Medications to Treat Anxiety
Therapy is the best method to reduce anxiety, but sometimes a short-term course of medication may be necessary. Treatment options for anxiety include antidepressants and tranquilizers.
SSRI antidepressants like citalopram, sertraline, and escitalopram can reduce anxiety. SNRIs that focus on the chemicals serotonin and norepinephrine may also be effective.
SSRIs
SSRIs are the first line of treatment doctors prescribe to treat anxiety disorders. anxiety therapy options prevent nerve cell re-absorption of serotonin in the brain, a substance that is important for mood regulation. The drugs take time to work, but most people experience improvement within about 4 to 6 weeks. SSRIs are non-habit-forming and do not cause addiction, which means they can be used for longer periods of time.
Another type of antidepressant, SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), also treats depression and anxiety. Examples of SNRIs include citalopram (Celexa) and the escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac) and paroxetine (Paxil) and sertraline (Zoloft). Tricyclic antidepressants such as imipramine (Tofranil) and doxepine and an anxiety Disorder stimulant are also used to treat depression and anxiety. New antidepressants like mirtazapine (Remeron) are also used to treat anxiety disorders.
Doctors don't know exactly how SSRIs and SNRIs work however they do know that they boost activity of certain chemical messengers within the brain, called neurotransmitters. They stop the brain from reabsorbing these chemicals, and permit them to bind with their 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 aid in bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder, but it is not as common.
Atypical antipsychotic drugs may be prescribed to patients with anxiety who don't respond to SSRIs. Examples include quetiapine, (Abilify) and aripiprazole (Risperdal). These drugs reduce anxiety in people with obsessive compulsive disorder. They are typically prescribed in conjunction with an antidepressant. They also have a lower chance of serious adverse effects than other kinds of antipsychotics.
Beta-blockers can also be prescribed to treat anxiety, and heart problems. Examples include propranolol (Inderal) and atenolol (Tenormin). They can reduce physical symptoms of anxiety in those with social anxiety disorder. They can also aid in reducing anxiety prior to or after surgery and for certain chronic pain issues. The benzodiazepines, including lorazepam or Ativan (Ativan) are able to be used when other medications do not work. The use of benzodiazepines can become addictive and can be habit-forming.
SNRIs
SNRIs are a different kind of antidepressant medication that is often prescribed to combat anxiety. They function similarly to SSRIs however, they increase the availability of serotonin and norepinephrine within the brain. In turn, they are often more effective at treating certain kinds of anxiety disorders, including social anxiety disorder and panic disorder. Like other medications, they are most effective when they are used in conjunction with therapy for talk and other treatment strategies.
In contrast to other benzodiazepines, SNRIs aren't able to create dependence or addiction in most people. However, some patients may feel withdrawal symptoms when stopping the medication after a long duration of use. This is why it is important to speak with your doctor prior to stopping any medication.
Serotonin and norepinephrine are neurotransmitters responsible for stress and mood responses. Particularly, they play a key role in the fight-or-flight response that a lot of people suffering from anxiety experience. By preventing the reuptake process, SNRIs stop nerve cells from quickly absorbing these neurotransmitters. They keep these chemicals in the body for longer and can improve mood, reduce anxiety, and even ease anxiety attacks.
Norepinephrine is also essential for anxiety because it activates the amygdala which is a nebulous and primal part of the brain that is associated with fear-related behaviors. SNRIs reduce the activity in this region of the brain. This can boost mood, anxiety and even alleviate panic attacks.
These drugs are extremely beneficial however, they may cause suicidal thoughts in some people. Due to this, they are typically prescribed at higher dosages and for a shorter time. Additionally, these drugs may interact with other medications and substances. If you're taking any other prescription or over-the counter medications, be sure to discuss this with your physician and keep them updated on any medical conditions that you may have, especially heart problems and bleeding-related diseases. Be aware that certain patients have reported adverse reactions to SNRIs like nausea and dry mouth.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines, or benzos as they are commonly called are drugs that act quickly and reduce anxiety and other anxiety-related symptoms, including muscle tension and insomnia. They can be beneficial for sufferers of anxiety disorders, like panic disorder and social anxiety particularly when other treatments, such as SSRIs or psychotherapy (talk therapy) do not work. They can also be used as a temporary solution until you can wait for your antidepressant medication to kick in. Medications such as diazepam (Valium) and lorazepam (Ativan) are the most commonly used benzos, but others include Clonazepam (Rivotril), temazepam (Restoril) and flurazepam (Dalmane).
They usually begin to work within 30 minutes because they're rapid-acting. These drugs don't last long in the body, which is why it is essential to take them regularly to get the benefits. Benzos taken for long periods of time could cause addiction and physical dependence therefore they should only be used for the shortest time possible. Benzos should not be used by people with depression or anxiety disorders as they may increase the risk.
People who take benzos for a long period of time, often without medical supervision, can develop a condition known as sedative-use disorder, which includes addiction and withdrawal symptoms. This problem is rare in people who take benzos according to prescription. Benzo abuse usually stems from other factors like alcoholism or depression.
Taking benzodiazepines for the long-term may also lead to tolerance to their sedating effects. Tolerance means that you require more medication in order to achieve the same effects. In some instances it can result in respiratory depression, coma and death. It is crucial to take benzodiazepines as prescribed for long-term basis.
Other Medications
SSRIs and SNRIs are the first medications doctors will usually prescribe for anxiety. They affect serotonin, which influences mood as well as appetite and sleep. They can take up to 12 weeks to begin working and may have side effects such as nausea or insomnia. SSRIs are also used to treat mental disorders like depression, panic disorder, and obsessive compulsive disorder. Contrary to benzodiazepines, antidepressants do not cause physical dependence but they may trigger withdrawal symptoms when abruptly cut off.
The medications in this class are sertraline (Zoloft), fluoroquinol (Prozac) and citalopram (Celexa). They can be taken as a stand-alone treatment or in combination with therapy. Antidepressants can be prescribed by a psychologist, psychiatrist or family physician who has specialized training in the field of medication management.
Doctors may prescribe a class of monoamine-oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) as an antidepressant. They block the actions of certain enzymes which break down chemicals like serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. MAOIs can take three or four weeks to work but aren't as fast-acting as SSRIs.
Clonidine is a different medication that can be used to treat anxiety. It is often used to treat anxiety but it is also utilized to control blood pressure. Its effectiveness is limited because of negative effects such as hypotension and sedation. Antihistamines, such as hydroxyzine, can be prescribed by doctors to decrease anxiety and panic attacks. Certain patients might also notice a decrease in the effectiveness of benzodiazepines.
Anxiety is often treated with a combination of psychotherapy exercise and medication. The most effective approach is to work with an expert therapist who is skilled in treating anxiety disorders. They can assist you in identifying the root causes of your anxiety, and suggest strategies to manage it, without medication if necessary. Other options for anxiety treatment that don't require medication include eye movement desensitization, mindfulness meditation, and yoga that is trauma-informed. Talk to your therapist about how to determine the most effective options for you. Psychologists are trained to assess your medical history, symptoms and create an appropriate treatment plan for anxiety that is right for you. When creating the plan, they take into account your medical diagnosis, lifestyle, medical background, and personal preferences. They may also make adjustments over time.