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The People Closest To Meds To Treat Anxiety Uncover Big Secrets
Medications to Treat Anxiety

Therapy is the best way to treat anxiety, but sometimes, a short-term course of medication is required. The medications used to treat anxiety include tranquilizers and antidepressants.

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

SSRIs

SSRIs are typically the first medication prescribed by doctors to treat anxiety disorders. They stop neurons in the brain from reabsorbing serotonin, a chemical which plays a vital role in mood regulation. The drugs take a while to take effect, but the majority of people feel better within 4 to 6 weeks. SSRIs are non-habit-forming and do not cause addiction, so they are safe to use for long durations of time.

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

Doctors do not know how SNRIs or SSRIs work but they do are aware that they enhance the activity of certain chemical messengers called neurotransmitters within the brain. They stop the brain from reabsorbing these chemicals and allow them to bind to 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 help with bulimia, but it is less common.

Atypical antipsychotic medications can be prescribed to patients with anxiety who don't respond to SSRIs. Examples include quetiapine (Abilify), and aripiprazole (Risperdal). These drugs relieve anxiety in those suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorders. They are usually given together with an antidepressant. They have a lower risk of serious adverse reactions than other forms of antipsychotics.

Beta-blockers are also prescribed to treat anxiety, and heart problems. Examples include propranolol (Inderal) and atenolol (Tenormin). They can ease physical symptoms of anxiety in people with social anxiety disorder. They can be useful in reducing anxiety, especially before or after surgery. The benzodiazepines, such as lorazepam (Ativan) can be used to treat symptoms when other medication aren't working. The use of benzodiazepines can become addictive and habit-forming.

SNRIs

SNRIs are another type of antidepressant medications that are often prescribed to combat anxiety. They work in a similar way to SSRIs however, they increase the amount of norepinephrine and serotonin in the brain. They are therefore more effective in treating specific anxiety disorders like social anxiety disorder and anxiety panic disorder. Like other medications, these work best when they are combined with talking therapy and other treatment strategies.


Unlike the benzodiazepines, SNRIs don't create dependence or addiction for the majority of people. Some patients might experience withdrawal symptoms after discontinuing a medication after a prolonged period 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 mood and stress responses. They play a key role in the fight or flight response that a lot of anxiety sufferers experience. The SNRIs hinder nerve cells from rapidly mopping up these neurotransmitters, by preventing the process of reuptake. They keep these chemicals in the body for longer periods of time and can improve mood, reduce anxiety, and even ease anxiety attacks.

Norepinephrine is also important in anxiety due to its ability to activate the amygdala, a deep and primal part of the brain that is linked with fear-related behavior. SNRIs can reduce activity in this part of the brain. This can improve mood, anxiety, and even help with panic attacks.

While these medications can be extremely beneficial however, it is important to keep in mind that they do come with a risk of increasing suicidal ideas in certain individuals. This is why they are typically prescribed in higher doses for a brief time. These medications can also interact with other drugs and substances. It is important to inform your doctor if you are taking any other prescriptions or over the generic medication. Also be sure to inform them of any medical conditions that may be underlying, such as heart problems and bleeding disorders. Be aware that some patients report adverse reactions to SNRIs such as nausea and a dry mouth.

Benzodiazepines

Benzos, also known as benzodiazepines or benzos, as they're commonly referred to -- are medications that act quickly that reduce anxiety and anxiety-related symptoms such as muscle tension and insomnia. Certain people suffering from anxiety disorders like panic disorder or social anxiety might find them beneficial particularly if they've not responded to other treatments, such as SSRIs and psychotherapy. They are also a good short-term solution, like while you wait 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), temazepam (Restoril) and flurazepam (Dalmane).

They usually start working within 30 minutes because they're fast-acting. These drugs don't last very long in the body, so you must take them regularly to benefit from their effects. Benzos taken for long periods of time can cause addiction and physical dependence therefore they should only be used for the shortest time possible. Benzos should not be taken by those suffering from anxiety or depression as they can increase the risk.

People who take benzos for an extended period of time, without medical supervision and often without the guidance of a doctor, could develop a condition called sedative-use disorders, which can include withdrawal symptoms and addiction. It is uncommon for people who are prescribed benzos to develop this condition, however. Benzo addiction usually arises from other causes like alcoholism or depression.

Taking benzodiazepines for the long-term can cause tolerance to their sedating effects. If you develop tolerance, it takes more and more of the medication to achieve the same effect. In certain cases this could lead to respiratory depression, coma and death. Even if you are taking benzodiazepines for a long duration, it is crucial to follow the prescription.

Other Medical Treatments

SSRIs and SNRIs will be the first medications that doctors prescribe to treat anxiety. They affect serotonin which affects mood sleep, appetite, and appetite. They can be slow to begin effect, ranging from to 12 weeks, and have some side effects like insomnia or nausea. SSRIs are also used to treat mental disorders like panic disorder, depression, and obsessive compulsive disorder. Antidepressants, unlike benzodiazepines, do not cause physical dependence. However, they may cause withdrawal symptoms when abruptly stopped.

anxiety treatment natural in this class include sertraline (Zoloft), the fluoxetine (Prozac) and citalopram (Celexa). They can be used as a stand-alone treatment or in conjunction with therapy. Antidepressants are prescribed by psychiatrists, psychologists or family doctors with specialized training in medication management.

Doctors can prescribe a class called 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 take effect but they're not 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 is also used to lower blood pressure. Its effectiveness is limited due to negative side effects, such as hypotension and sedation. Doctors may prescribe antihistamines such as hydroxyzine to reduce symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks. They also can reduce the effectiveness of benzodiazepines in certain patients.

The treatment for anxiety is usually the combination of medication, psychotherapy and exercise. A therapist who specializes in anxiety disorders is the most effective way to treat anxiety. They can help you identify the root cause of your anxiety, and suggest strategies to manage it without medication, if needed. Other options for anxiety treatment that do not involve 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. Psychiatrists are trained to analyze your medical history and symptoms and develop an anxiety treatment plan that works for you. When preparing the plan, they consider your medical diagnosis, lifestyle, medical background, and preferences. They may also make adjustments over time.