The Reason Behind Treat Anxiety Is The Most Sought-After Topic In 2023

Meds That Treat Anxiety

Anxiety affects 40 million people in the United States. It's highly treatable, with various types of medication available.

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 aren't addictive, unlike benzodiazepines.

SSRIs

The most commonly used anxiety medications are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) which include citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro) and fluoxetine (Prozac). These medications can also be used to treat depression and alleviate symptoms of other anxiety disorders such as obsessive compulsive disorder. They can take up to a month before they start working.

They work by increasing the amount of certain chemical transmitters in the brain. This includes serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. These are typically the first choice for treating anxiety, although doctors may prescribe other forms of antidepressants, also known as benzodiazepines.

Antidepressants, such as duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine, (Effexor) are also used to treat anxiety. They work a little differently than SSRIs because they reduce the reabsorption of norepinephrine as well as serotonin, but at lower levels than SSRIs. These medicines can take a while to take effects, and they tend to be more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) like imipramine (Tofranil) can be effective in treating some anxiety disorders, particularly GAD. However their drowsiness and other side effects make them less popular. Another form of antidepressant is monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs) can be used to treat anxiety. However, their strict dietary restrictions and the high risk of toxicity limit their usage.

Benzodiazepines are often used to combat anxiety and panic attacks in the short-term like when you wait for SSRIs or SNRIs to kick in. These medications can cause tolerance, sedation and addiction, and withdrawal reactions that may cause anxiety, depression and even delirium. Benzodiazepines are commonly found in alprazolam as well as clonazepam and lorazepam.

Therapy is an essential part of any treatment plan for anxiety. It helps you to better know your symptoms and their root causes. Many people find that medication and therapy help them to cope. Certain studies have proven that cognitive behavioral therapy is as effective as medication for anxiety. Talk with your doctor about your options and determine what could be the best choice for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines have a calming affect that reduces anxiety and relaxes tense muscle. They also relieve symptoms of fear-related bodily stimulation (like heart racing or trembling), and promote sleep.

They work by binding to inhibitory neurons, like GABA or gamma aminobutryic acid and bind to receptors in the central nervous system. They increase the effects of GABA by facilitating the inhibitory effects of GABA on other neurotransmitters, and by reducing the volume of messages sent to amygdala. This is a region of the brain that evaluates threats and creates a sense of anxiety.

These medications are sometimes taken for short durations like panic attacks or an anxiety episodes. They can relieve symptoms within 30 to 60 minutes. Benzodiazepines are different from SSRIs aren't able to remain in the body for a long time. They're fast-acting and can work in a matter of hours. This makes them ideal for situations when rapid relief is required (such as during an airplane ride or prior to presenting in public).

They can be addictive, so people are generally only prescribed them for a maximum of 4 weeks at one time. After that time they also lose their effectiveness.

One of the reasons why benzodiazepines were so popular was that they worked and had minimal side effects when compared with their predecessors, such as barbiturates or meprobamate. They have a rapid start of action and are very useful as anxiolytics (anti-anxiety), sedatives, anticonvulsants, as well as for muscle relaxants.

Benzos were blamed for the negative attitudes towards anxiety that were developed in the 1970s and 1980s, including the minimization of the disorder, as well as the perception that benzodiazepine treatments result in physical dependence. However, they continue to play an important role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, specifically in combination with psychosocial interventions like cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy.

Benzos may interact with other medications and cause undesirable side effects, such as drowsiness and confusion. It is important to inform your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription or herbal medications that you currently take or are planning to take. Check the British National Formulary A to Z list of medication interactions to find out which medications are safe when taken with benzodiazepines.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants can ease anxiety and other mental health issues. 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 several antidepressants to treat other health ailments, too, such as eating disorders, some types of pain, and bipolar disorder.

The majority of doctors prescribe SSRIs as a first-line treatment for anxiety, however these medications might not be suitable for all people. If these antidepressants don't work the doctor might suggest an older version called a tetracyclic or tricyclic antidepressant. They include amitriptyline, nortriptyline, as well as Clomipramine. These antidepressants are less common but still accessible. Your doctor may also prescribe the sedating antidepressant Trazodone (Desyrel) at lower doses to treat anxiety or insomnia.

Other antidepressants that can help are the nefazodone (Ferdinand) and duloxetine (Cymbalta). They're also available in generic forms. If they don't help, your doctor may try the antipsychotics quetiapine and Olanzapine or the sedative antidepressant Mirtazapine.

Beta blockers are used to treat other anxiety disorders. They reduce blood pressure and heart rate by blocking adrenaline. These drugs aren't usually used to treat anxiety on their own, but can be helpful when paired with psychotherapy.

Psychological therapy can help you to change negative thoughts and behaviours that cause anxiety.  how to treat anxiety  can help you control your anxiety and learn coping skills. Based on your specific condition, you might receive exposure or cognitive behavioural therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps you to challenge negative and fearful thoughts and overcome your avoidance of situations which trigger anxiety. Exposure therapy is the process of increasing the level of anxiety provoking situations until they become manageable. It can be done either in a group, or by yourself. In both instances it takes time to achieve results. A combination of medication and psychological therapy is the best choice for certain people. Some people find that medication alone is sufficient to control their symptoms. It's important to tell your doctor what you're doing to control your symptoms.

Other Medical Treatments

While benzodiazepines and antidepressants are the most frequently prescribed treatments for anxiety, other drugs can ease your symptoms as well. Antihistamines, beta blockers, and buspirone are all sometimes prescribed to reduce anxiety.

These drugs can correct an imbalance in your brain's chemical balance and can help alleviate your symptoms by reducing or blocking the signals that can cause anxiety and stress. However, they'ren't a cure all. You will still need to do things to control anxiety, like physical exercise, relaxation techniques and psychological therapy.

Your doctor may first prescribe one of the "first choice" anxiety medications, which include SSRIs and SNRIs. According to research, these drugs are the most effective for treating anxiety disorders. The most commonly used SSRIs include sertraline (Zoloft), the fluoxetine (Prozac), citalopram (Celexa), and escitalopram (Lexapro). These medications can cause minor side effects, such as insomnia and nausea, but they usually disappear within 4-8 weeks. Unlike the benzodiazepines, they're not addictive and do not increase your risk of having suicidal thoughts.

The benzodiazepines, alprazolam (Xanax) and clonazepam (Klonopin), and diazepoxide (Valium) offer immediate relief for anxiety and panic attacks, but they can have side effects, including dizziness, drowsiness, memory and coordination problems, and dependence. These drugs are less popular than older barbiturates, however they are equally effective.

Antihistamines, such as Vistaril (hydroxyzine), were developed to relieve allergies however, they're also used to ease anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine may have a relaxing effect because it blocks histamine receptors. It is not a controlled drug and therefore does not carry the same risks of addiction as benzodiazepines.

Anticonvulsants are a different kind of medication that can help with anxiety. They have been proven to decrease anxiety by blocking the production and release of dopamine as well as sérotonin. They can be prescribed in conjunction with other drugs or as a temporary treatment for anxiety. Your doctor will review your medical history and symptoms to determine if these drugs are appropriate for you. They'll also discuss how long you should take them for and any potential negative side effects. Anxiety medications are only available on prescription, which means you'll have to see a psychiatrist to get these medications.