Medications to Treat Anxiety

While therapy is the best alternative treatment for anxiety And panic attacks for anxiety, there are times when a short course of medication is necessary. Medications to treat anxiety include antidepressants and tranquilizers.

SSRI antidepressants like citalopram escitalopram, and sertraline can reduce anxiety. SNRIs that target the chemicals serotonin as well as norepinephrine could be effective.

SSRIs

SSRIs are typically the first medications prescribed by doctors to treat anxiety disorders. They prevent neurons in the brain from absorbing serotonin, a chemical that plays a crucial role in regulating mood. It takes time for the medications to be effective, but people usually start to feel better after about 4 to six weeks. SSRIs aren’t habit-forming and will not cause addiction, which means they can be taken for long durations of time.

Another type of antidepressant, SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), also treats depression and anxiety. Examples of SNRIs are citalopram (Celexa) as well as escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac) and paroxetine (Paxil) and sertraline (Zoloft). Tricyclic antidepressants, such as imipramine (Tofranil), doxepine, and an Anxiety Disorder stimulant are also used to treat depression and anxiety. Novel antidepressants such as mirtazapine (Remeron) are also used to treat anxiety disorders.

Doctors don’t know how SSRIs or SNRIs function however they do are aware that they enhance the activity of certain chemical messengers called neurotransmitters in the brain. They stop the brain from reabsorbing chemicals and allow these chemicals to bind to receptors.

SSRIs are used to treat generalized anxiety disorder, GAD; obsessive-compulsive disorder, OCD; panic disorder/agoraphobia; and posttraumatic stress disorder, PTSD. They can also help with bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder, however this is less common.

People suffering from anxiety who don’t respond to SSRIs may be prescribed an atypical antipsychotic drug. Examples include quetiapine, (Abilify), and aripiprazole (Risperdal). These medications ease extreme anxiety treatment in people with obsessive-compulsive disorders. They are typically prescribed together with an antidepressant. They are less likely to cause serious adverse reactions than other forms of antipsychotics.

Beta-blockers are also a class of medication that can be used to reduce anxiety and are commonly prescribed for heart ailments. Propranolol and atenolol are two examples. They can aid in reducing the physical symptoms of anxiety, particularly for people with social anxiety disorder. They can also aid in reducing anxiety prior to or following surgery and also for some chronic pain conditions. Benzodiazepines, like lorazepam and Ativan (Ativan) are able to be used when other medications do not work. They can be addictive and can be habit-forming.

SNRIs

SNRIs are a different type of antidepressant medications that are often prescribed to combat anxiety. They work in a similar manner to SSRIs but also increase the quantity of norepinephrine as well as serotonin. They are therefore more efficient in treating certain anxiety disorders such as social anxiety disorder and anxiety panic disorder. Like other medications, they work best when they are combined with talking therapy and other treatment strategies.

Unlike benzodiazepines SNRIs don’t cause dependence or addiction for most people. However, some patients may experience withdrawal when discontinuing the medication after a long period of use. It is essential to speak with your physician prior to discontinuing any medication.

Neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine control mood and stress. They play an important role in the fight or flight response that a lot of anxiety sufferers experience. By blocking the reuptake process, SNRIs prevent nerve cells from absorption of these neurotransmitters in a rapid manner. They hold these chemicals in the body for longer, and can boost mood, decrease anxiety, and even help with anxiety attacks.

Norepinephrine is also involved in anxiety, as it stimulates the Amygdala. This is a deep and primitive part of the brain that is linked to anxiety-related behavior. SNRIs decrease the activity in this region of the brain. This can boost mood, anxiety treatment at home and even reduce panic attacks.

These medicines are extremely helpful, but they can also increase suicidal thinking in some people. Due to this, they are usually prescribed in higher doses and for a short time. These medications can also interact with other medications and substances. You should inform your doctor if are taking any other prescriptions or over the counter medications. Also keep them informed of any existing conditions, such as heart problems and bleeding disorders. Also, be aware that certain patients have reported adverse reactions to SNRIs including dry mouth and nausea.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines, or benzos as they are often called, are quick-acting drugs that reduce anxiety and other anxiety-related symptoms, including tension in the muscles and insomnia. They can be helpful for patients suffering from anxiety disorders, like panic disorder and social anxiety, especially if other treatments, such as SSRIs or psychotherapy (talk therapy) do not work. They can also be employed as a temporary remedy as you wait for your antidepressant medication to kick in. Drugs like diazepam (Valium) and lorazepam (Ativan) are the most commonly used benzos, but other benzos include Clonazepam (Rivotril), temazepam (Restoril) and flurazepam (Dalmane).

They usually begin to work within 30 minutes due to the fact that they are rapid-acting. They don’t last for very long in the body, which is why you must take them regularly to reap the benefits. Using benzos for long durations of time can lead to physical dependence and addiction, so they should be used only for the shortest time possible. Benzos should not be taken by people with anxiety or depression disorders since they may increase the risk.

People who use benzos for long periods of duration, often without medical supervision, can develop a condition referred to as sedative-use disorder, which includes addiction and withdrawal symptoms. This problem is rare in people who use benzos on prescription. Rather, misuse of benzos is usually the result of other factors like alcohol abuse or depression.

Utilizing benzodiazepines in the long term can also cause tolerance to their effects of sedation. If you develop tolerance, it takes more and more of the medication to achieve the same effect. This can sometimes cause respiratory depression, or even death. It is crucial to take benzodiazepines in the prescribed dosage and on a regular basis.

Other Medical Treatments

SSRIs and SNRIs are the first medications doctors will typically prescribe to treat anxiety. They alter serotonin which affects the mood sleep, appetite, and appetite. They may take a long time to show results, up to 12 weeks, and may cause some side effects like insomnia or nausea. SSRIs can also be used to treat mental disorders, such as depression, panic disorder, and obsessive compulsive disorder. Antidepressants, unlike benzodiazepines, do not cause physical dependence. However, they can cause withdrawal symptoms if they are abruptly stopped.

The medicines in this class include sertraline (Zoloft) and the fluoxetine (Prozac) and citalopram (Celexa). They may be used on their own or in combination with therapy. Antidepressants are prescribed by psychiatrists, psychologists or family physicians who have specialized training in medication management.

Doctors may prescribe a class called monoamine-oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) as an antidepressant. These drugs inhibit the action of certain enzymes that break down chemicals, such as serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. MAOIs can take up to three or four weeks to take effect however they aren’t as quick-acting as SSRIs.

Clonidine is another medication that can be used to control anxiety. It is typically used to treat anxiety however, it can also be used to control blood pressure. Its effectiveness is limited due to side effects such as hypotension and sedation. Antihistamines such as hydroxyzine can be prescribed by doctors to reduce anxiety and panic attacks. Certain patients may also experience a reduction in the effectiveness of benzodiazepines.

The treatment for anxiety is usually using medication, psychotherapy and exercise. Working with a therapist that has a specialization in anxiety disorders is the most effective way to treat anxiety. They can help you determine the underlying causes for anxiety and recommend strategies to manage it without medication if necessary. Other options for treating anxiety that are not medications include eye movement desensitization, mindfulness meditation, reprocessing, and yoga that is trauma-informed. Talk to your therapist about how to determine the best way to treat anxiety disorder option for you. Psychologists are trained to assess your symptoms and medical history and develop an anxiety treatment plan that is suited to you. They will consider your specific medical history and preferences when developing this plan, and will make changes to it as they go along.