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Medications to Treat Anxiety While therapy is the best treatment for anxiety, sometimes an infrequent course of medication is necessary. Medications to treat anxiety include antidepressants and tranquilizers. SSRI antidepressants like citalopram, sertraline, and escitalopram are able to reduce anxiety. SNRIs that target the chemical serotonin and norepinephrine may also be effective. SSRIs SSRIs are typically the first prescription medication recommended by doctors to treat anxiety disorders. They stop neurons in the brain from reabsorbing serotonin, which is a chemical that plays a key role in mood regulation. It takes a while for the medication to begin working however, people typically begin feeling better after 4 to 6 weeks. SSRIs do not develop an addiction and are not addictive, so they can continue to be used for a lengthy duration. 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 such as imipramine (Tofranil) and Doxepine (Anxiety Disorder Stimulant) also treat depression and anxiety. Mirtazapine, an antidepressant that is novel is often used to treat anxiety disorders. Doctors don't know exactly how SSRIs and SNRIs function however, they do know that they boost activity of certain chemical messengers within the brain, referred to as neurotransmitters. They prevent the brain from absorbing chemicals and allow these chemicals to bind to 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 medications can be prescribed to patients with anxiety who aren't responding to SSRIs. Examples include quetiapine (Abilify) and aripiprazole (Risperdal). These medications reduce anxiety in people with obsessive compulsive disorder. They are typically prescribed in conjunction with an antidepressant. they are less likely for serious side effects when compared to other antipsychotics. Beta-blockers, also known as beta-blockers, can be used to treat anxiety and are often prescribed for heart problems. Examples include propranolol (Inderal) and atenolol (Tenormin). They can reduce physical symptoms of anxiety in people with social anxiety disorder. They can be helpful in reducing anxiety, specifically during or following surgery. Benzodiazepines like lorazepam (Ativan) can be used to control symptoms when other medications aren't working. Benzodiazepines can be habit-forming and addictive. SNRIs SNRIs are an antidepressant medication that is often prescribed to treat anxiety. They work in a similar way similar to SSRIs however they also boost the amount of norepinephrine and serotonin. This means that they are often more effective at treating certain types of anxiety disorders. This includes panic disorder and social anxiety disorder. They are most effective when combined with other treatment strategies and therapy. Unlike benzodiazepines SNRIs don't cause dependence or addiction in the majority of people. However, some patients could be prone to withdrawal after stopping the medication after a long period of use. 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. They play a crucial role in the fight or flight response that a lot of anxiety sufferers experience. SNRIs prevent nerve cells from rapidly mopping up these neurotransmitters, by preventing the process of reuptake. By doing so they hold these chemicals in the brain longer and as a consequence they have the potential to improve mood and reduce anxiety levels or help alleviate symptoms of panic attacks. Norepinephrine is also important in anxiety due to its ability to activate the amygdala which is a nebulous and fundamental part of the brain associated with fear-related behaviour. SNRIs reduce the activity of this area of the brain. This can improve mood, anxiety and alleviate panic attacks. While these medications can be extremely beneficial, it is important to keep in mind that they can carry a risk of increased suicidal thoughts for some people. Due to this, they are typically prescribed at higher dosages and for a shorter time. Additionally, these drugs are able to interact with other medications and substances. If you are on 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-related diseases. Be aware that some patients experience adverse reactions to SNRIs like dry mouth and nausea. Benzodiazepines Benzodiazepines — or benzos or benzos, as they're commonly referred to are fast-acting drugs that can help ease anxiety and anxiety-related symptoms such as muscle tension and insomnia. They can be helpful for people with anxiety disorders, such as social anxiety and panic disorder particularly when other treatments, like SSRIs or psychotherapy (talk therapy), don't work. They're also helpful as a short-term solution, such as while you are waiting for an antidepressant to begin working. Medications such as diazepam (Valium) and lorazepam (Ativan) are the most commonly used benzos, although others include clonazepam (Rivotril) and temazepam (Restoril) and flurazepam (Dalmane). Because they're fast-acting, they typically start to work within 30 minutes. These drugs don't last very long in the body, therefore you must take them regularly to reap the benefits. Utilizing benzos for prolonged durations of time can lead to addiction and physical dependence, so they should only be used for the most brief period of time. Benzos should not be taken by people with anxiety or depression disorders since they could increase the risk. Benzo users who take them for long periods of time, without medical supervision and often without the direction of a doctor, could develop a condition known as sedative use disorders, which can include withdrawal symptoms and addiction. This problem is rare in those who take benzos on prescription. Benzo addiction usually arises from other causes such as alcoholism or depression. Utilizing anxiety treatment at home in the long-term may also lead to tolerance to their effects of sedation. When you become tolerant, it takes more and more of the medication to achieve the same effect. In some instances it can result in respiratory depression, coma, and death. Even if you are taking benzodiazepines over a long period of time, it is essential to adhere to the prescription. Other Medications SSRIs and SNRIs are the primary medications doctors typically prescribe to treat anxiety. They affect serotonin which is responsible for mood, sleep, appetite and appetite. They can be slow to take effect, up to 12 weeks, and can cause some adverse effects such as insomnia or nausea. SSRIs are also used to treat mental disorders like panic disorder, depression and obsessive compulsive disorder. In contrast to benzodiazepines they don't create physical dependence, but they can trigger withdrawal symptoms if abruptly discontinued. The medications in this class are sertraline (Zoloft), fluoxetine (Prozac) and citalopram (Celexa). They can be used as a single drug or in combination with therapy. Antidepressants are prescribed by psychiatrists, psychologists or family doctors with specialized training in medication management. 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 can take three or four weeks to work but they're not as fast-acting as SSRIs. Clonidine is another medication that can be used to manage anxiety. It is commonly used to treat anxiety but it is also utilized to control blood pressure. Its effectiveness is limited by negative effects such as hypotension and sedation. Doctors may also prescribe antihistamines, like hydroxyzine, to reduce symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks. Certain patients might also experience a reduction in the effectiveness of benzodiazepines. Anxiety is usually treated by using medication, psychotherapy and exercise. The most effective approach is working with an expert therapist who is skilled in treating anxiety disorders. They can assist you in working through the root causes of your anxiety and recommend strategies to manage it without medication, if needed. Other options for treating anxiety that are not medications include eye movement desensitization reprocessing, mindfulness meditation and yoga based on trauma. Talk to your therapist to determine the best options for you. Psychiatrists are trained to evaluate your symptoms and medical history and develop an anxiety treatment plan that is suitable for you. When preparing the plan, they take into consideration your medical diagnosis, lifestyle, medical background, and preferences. They may also make adjustments as time passes.