Medications to Treat Anxiety

While therapy is the best treatment for anxiety, occasionally taking a short course of medicine is necessary. Antidepressants and tranquilizers are two of the medications that can be used to treat anxiety.

SSRI antidepressants, like citalopram (Celexa), Escitalopram (Lexapro) and sertraline (Zoloft) can improve communication between nerve cells in the brain, and may reduce anxiety. SNRIs that target the chemicals serotonin and norepinephrine can also be effective.

SSRIs

SSRIs are the first class of medication doctors prescribe to treat anxiety disorders. They prevent neurons in the brain from reabsorbing serotonin, a chemical that plays a key role in regulating mood. The medications take a while to take effect, but the majority of people are better after about 4 to 6 weeks. SSRIs aren't habit-forming and will not cause addiction, so they can be used for extended periods of time.

Another type of antidepressant, SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), also treats depression and anxiety. Examples of SNRIs include citalopram (Celexa), the escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac) and paroxetine (Paxil) and sertraline (Zoloft). Tricyclic antidepressants like imipramine (Tofranil) and the doxepine (Anxiety Disorder Stimulant) also treat anxiety and depression. Mirtazapine is a new antidepressant, is sometimes used to treat anxiety disorders.

Doctors do not know how SSRIs or SNRIs function, but they know that they boost the activity of certain chemical messengers referred to as neurotransmitters in the brain. They stop the brain from absorbing chemicals and permit 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 may also help with the bulimia nervosa disorder and binge eating disorder, but it is less common.

People suffering from anxiety who don't respond to SSRIs might be prescribed an atypical antipsychotic drug. Examples include quetiapine (Abilify) and aripiprazole (Risperdal). These drugs decrease weak legs anxiety treatment in those suffering from obsessive compulsive disorder. They are typically prescribed in conjunction with an antidepressant, and they are less likely of serious side effects compared to other antipsychotics.

Medications called beta-blockers can also be used to treat anxiety and are often prescribed for heart conditions. Propranolol and atenolol are two examples. They can reduce physical symptoms of anxiety in people with social anxiety disorder. They can also be helpful in reducing anxiety prior to or after surgery, and for certain chronic pain conditions. Benzodiazepines, like lorazepam or Ativan (Ativan) are able to be utilized when other treatments do not work. The use of benzodiazepines can become addictive and habit-forming.

SNRIs

SNRIs are a kind of antidepressant medication which is commonly prescribed to treat anxiety. They work similarly to SSRIs but they also increase the availability of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. As a result, they are usually more effective in treating specific types of anxiety disorders. This includes social anxiety disorder and panic disorder. They are most effective when used in conjunction with other treatment strategies and therapy.

In contrast to benzodiazepines, SNRIs do not cause dependence or addiction in the majority of people. Some sufferers may experience withdrawal symptoms discontinuing a medication after an extended period of usage. It is important to consult your physician prior to stopping any medication.

Neurotransmitters such as serotonin and norepinephrine regulate stress and mood. They play an important role in the fight or flight response that many anxiety sufferers experience. SNRIs prevent nerve cells from rapidly soaking up these neurotransmitters, by preventing the process of reuptake. They hold these chemicals in the body for longer periods of time and can improve mood, reduce anxiety, and even help with panic attacks.

Norepinephrine is also important in anxiety due to its ability to activate the amygdala, which is a deep and primal part of the brain that is associated with fear-related behavior. SNRIs can reduce activity in this part of the brain. This can boost mood, anxiety and alleviate panic attacks.

These medications are very helpful however, they may cause suicidal thoughts in some people. Because of this, they are typically prescribed in higher doses for a short-term period. In addition, these medications can interact with several other medications and substances. You should inform your doctor if you are taking any other prescriptions or over the counter medications. Also, keep them informed of any medical conditions that may be underlying like heart issues and bleeding disorders. Be aware that some patients have adverse reactions to SNRIs like nausea and a dry mouth.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines -- or benzos or benzos, as they're commonly referred to -- are medications that act quickly that help reduce anxiety and anxiety treatment center-related symptoms, like insomnia and muscle tension. They can be beneficial for patients suffering from anxiety disorders, like social anxiety and panic disorder particularly if other treatments, such as SSRIs or psychotherapy (talk therapy), don't work. They can be employed as a temporary remedy until you can wait for your antidepressant medication to kick in. Benzos include diazepam, temazepam, and flurazepam.

Because they're fast-acting, they usually start to work within 30 minutes. These medications don't last very long in the body, which is why you should take them on a regular basis to get the benefits. Benzos should not be used for prolonged periods of time as they can cause physical dependence and addiction. Benzos should not be used by people with anxiety or depression as they could increase the risk.

Benzo users who use them for long periods of duration, often without medical supervision, can develop a condition known as sedative-use disorders, which can include withdrawal symptoms and addiction. This is a rare issue for those who take benzos on prescription. Benzo addiction usually arises from other causes like alcoholism or depression.

The long-term may also lead to tolerance to their effects on sedation. If you develop tolerance, it takes more and more of the medication to have the same effect. In some instances it can result in respiratory depression, coma or death. It is important to take benzodiazepines in the prescribed dosage, even on a long-term basis.

Other Medical Treatments

SSRIs and SNRIs will be the primary drugs prescribed by doctors to treat anxiety. They affect serotonin which is responsible for mood as well as appetite and sleep. They may take a long time to take effect, up to 12 weeks, and may cause some adverse effects such as nausea or insomnia. SSRIs are also used to treat mental disorders like depression, panic disorder, and obsessive compulsive disorder. In contrast to benzodiazepines they don't cause physical dependence, but they can cause withdrawal symptoms when abruptly cut off.

Sertraline (Zoloft), Prozac (Prozac) Sertraline (Zoloft), Prozac (Prozac) and Celexa (Citalopram) are all drugs in this class. They may be used on their own or in combination with therapy. Antidepressants are prescribed by psychologists, psychiatrists or family physicians with special training in the management of medications.

Doctors can prescribe a class called monoamine-oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) as an antidepressant. These medications block the action of enzymes that break chemicals into smaller pieces, such as serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. MAOIs can take three or four weeks to work but they're not as fast-acting as SSRIs.

Clonidine is another drug that can be used to manage anxiety. It is typically used to treat anxiety, but is also used to lower blood pressure. Its effectiveness is limited by adverse effects like hypotension and sedation. Antihistamines, such as hydroxyzine, can be prescribed by medical professionals to help reduce anxiety and panic attacks. They may also decrease the effectiveness of benzodiazepines in certain patients.

Anxiety is often treated with a combination of psychotherapy, exercise and medication. The most effective approach is working with an expert therapist who is skilled in treating anxiety disorders. They can help you work through the underlying causes of your anxiety and recommend strategies for managing it without medication, if needed. Other treatment options for anxiety that are not medications include eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, mindfulness meditation and yoga based on trauma. Talk to your therapist about How To Treat Anxiety Without Meds to determine the best option for you. Psychologists are trained to assess your symptoms and medical history and develop an stomach anxiety treatment treatment plan that is suitable for you. They will take into consideration your particular medical history and preferences when preparing the plan and will make adjustments as needed.