What Experts From The Field Want You To Know

Meds That Treat Anxiety
Anxiety affects 40 million people in the United States. It's extremely treatable with various types of medication available.
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. In contrast to benzodiazepines, they're addictive.
SSRIs
The most common anxiety medications are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) which include citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro) and fluoxetine (Prozac). These drugs are also used to treat depression as well as relieve symptoms of other anxiety disorders like obsessive compulsive disorder. They may take up to a month for them to start working.
They work by increasing the amount of certain chemical transmitters within the brain. This includes serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. They are usually the first option for anxiety, but doctors also use other types of antidepressants and benzodiazepines.
Antidepressants such as duloxetine, (Cymbalta), and venlafaxine, (Effexor) are also used for anxiety. They work a little differently from SSRIs, as they also reduce the reabsorption rate of norepinephrine and serotonin, although at lower levels than SSRIs. These medicines take a long time to be effective and are more expensive than SSRIs.
Tricyclic antidepressants, like imipramine Tofranil are effective for treating anxiety disorders. Their drowsiness, as well as other adverse effects are what make them less well-liked. Another kind of antidepressant, monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs) are also able to be used to combat anxiety. They are a high risk of toxicity and restrictions on diets make them unsuitable for use.
Benzodiazepines can be used to treat panic attacks and anxiety in the short-term in the meantime, while waiting for SSRIs and SNRIs. These medications can cause tolerance and addiction, sedation and apathy, and withdrawal reactions that may cause depression, anxiety, and even delirium. The most common benzodiazepines are alprazolam (Xanax), Clonazepam (Klonopin) and lorazepam (Ativan).
Therapy is an important part of a treatment plan for anxiety because it allows you to learn more about your symptoms and the causes. Many people find that therapy and medication both help them cope. Some studies have shown that cognitive behavioral therapy is just as effective as medications for anxiety. Talk with your doctor about your options and what could be the best choice for you.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines create a calming effect, decrease anxiety and relax muscles that are tense. They also relieve symptoms of bodily stimulation related to fear (like heart rate or trembling), and promote sleep.
The way they function is through binding to inhibitory neurotransmitters, like gamma-aminobutryic acid, or GABA and interacting with receptors in the central nervous system. They enhance the effects of GABA by facilitating its inhibitory effect on other neurotransmitters while reducing the amount of messages that are that are transmitted to the amygdala, an area of the brain that detects threats and creates the feeling of fear.
These medications are sometimes taken for short durations, such as during a panic attack or severe anxiety episode. They can help ease the symptoms within 30 to 90 minutes after taking them. Unlike SSRIs, benzodiazepines don't remain in the body for very long. They're fast-acting and can be used within a few hours. This makes them ideal for situations in which immediate relief is needed (such as during an airplane ride or before a presentation in public).
They are addictive, which is why people are generally only prescribed them for up to four weeks at each time. After that time they also lose their effectiveness.
One of the reasons why the benzodiazepines became so well-known is that they were effective and had minimal side effects when compared with their predecessors, such as meprobamate and barbiturates. They are effective and have a rapid onset and can be used as anxiolytics in order to reduce anxiety. They can also be employed as sedatives, anticonvulsants, and muscle relaxants.
Benzos have been blamed for the negative perceptions of anxiety that developed in the 1970s and 1980s, including the stigmatization of anxiety and the perception that benzodiazepine treatment causes physical dependence. Despite this the fact that benzodiazepines play a significant role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, particularly when they are combined with psychosocial interventions like cognitive behavioral therapy or interpersonal therapies.
Benzos can interact with other drugs and trigger unwanted side effects, such as drowsiness or confusion. It is important to inform your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription or herbal medication you currently use or are planning to take. You can determine which medications are safe to use with benzodiazepines by checking the British National Formulary A-Z list of drug interactions.
Antidepressants
Antidepressants are effective in treating 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 many antidepressants to treat other conditions, too, such as eating disorders, some types of pain, and bipolar disorder.
SSRIs are typically prescribed as a first-line treatment of anxiety by doctors, but they may not work for all people. If the antidepressants do not work the doctor might suggest an older version called a tetracyclic or tricyclic antidepressant. These include amitriptyline or nortriptyline as well as Clomipramine. These antidepressants are less common but are still accessible. You may ask your doctor to prescribe the sedating antidepressant trazodone(Desyrel), at lower doses in case you are having sleep problems or anxiety.
Other antidepressants that may aid are Nefazodone (Ferdinand) and duloxetine (Cymbalta). They are also available in generic forms. If they aren't working, your physician can try the tranquilizing antidepressant mirtazapine (Remeron) or the antipsychotics quetiapine or olanzapine.
Other medications for anxiety disorders include beta blockers, which reduce the blood pressure and heart rate by blocking the action of adrenaline. These medications aren't typically used to treat anxiety by themselves however they can be beneficial when paired with psychotherapy.
Psychotherapy can help you change negative thoughts and behaviors that cause anxiety. It can help you learn to control your anxiety, and build coping skills. Depending on the severity of your condition, exposure therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy might be recommended. Cognitive behavioural therapy teaches you to overcome fears and thoughts that are harmful, and to overcome your aversion to situations that cause anxiety. I Am Psychiatry involves gradually increasing the level of anxiety-provoking situations until you are able to manage them. It can be done either individually or in small groups. In both cases, results will take time to manifest. A combination of medication and psychotherapy therapy is the best option for certain people. Some people find that taking medication alone is sufficient to treat symptoms. It's important to tell your doctor about the things you're doing to manage your symptoms.
Other Medications
Other medications can also help alleviate your symptoms. Beta blockers and antihistamines are sometimes prescribed to relieve anxiety.
These drugs can help you alleviate your symptoms by reducing or blocking the signals that trigger stress and fear. But, they're not an all-in-one solution. You'll still have to take steps to manage anxiety, including physical exercise relaxation techniques, relaxation techniques and psychotherapy.
Your doctor could initially prescribe one of the "first first" anxiety medications, which include SSRIs and SNRIs. These are the most effective medications for treating anxiety disorders, according to research studies. SSRIs are commonly found in sertraline (Zoloft), Citropram, fluoxetine, and escitalopram. These drugs can cause mild side effects like insomnia and nausea, however these tend to subside within 4-8 weeks. Unlike the benzodiazepines, they're not addictive and do not increase the risk of suicidal thoughts.
The benzodiazepines, alprazolam, diazepoxide, and clonazepam (Valium), provide immediate relief from anxiety and panic attacks. However, they may cause side effects such as drowsiness and dizziness. They may also cause problems with coordination and memory and may even cause dependence. These medications are less well-known than the older barbiturates, but they are equally effective.
Antihistamines like Vistaril (hydroxyzine) were initially developed to relieve allergies. However they can also be used to reduce anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine has a calming effect because it blocks histamine receptors. It is not a controlled substance, so it does not have the same addiction risks as benzodiazepines.
Another kind of medication that can help with anxiety is a class of medications known as anticonvulsants, which have been shown to ease anxiety by inhibiting the production and release of dopamine and serotonin. These medications are often prescribed as part of an integrated therapy or to treat anxiety in the short-term. Your doctor will examine your medical history and symptoms to determine if these medicines are appropriate for you. They'll also discuss the length of time you should take them and any potential negative side effects. Anxiety medication is only available on prescription, which means that you'll need a psychiatrist to prescribe it.