Treat Anxiety 101: Your Ultimate Guide For Beginners

Meds That Treat Anxiety

Anxiety is one of the most prevalent mental health conditions that affects 40 million adults in the United States. It is extremely treatable, and there are 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. Unlike benzodiazepines, they're not addictive.

SSRIs

The most popular anxiety medication is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro) and fluoxetine (Prozac). These medications also help with depression, and can alleviate the symptoms of other anxiety disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). They may take up to a month before they start working.

These medications work by increasing the amount of certain chemical transmitters in the brain. This includes serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. They are usually the first option for anxiety, however doctors also employ other kinds of antidepressants and benzodiazepines.

Antidepressants, such as duloxetine (Cymbalta), and venlafaxine (Effexor) are also used for anxiety. They work a little differently from SSRIs in that they reduce the reabsorption of norepinephrine and serotonin, although at lower levels than SSRIs. These medicines may take a few days to start taking effects, and also are more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) such as imipramine (Tofranil), are effective in treating some anxiety disorders, including GAD. Their drowsiness, as well as other adverse effects, make them less popular. Another kind of antidepressant, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), can also be used to treat anxiety. However, their strict dietary restrictions and the risk of toxicity limit their use.

Benzodiazepines are used to treat anxiety and panic attacks in the short-term, while waiting for SSRIs and SNRIs. These drugs can trigger tolerance and addiction, sedation and apathy as well as withdrawal reactions that can cause rebound anxiety, depression and even delirium. Benzodiazepines can be found in alprazolam as well as clonazepam and lorazepam.

Therapy is a vital part of any treatment plan for anxiety. It assists you to better understand your symptoms and their reasons. Many people find that medication and therapy both aid in coping. Some studies suggest that cognitive behavioral therapy works just as well as medication for anxiety. Talk with your physician about your options and what could be the best choice for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines produce an calming effect, reduce anxiety and relax muscles that are tense. They also alleviate symptoms of bodily stimulation related to fear (like heart rate, trembling or shaking) and encourage sleep.

The way they function is through binding to inhibitory neurotransmitters, such as gamma-aminobutryic acid or GABA, at receptors in the central nervous system. They enhance the effects of GABA by increasing its inhibitory effects on other neurotransmitters, and reducing the number of messages sent to the amygdala, a region of the brain which detects threats and gives the feeling of fear.

These medications can be used for short durations of time for instance, when a panic attack occurs or when you experience severe anxiety. They can help relieve symptoms in 30 to 60 minutes. In contrast to SSRIs which are a long-lasting medication, benzodiazepines do not stay in the body for long. They are fast-acting and often work in a matter of hours, making them ideal for situations where quick relief is needed (like during a flight or prior to giving an address in public).

Since they can be addictive, people are typically prescribed up to four weeks at a go. They also lose their effectiveness after that time.

One of the reasons benzodiazepines were so popular was that they were effective and had minimal side effects when compared with their predecessors like meprobamate and barbiturates. They are efficient and have a rapid start, and can be employed as anxiolytics to decrease anxiety. They can also be employed as sedatives, anticonvulsants, and muscle relaxants.

Benzos are often blamed for the negative attitudes towards anxiety that developed in the 1970s and 1980s, which included the stigmatization of anxiety and the belief that benzodiazepine treatment can lead to physical dependence. Despite this they still play an important role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, especially in combination with psychosocial interventions like cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy.

treatments for anxiety disorders  can interact with other medications and cause undesirable side effects, such as drowsiness and disorientation. It is important to inform your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription, or herbal medications that you are currently taking or are planning to take. Take a look at the British National Formulary A to Z list of medication interactions to find out what medicines are safe to take with benzodiazepines.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants can reduce anxiety and other mental health issues. 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 a variety of antidepressants for other health ailments, too, such as eating disorders, certain kinds of pain, and bipolar disorder.

Most doctors prescribe SSRIs as the first-line treatment for anxiety, but these drugs may not be appropriate for all people. If these antidepressants aren't working the doctor might suggest an older version called a tetracyclic or tricyclic antidepressant. They include amitriptyline, nortriptyline, as well as Clomipramine. They're less common than newer antidepressants, yet they're still accessible. You may ask your doctor to prescribe the sedating antidepressant trazodone(Desyrel) at lower doses in case you are experiencing anxiety or sleep problems.

Nefazodone, also known as Ferdinand (Cymbalta), and duloxetine may also be useful. They're also available in generic forms. If they do not work, your doctor can try the sedating antidepressant mirtazapine (Remeron) or the antipsychotics olanzapine and quetiapine.

Beta blockers are used to treat other anxiety disorders. They lower heart rate and blood pressure by blocking adrenaline. These drugs aren't usually used for anxiety alone, but can be helpful when used in conjunction with psychotherapy.

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 strategies. Depending on the severity of your problem, exposure therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy might be recommended. Cognitive behavioural therapy helps you overcome negative, fearful thoughts and overcome the fear of situations that cause anxiety. The process involves increasing the anxiety provoking situations until they can be managed. It can be carried out in a group or individually. In both instances, the results can take a while to show. Some people find that the combination of psychotherapy and medication is the best option. However, others discover that medications alone are enough to manage their symptoms. It's crucial to tell your doctor about the things you're doing to manage your symptoms.

Other Medications

Other medications can help alleviate your symptoms. Beta blockers, antihistamines and buspirone are all prescribed to ease anxiety.

These medications correct an imbalance in your brain's chemical balance and can alleviate your symptoms by reducing or blocking signals that trigger anxiety and stress. But, they're not the only solution. You'll still need to do other things to control your anxiety, including exercises, relaxation techniques, and psychological therapy.

Your doctor might 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. The most common SSRIs include sertraline (Zoloft) and the fluoxetine (Prozac) and citalopram (Celexa), and escitalopram (Lexapro). These medications might have mild side effects, like nausea or insomnia, but they typically disappear within 4-8 weeks. In contrast to benzodiazepines, these are not addictive and do not increase the risk of suicidal ideas.

The benzodiazepines alprazolam (Xanax) and clonazepam (Klonopin) and diazepoxide (Valium) offer immediate relief from panic attacks and anxiety However, they can cause side effects, including dizziness, drowsiness, memory and coordination issues, as well as dependence. These are less popular than older barbiturates but are equally effective.

Antihistamines, like Vistaril (hydroxyzine), were designed to help with allergies, but they're also sometimes used to ease anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine block histamine receptors within the brain, and can trigger a calming effect. It's not a controlled substance which means it doesn't carry the same addiction risks like benzodiazepines.

Another type of medication that can aid with anxiety is a class of medications known as anticonvulsants. They have been shown to ease anxiety by affecting the release and production of serotonin and dopamine. They might be prescribed in conjunction with other drugs or as a temporary treatment for anxiety. Your doctor will assess your medical history and symptoms to determine if these medicines are suitable for you. They will discuss the length of time you should take these medications and any side effects that may occur. Anxiety medications can only be purchased on prescription, which means you'll have to see a psychiatrist to get these medications.