Who's The Top Expert In The World On Meds To Treat Anxiety? Medications to Treat Anxiety

Therapy is the most effective treatment for anxiety, sometimes taking a short course of medicine is required. Antidepressants and tranquilizers are among the medications that can be used to combat anxiety.

SSRI antidepressants, such as citalopram (Celexa), the escitalopram (Lexapro) and sertraline (Zoloft) enhance communication between nerve cells within the brain and reduce anxiety. SNRIs that target the chemical serotonin as well as norepinephrine could be effective.

SSRIs

SSRIs are the first class of medication doctors prescribe to treat anxiety disorders. They block the brain's nerve cells from absorbing serotonin a chemical which plays a vital function in the regulation of mood. It takes time for the medication to be effective however, people typically begin to feel better after about 4 to six weeks. drugs to treat anxiety are not habit-forming and do not cause addiction, so they can be taken for extended periods of time.

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

Doctors aren't certain of the exact way SSRIs and SNRIs work however, they do know that they enhance activity of certain chemical messengers within the brain, referred to as neurotransmitters. They stop the brain from absorbing chemicals and allow these substances to interact with 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 bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder, but this is not as common.

People suffering from anxiety who do not respond to SSRIs could be prescribed an antipsychotic atypical medication. Examples include quetiapine, (Abilify), and aripiprazole (Risperdal). These drugs relieve anxiety in people with obsessive-compulsive disorders. They are often given together with an antidepressant, and they have a lower risk of serious side effects compared to other types of antipsychotics.

Beta-blockers are also used to treat anxiety and heart problems. Examples include propranolol (Inderal) and atenolol (Tenormin). They can help reduce the physical symptoms of anxiety, specifically for those suffering from social anxiety disorder. They can also aid in reducing anxiety prior to or after surgery and for certain chronic pain conditions. The benzodiazepines, including lorazepam or Ativan (Ativan) can be utilized when other treatments do not work. Benzodiazepines can be addictive and can be habit-forming.

SNRIs

SNRIs are a different kind of antidepressant medications often prescribed to treat anxiety. They work similarly to SSRIs, but they also increase the availability of serotonin and norepinephrine within the brain. They are therefore more efficient in treating certain anxiety disorders like anxiety and social anxiety disorders. panic disorder. Like other medications, they are most effective when they are combined with talking therapy and other treatment strategies.

In contrast to benzodiazepines, SNRIs do not cause dependence or addiction for most people. However, some patients might be prone to withdrawal after stopping the medication after a lengthy period of use. Due to this, it is essential to speak with your doctor before stopping any medication.

Neurotransmitters such as serotonin and norepinephrine regulate stress and mood. They play a key part in the fight or flight response that a lot of sufferers of anxiety feel. The SNRIs hinder nerve cells from quickly mopping up these neurotransmitters by blocking the process of reuptake. They keep these chemicals in the body for longer, and can improve mood, reduce anxiety, and even ease panic attacks.

Norepinephrine is also crucial 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. It has been demonstrated that SNRIs reduce activity in this area of the brain, which could positively impact anxiety and mood as well as ease anxiety attacks.

Although these drugs are extremely beneficial but it is important to keep in mind that they can carry a risk of increased suicidal thoughts for some people. Because of this, they are often only prescribed in higher doses for a brief period. Additionally, these drugs can interact with several 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 underlying medical conditions you suffer from particularly heart issues and bleeding disorders. Also, be aware that some patients have reported adverse reactions to SNRIs like dry mouth and nausea.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines, or benzos as they are often referred to are drugs that act quickly and reduce anxiety and anxiety related symptoms, including tension in the muscles and insomnia. They are useful in some sufferers of anxiety disorders, like panic disorder and social anxiety particularly when other treatments, such as SSRIs or psychotherapy (talk therapy), don't work. They can also be helpful as a temporary solution, for example, while you are waiting for an antidepressant to start working. Benzos include diazepam, lorazepam as well as temazepam and flurazepam.

Because they're fast-acting, they usually begin to work within 30 minutes. These medications don't last very long in the body, therefore you should take them on a regular basis to reap the benefits. Utilizing benzos for prolonged periods of time can result in physical dependence and addiction therefore they should only be used for the shortest time possible. Benzos should not be used by those suffering from anxiety or depression disorders since they can increase the risk.

People who take benzos for a long period of duration, often without medical supervision, could develop a condition called sedative-use disorder, which includes addiction and withdrawal symptoms. This is a rare issue for people who take benzos as prescribed. Misuse of benzos usually results from other factors, such as alcoholism and depression.

Utilizing benzodiazepines in the long term can also cause tolerance to their effects of sedation. Tolerance means that you require more medication to get the same results. In some cases this could lead to respiratory depression, coma and death. It is important to take benzodiazepines in the prescribed dosage, even on a long-term basis.

Other Medicines

SSRIs and SNRIs are the primary medications doctors typically prescribe to treat anxiety. They alter serotonin which is responsible for the mood, sleep, appetite and appetite. They may take a long time to take effect, up to 12 weeks, and may cause certain side effects, such as insomnia or nausea. SSRIs are also used to treat mental health disorders like depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and panic disorder. In contrast to benzodiazepines they don't create physical dependence, but they can cause withdrawal symptoms when abruptly cut off.

The medicines in this class include sertraline (Zoloft), fluoxetine (Prozac) and citalopram (Celexa). They can be used as a single drug or in combination with therapy. Antidepressants are prescribed by psychologists, psychiatrists or family doctors with specialized training in the management of medications.

Doctors can prescribe a class of monoamine-oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) as an antidepressant. They block the actions of certain enzymes that break down chemicals like serotonin and norepinephrine, and dopamine. MAOIs may take three or four weeks to work but they're not as fast-acting as SSRIs.


Clonidine is a different medication that can be used to manage anxiety. It is typically used to treat anxiety, but is also utilized to control blood pressure. Its effectiveness is limited due to adverse effects like hypotension and sedation. Antihistamines, such as hydroxyzine, can be prescribed by doctors to reduce anxiety and panic attacks. They may also decrease the effectiveness of benzodiazepines in certain patients.

Anxiety is typically treated with a combination of psychotherapy, exercise and medication. Working with a therapist that specializes in anxiety disorders is the most effective way to treat anxiety. They can assist you in identifying the root cause of your anxiety, and suggest strategies to manage it, without medication, if needed. Other options for treating anxiety that are not medications include eye movement desensitization mindfulness meditation, reprocessing, and trauma-informed yoga. Talk with your therapist about what options are the best for you. Psychiatrists have the training to evaluate your symptoms, medical history, and develop an appropriate treatment plan for anxiety that is appropriate for you. They will consider your individual medical history and preferences when preparing this plan, and will make changes to it as they go along.