10 Quick Tips For Meds To Treat Anxiety Medications to Treat Anxiety

Therapy is the most effective treatment for anxiety, there are times when a short course of medication is necessary. Antidepressants and tranquilizers are among the drugs that can be used to treat anxiety.

SSRI antidepressants such as citalopram, sertraline, and escitalopram can reduce anxiety. SNRIs that target the chemicals serotonin and norepinephrine can also be effective.

SSRIs

SSRIs are often the first prescription medication recommended by doctors to treat anxiety disorders. They block nerve cells in the brain from absorbing serotonin a chemical that plays a key role in mood regulation. It takes some time for the medication to take effect however, people typically start to feel better after 4 to 6 weeks. SSRIs do not form a habit and aren't addictive, which is why they can be taken for a long time.

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

Doctors aren't certain of the exact way SSRIs and SNRIs function however they do know that they enhance activity of certain chemical messengers within the brain, called neurotransmitters. They prevent the brain from reabsorbing chemicals and allow these chemicals 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 can also be helpful with bulimia, but it is less prevalent.

Atypical antipsychotic medications can be prescribed to those suffering from anxiety who aren't responding to SSRIs. Examples include quetiapine (Abilify) and aripiprazole (Risperdal). These medications ease anxiety in those suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorders. They are usually prescribed in conjunction with an antidepressant and have a lower chance of serious side effects than other types of antipsychotics.

Beta-blockers can also be prescribed to treat anxiety and heart conditions. Examples are propranolol (Inderal) and atenolol (Tenormin). They can help reduce the physical symptoms of anxiety, specifically for people with social anxiety disorder. They can also aid in reducing anxiety prior to or following surgery and also for some chronic pain conditions. Benzodiazepines, such as lorazepam and Ativan (Ativan) can be used when other medications don't work. They can be addictive and habit-forming.

SNRIs

SNRIs are an antidepressant medication that is often prescribed to combat anxiety. They work similarly to SSRIs, but they also increase the amount of serotonin and norepinephrine within the brain. In turn, they are typically more effective in treating certain types of anxiety disorders, such as panic disorder and social anxiety disorder. These medications work best in conjunction with other treatments and therapy.

Unlike benzodiazepines SNRIs don't cause dependence or addiction for most people. However, some patients might feel withdrawal symptoms when stopping the medication after a long period of use. Due to this, it is essential to speak with your physician prior to stopping any medication.

Serotonin and norepinephrine, two neurotransmitters, are responsible for stress and mood responses. Particularly, they play a significant part in the fight or flight response that a large portion of people suffering from anxiety experience. SNRIs stop nerve cells from rapidly soaking up these neurotransmitters by blocking the process of reuptake. They keep these chemicals in the body for longer, and can boost mood, decrease anxiety, and even help with panic attacks.

Norepinephrine is also crucial in anxiety due to its ability to activate the amygdala, a deep and primordial part of the brain that is associated with fear-related behaviors. SNRIs reduce the activity of this area of the brain. This can boost mood, anxiety and even reduce panic attacks.

Although these drugs can be extremely beneficial however, it is important to keep in mind that they carry a risk of increased suicidal thoughts for some people. Due to this, they're usually prescribed in higher doses and for a shorter period of time. In addition, these medications are able to interact with other medications and other substances. If you are taking any other prescription or non-prescription medication, make sure to discuss this with your doctor and keep them updated on any medical conditions that you may have including heart problems and bleeding diseases. Be aware that some patients experience adverse reactions to SNRIs such as nausea and a dry mouth.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines, or benzos as they are often referred to, are quick-acting drugs that reduce anxiety and other anxiety-related symptoms, such a muscle tension and insomnia. They can be helpful for sufferers of anxiety disorders, such as panic disorder and social anxiety particularly when other treatments, like SSRIs or psychotherapy (talk therapy) aren't working. They are also a good short-term solution, like while you wait for an antidepressant begin working. Medications such as diazepam (Valium) and lorazepam (Ativan) are the most popular benzos, however others include Clonazepam (Rivotril), temazepam (Restoril) and flurazepam (Dalmane).

They typically begin working within 30 minutes due to the fact that they are quick-acting. These medications don't last very long in the body, which is why it is essential to take them regularly to reap the benefits. Benzos shouldn't be used for prolonged periods of time as they can trigger physical dependence and addiction. Benzos are not recommended for people with anxiety disorders or depression because they may increase the risk of these issues.


Benzo users who take them for an extended period of time with no medical supervision and often without the direction of a physician, may develop a condition known as sedative-use disorders, which include withdrawal symptoms and addiction. This problem is rare in people who take benzos on prescription. Benzo addiction usually arises from other factors such as alcoholism or depression.

Taking benzodiazepines for the long-term may also lead to tolerance to their effects on sedation. As you get used to them, it takes more and more of the medication to produce the same effect. This can sometimes lead to respiratory depression or even 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 first drugs prescribed by doctors to treat anxiety. They affect serotonin which is responsible for mood, sleep, appetite and appetite. They can be slow to show results, up to 12 weeks, and can cause some side effects like nausea or insomnia. SSRIs are also used to treat mental disorders like panic disorder, depression, and obsessive compulsive disorder. Unlike benzodiazepines, antidepressants don't create physical dependence, but they may trigger withdrawal symptoms if abruptly discontinued.

Medications in this class include sertraline (Zoloft) as well as fluoxetine (Prozac) and citalopram (Celexa). They can be used as a single drug or in conjunction with therapy. Antidepressants are prescribed by psychiatrists, psychologists or family doctors with specialized expertise in the field of medication management.

Doctors can prescribe a specific class of antidepressants referred to as monoamine oxidase inhibitors or MAOIs. They block the actions of enzymes that break chemicals down, such as serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. MAOIs can take up to three or four weeks to take effect however they aren't as quick-acting as SSRIs.

natural remedies to treat anxiety that can help manage anxiety is clonidine. It is used to control high blood pressure. However, it has limited effectiveness in treating anxiety. Its effectiveness is limited due to side effects like hypotension and sedation. Antihistamines such as hydroxyzine can be prescribed by doctors to decrease anxiety and panic attacks. They can also reduce the effectiveness of benzodiazepines for certain patients.

Anxiety is usually treated by the combination of medication, psychotherapy and exercise. Engaging with a therapist who specializes in anxiety disorders is the most effective method to treat anxiety. They can help you work through the root causes of anxiety and suggest strategies to manage it without medication, if necessary. Other options for treating anxiety that aren't medications include eye movement desensitization, mindfulness meditation, reprocessing, and trauma-informed yoga. Speak to your therapist to determine the most effective options for you. Psychiatrists are trained to evaluate your symptoms and medical history and create a treatment plan that is suited to you. They will consider your individual diagnosis, lifestyle, medical history and preferences when preparing this plan and make adjustments as needed.