to treat other anxiety disorders. They reduce heart rate and blood pressure by blocking adrenaline. These medications aren’t typically used for anxiety alone however they can be helpful when paired with psychotherapy.

Psychological therapy can help you overcome negative thoughts and behavior patterns that contribute to your anxiety. It can teach you to manage your anxiety and develop coping skills. Depending on your health condition, you could receive cognitive behavioural therapy or exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioural therapy helps you learn to challenge unhelpful, fearful thoughts and overcome the fear of situations that trigger your anxiety. Exposure therapy is the process of increasing the anxiety-inducing situations until they can be managed. It can be carried out in a group or individually. In both cases it takes time to demonstrate results. Some people find that the combination of medication and psychotherapy is the best choice. However, others discover that medications alone are sufficient to treat their symptoms. It’s crucial to tell your doctor about the things you’re doing how to treat anxiety disorder naturally control your symptoms.

Other Medications

While benzodiazepines and antidepressants are the most common treatments for anxiety, other medications can help ease your symptoms as well. Antihistamines, beta blockers, and buspirone are all sometimes prescribed to ease anxiety.

These drugs can help you alleviate your symptoms by lowering or blocking the signals that cause stress and fear. However, they’re not an all-in-one solution. You’ll require a variety of methods to control anxiety, including exercises, relaxation techniques and psychological therapy.

The SSRIs or SNRIs are often the first choice of anxiety medication that your doctor can prescribe. These are the most effective drugs for treating anxiety disorders according to research studies. SSRIs are typically found in sertraline (Zoloft), Citropram, fluoxetine, and escitalopram. These medications may cause mild side effects like insomnia and nausea, but these usually subside in 4-8 weeks. They aren’t addictive, and they don’t increase the risk of suicidal thoughts.

The benzodiazepines such as alprazolam diazepoxide, and clonazepam (Valium) are a quick relief from anxiety and panic attacks. However, they may cause adverse effects, including dizziness and drowsiness. They may also cause memory and coordination issues, and even dependence. These medications are less well-known than the older barbiturates, but they are equally effective.

Antihistamines such as Vistaril (hydroxyzine) were originally designed to help with allergies. However, they are also used to alleviate anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine block histamine receptors within the brain and may cause an energizing effect. It is not a controlled drug, so it does not have the same risk of addiction as benzodiazepines.

Another type of medication that can help with anxiety is a class of medications known as anticonvulsants. They’ve been shown to ease anxiety by affecting the release and production of dopamine and serotonin. These medications are often used as part of a combination therapy or used to treat anxiety in the short-term. Your doctor will assess your health history and symptoms to determine if these drugs are suitable for you. They will also discuss the length of time you’ll need these medicines and any potential side effects that may occur. Anxiety medications are only available through prescription, so you’ll need a psychiatrist to prescribe it.