Treat Anxiety 101: The Ultimate Guide For Beginners

Meds That Treat Anxiety

Anxiety affects 40 million adults in the United States. Many types of medications are available to treat it.

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. They're not addictive, unlike benzodiazepines.

SSRIs

The most common anxiety medication is selective serotonin reuptake inhibits (SSRIs) which include citalopram, escitalopram, and fluoxetine. These medications can also help with depression, and can alleviate symptoms associated with other anxiety disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). They may take up to a month for them to begin to work.

These medications are effective by increasing the quantity of certain chemical transmitters within the brain. This includes serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. These medications are typically the first choice to treat anxiety, although doctors may also prescribe other kinds of antidepressants or benzodiazepines.

Another class of antidepressants, known as serotonin and norepinephrine-reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) such as duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor) are used to treat anxiety. They work a little differently from SSRIs because they reduce the reabsorption of norepinephrine and serotonin, although at lower levels than SSRIs. These medications take a long time to be effective and are more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), such as imipramine (Tofranil), can be effective in treating certain anxiety disorders, notably GAD. However their drowsiness and other side effects make them less popular. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are a different kind of antidepressant used to combat anxiety. They are a high risk of toxicity and restrictions on diets restrict their use.

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

Therapy is an essential component of a treatment plan for anxiety as it can help you understand your symptoms and the causes. Many people discover that both therapy and medication aid to manage anxiety. Certain studies have proven that cognitive behavioral therapy is just as effective as anxiety medications. Talk to your doctor to find out what's best for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines produce an calming effect, which can reduce anxiety and relax tense muscles. They also alleviate symptoms of fear-related bodily arousal (like heart rate, trembling and shaking) and promote sleep.

The way they function is through binding to inhibitory neurotransmitters, like gamma-aminobutryic acid, or GABA, at receptors in the central nervous system. They increase the effects of GABA by facilitating its inhibitory effect on other neurotransmitters and decreasing the number of messages that are transmitted to the amygdala, which is the brain's region which detects threats and gives the feeling of fear.

These medications can be utilized for short periods of time, such as when panic attacks occur or if you are experiencing extreme anxiety. They can relieve symptoms within 30 to 60 minutes. Contrary to SSRIs they don't stay in the body for long. They're quick-acting and typically work in a matter of hours, making them suitable for situations in which quick relief is needed (like during an airplane flight or prior to giving a public presentation).

Since they are addictive, patients are usually prescribed up to four weeks at a time. After that period, they also lose their effectiveness.

One of the reasons benzodiazepines were so popular was they were efficient and had few side effects when compared to their predecessors like meprobamate or barbiturates. They are safe and have a rapid start, and can be used as anxiolytics to reduce anxiety. They can also be used as sedatives, anticonvulsants, and muscle relaxants.

Benzos were blamed for negative attitudes towards anxiety that were developed in the 1970s and 1980s and included the denial of the disorder, and the perception that benzodiazepine treatments lead to physical dependence. However the fact that benzodiazepines play a significant part in the treatment of anxiety disorders, especially when combined with psychosocial interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy and other 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 take with benzodiazepines by looking up 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 antidepressants for other health conditions, including bipolar disorder, eating disorders and certain kinds of pain.

SSRIs are typically prescribed as a first-line  treatment of anxiety  by doctors, however they might not work for everyone. If they don't work doctors can look at the more traditional antidepressant known as a tricyclic or tetracyclic antidepressant. These include amitriptyline and nortriptyline, clomipramine and trimipramine, dothiepin, doxepin or imipramine. They're less common than newer antidepressants, but still readily available. You may also ask your doctor to prescribe the sedating antidepressant trazodone(Desyrel) at lower doses if you're experiencing anxiety or sleep problems.

Other antidepressants that can aid are Nefazodone (Ferdinand) and duloxetine (Cymbalta). These medications are also available in generic form. 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 drugs aren't commonly used to treat anxiety on their own however they can be helpful when paired with psychological therapy.

Psychological therapy can help you to change negative thoughts and behaviors that contribute to your anxiety. It can help you manage your anxiety and develop how to cope. Depending on the severity of your problem exposure therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy may be recommended. Cognitive behavioural therapy assists you to learn to challenge unhelpful thoughts, fears and avoidance of situations that trigger anxiety. Exposure therapy involves gradually increasing the severity of anxiety-inducing situations until are able to manage them. It can be performed in a group or individually. In both cases, it takes time to achieve results. A combination of medication and psychological therapy is the best option for certain people. Some people find that taking medication alone is enough to manage symptoms. It's crucial to tell your doctor what you're doing to manage your symptoms.

Other Medical Treatments

Other drugs can also aid in relieving your symptoms. Antihistamines and beta blockers are sometimes prescribed to relieve anxiety.

These drugs can help you alleviate your symptoms by reducing or blocking signals that trigger anxiety and stress. They're not a panacea. You'll still require a variety of methods to reduce anxiety, including physical exercise relaxation techniques, relaxation techniques and psychotherapy.

The SSRIs or SNRIs are often the most commonly prescribed anxiety medications that your doctor may prescribe. These are the most effective medicines to treat anxiety disorders, according to research studies. SSRIs are typically found in sertraline (Zoloft) and Citropram, fluoxetine, and escitalopram. These drugs may cause minor adverse effects, like nausea or insomnia, but they typically disappear within 4-8 weeks. They aren't addictive and they don't increase the risk of suicidal thoughts.

The benzodiazepines, alprazolam (Xanax) and clonazepam (Klonopin), and diazepoxide (Valium) provide immediate relief for panic attacks and anxiety, but they can have adverse effects, such as dizziness, drowsiness and coordination problems, and dependence. They're not as popular than the older barbiturates, but are just as efficient.

Antihistamines, like Vistaril (hydroxyzine) are developed to relieve allergies, but they're also sometimes used to ease anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine block histamine receptors within the brain and may cause the body to relax. It's not a controlled substance which means it doesn't carry the same risks of addiction as benzodiazepines.

Another kind of medication that may help with anxiety is a class of medications known as anticonvulsants. They've been shown to relieve anxiety by inhibiting the release and production of serotonin and dopamine. These medications are often prescribed as a part of an integrated therapy or to treat anxiety in the short-term. Your doctor will evaluate your symptoms and health history to determine if these drugs 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 you'll need to see a psychiatrist to get these medications.