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A Brief History Of Treat Anxiety In 10 Milestones
Meds That Treat Anxiety

Anxiety is among the most frequent mental health conditions, affecting 40 million adults in the United States. It's extremely treatable with numerous medications 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. Contrary to benzodiazepines they're not addictive.

SSRIs

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

These drugs work by boosting the production of certain chemical messengers in the brain, such as serotonin and norepinephrine. They're typically the first treatment option for anxiety, but doctors also use other types of antidepressants as well as benzodiazepines.

Another class of antidepressants called serotonin and norepinephrine receptor inhibitors (SNRIs) such as duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor) are used to treat anxiety. They are a bit different from SSRIs since they reduce norepinephrine, but at a lower degree than SSRIs. These medications take a lengthy time to take effect and are more expensive than SSRIs.

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) such as imipramine (Tofranil), can be effective in treating certain anxiety disorders, notably GAD. However their drowsiness as well as other adverse reactions make them less well-known. Monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs) are another kind of antidepressant used to treat anxiety. However, their restrictions on diet and high risk of toxicity limit their use.

Benzodiazepines can be used to combat panic attacks and anxiety in the short-term while waiting for SSRIs and SNRIs. These medications can cause tolerance and addiction, sedation and apathy and withdrawal reactions that include rebound depression, anxiety, and even delirium. Benzodiazepines are typically found in alprazolam as well as clonazepam and lorazepam.

Therapy is a vital part of any treatment plan for anxiety. It helps you to better know your symptoms and their root causes. Many people discover that both therapy and medication help to manage anxiety. Certain studies have proven that cognitive behavioral therapy is as effective as medications for anxiety. Talk with your doctor about your options and which might be best for you.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines have an calming effect, reduce anxiety and relax muscles that are tense. They also alleviate symptoms of bodily stimulation related to fear (like heart rate, trembling or shaking) and help promote sleep.

The way they work is through binding to inhibitory neurotransmitters, like gamma-aminobutryic acid, or GABA which is a receptor in the central nervous system. They increase the effects of GABA by facilitating its inhibitory effect on other neurotransmitters and decreasing the number of messages sent to the amygdala, which is the brain's region that detects threats and creates the feeling of fear.

These medicines are often taken for short durations for instance, during an attack of panic or a severe anxiety episode. They can help ease the symptoms within 30 to 90 minutes after taking them. Unlike SSRIs they don't stay in the body for long. They're quick-acting and can work in a matter of hours. This makes them perfect for situations where quick relief is required (such as on an airplane or before giving a presentation in public).

Because they can be addictive, people are usually only prescribed them for a period of up to four weeks at a time. They also lose effectiveness after a certain period of time.

One of the reasons benzodiazepines were so popular was that they worked and had few side effects, when compared to their predecessors like meprobamate or barbiturates. They are efficient and have a rapid start, and can be used as anxiolytics to reduce anxiety. They can also be employed as sedatives, anticonvulsants, and muscle relaxants.

Benzos have been blamed for the negative attitudes toward anxiety that emerged in the 1970s and 1980s. This included the denial of the disorder and the perception that benzodiazepine treatment can lead to physical dependence. However however, benzodiazepines still play a major part in the treatment of anxiety disorders, especially when combined with psychosocial interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy or interpersonal therapies.

Benzos can interact with other medications, causing undesirable side effects, like drowsiness or confusion. You should tell your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription, or herbal medications that you are currently taking or plan to take. Check the British National Formulary A to Z list of medication interactions to find out what medicines are safe to take with benzodiazepines.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants can help ease anxiety and other mental health problems. 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 antidepressants to treat other health conditions, including bipolar disorder, eating disorders, and certain types of pain.

SSRIs are typically prescribed as a first-line treatment of anxiety by doctors, however they may not work for all people. If these antidepressants aren't working, the doctor may try an older form of medication called a tetracyclic or tricyclic antidepressant. This includes amitriptyline, nortriptyline, clomipramine and trimipramine, doxepin and dothiepin or imipramine. They're less popular than the newer antidepressants, but still readily available. Your doctor may prescribe the antidepressant with a sedating effect, trazodone (Desyrel) in lower doses to treat anxiety or insomnia.

Nefazodone, also known as Ferdinand (Cymbalta) and duloxetine are also useful. These drugs are also available in generic forms. If they don't help your doctor, he may suggest the antipsychotics quetiapine and Olanzapine or the sedative antidepressant Mirtazapine.

Beta blockers are used to treat other anxiety disorders. They lower blood pressure and heart rate by blocking adrenaline. These drugs aren't usually used to treat anxiety by themselves however they can be beneficial when paired with psychological therapy.

Psychotherapy can help you change negative thoughts and behavior that contribute towards your anxiety. It can teach you to control your anxiety and learn how to cope. Based on the severity of your condition, exposure therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy may be recommended. Cognitive behavioural therapy helps you develop the ability to confront negative thoughts, fears and the fear of situations that trigger anxiety. The process involves increasing the level of anxiety-inducing situations until they can be managed. It can be done in a group or on your own. In both instances, results take time to appear. A combination of medications and psychological therapy is the best choice for certain people. Some people find that taking medication alone is enough to control symptoms. Tell your doctor how you manage your symptoms.

Other Medical Treatments

While benzodiazepines and antidepressants are the most frequently prescribed treatment for anxiety, other drugs can help ease your symptoms too. Beta blockers and antihistamines are sometimes prescribed to relieve anxiety.

These medications correct an imbalance in your brain's chemical balance and can alleviate your symptoms by reducing or blocking signals that trigger stress and fear. They are not a panacea. You will still require a variety of methods to control anxiety, like exercises relaxation techniques, relaxation techniques and psychotherapy.

Your doctor could first prescribe one of the "first first" anxiety medication, which includes SSRIs and SNRIs. According to research, these drugs are the most effective for treating anxiety disorders . The most commonly used SSRIs include sertraline (Zoloft) as well as the fluoxetine (Prozac) and citalopram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro). These medications may have mild side effects, like insomnia or nausea, however they typically disappear within 4-8 weeks. Contrary to benzodiazepines they're not addictive and don't increase your risk of having suicidal thoughts.

The benzodiazepines such as alprazolam clonazepam, and diazepoxide, (Valium) are a quick relief from panic and anxiety attacks. However, they could cause side effects, such as dizziness and drowsiness. They can also trigger problems with coordination and memory and may even cause dependence. They're a less popular choice over the more traditional barbiturates but are just as effective.

Antihistamines, like Vistaril (hydroxyzine) are created to treat allergies, but they're also sometimes used to ease anxiety symptoms. Hydroxyzine can have a calming effect by blocking the histamine receptors. It's not a controlled drug and therefore doesn't carry the same addiction risks as benzodiazepines.


Another type of medication that can aid with anxiety is a class called anticonvulsants. They've been proven to reduce anxiety by inhibiting the production and release of dopamine and serotonin. These medications may be used as part of an integrated therapy or to treat anxiety in the short-term. Your doctor will examine your medical history and symptoms to determine if these medications are suitable for you. They'll also talk about how long you should take them for and any potential negative side effects. Anxiety medications are only available on prescription, and a psychiatrist will be required to prescribe it.