Medications to Treat Anxiety
Therapy is the best method to reduce anxiety, but sometimes a short-term course of medication is required. Antidepressants and tranquilizers are among the drugs that can be used to combat anxiety.
SSRI antidepressants like citalopram, escitalopram, and sertraline can reduce anxiety. SNRIs, that target serotonin and norepinephrine, can also be effective.
SSRIs
SSRIs are the first class of medication doctors prescribe to treat anxiety disorders. They prevent nerve cell re-absorption of serotonin in the brain, a substance that is vital for the regulation of mood. It takes some time for the medications to take effect, but people usually start to feel better after 4 to six weeks. SSRIs aren't habit-forming and will not cause addiction, so they can be taken for long periods of time.
Another type of antidepressant, SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), also treats depression and anxiety. These SNRIs include citalopram and Escitalopram, fluoxetine (Prozac), paraxetine (Paxil), and sertraline. Tricyclic antidepressants like imipramine (Tofranil) and doxepine (Anxiety Disorder Stimulant) also treat depression and anxiety. New antidepressants like mirtazapine (Remeron) are also used to treat anxiety disorders.
Doctors aren't sure exactly how SSRIs and other SNRIs work however they do know that they enhance activity of certain chemical messengers within the brain, called neurotransmitters. They prevent the brain from absorbing these chemicals, and permit 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 not as common.
People suffering from anxiety who don't respond to SSRIs might be prescribed an atypical antipsychotic medication. Examples include quetiapine (Abilify) and aripiprazole, (Risperdal). These medications reduce anxiety for people suffering from obsessive compulsive disorders. They are typically prescribed together with an antidepressant. They are less likely to cause serious adverse reactions than other forms of antipsychotics.
Beta-blockers, also known as beta-blockers, can be used to reduce anxiety and are commonly prescribed for heart conditions. Examples are propranolol (Inderal) and atenolol (Tenormin). They can reduce physical symptoms of anxiety in those suffering from social anxiety disorders. They can also aid in reducing anxiety before or following surgery and also for certain chronic pain conditions. Benzodiazepines such as lorazepam (Ativan) can be used to manage symptoms when other medicines aren't working. However, benzodiazepines are habit-forming and may be addictive.
SNRIs
SNRIs are another type of antidepressant medication that is often prescribed to combat anxiety. They work in a similar way to SSRIs, but they also increase the availability of norepinephrine and serotonin in the brain. This means that they are usually more effective at treating certain types of anxiety disorders, such as panic disorder and social anxiety disorder. They are most effective when combined with other treatment strategies and therapy.
Contrary to the benzodiazepines, SNRIs don't cause dependence or addiction in the majority of people. However, some patients might be prone to withdrawal after stopping the medication after a lengthy duration of use. It is crucial to talk with your physician prior to stopping any medication.
Neurotransmitters such serotonin as well as norepinephrine regulate stress and mood. They play an important part in the fight or flight response that many sufferers of anxiety feel. SNRIs stop nerve cells from rapidly mopping up these neurotransmitters by blocking the process of reuptake. They help keep these chemicals in the body for longer periods of time and can boost mood, decrease anxiety, and even ease anxiety attacks.
Norepinephrine is also essential in anxiety due to its ability to activate the amygdala, a deep and primordial part of the brain that is associated with fear-related behaviour. SNRIs reduce the activity in this part of the brain. This can improve mood, anxiety and even reduce panic attacks.
Although these drugs can be very beneficial, it is important to remember that they do carry a risk of increased suicidal thoughts in some individuals. Due to this, they are usually prescribed in higher doses and for a shorter duration. These medications may also interact with other drugs and substances. If you are on any other prescription or non-prescription medications, make sure you discuss this with your physician and keep them informed of any medical conditions that you may have including heart problems and bleeding-related diseases. Be aware that certain patients have reported adverse reactions to SNRIs, such as nausea and dry mouth.
Benzodiazepines
Benzos, also known as benzodiazepines commonly referred to as are fast-acting drugs that can help ease anxiety and anxiety-related symptoms, like insomnia and muscle tension. Some people with anxiety disorders like panic disorder or social anxiety may find them useful particularly if they've not responded to other treatments such as SSRIs and psychotherapy. They can also be helpful as a short-term solution, like while you wait for an antidepressant to begin working. Medications such as diazepam (Valium) and lorazepam (Ativan) are the most common benzos, but other options include clonazepam (Rivotril), temazepam (Restoril) and flurazepam (Dalmane).
They usually begin to work within 30 minutes since they are fast-acting. They don't last for very long in the body, therefore it is essential to take them regularly to reap the benefits. Benzos should not be taken for long periods as they can cause physical dependence and addiction. Benzos should not be used by people suffering from depression or anxiety disorders as they can increase the risk.
People who take benzos for an extended period of time with no medical supervision and often without the guidance of a doctor, can develop a condition known as sedative-use disorders, which include withdrawal symptoms and addiction. It is uncommon for people who take benzos as prescribed to develop this condition however. Instead, the misuse of benzos is usually the result of other factors like alcohol abuse or depression.
The long-term may also lead to tolerance to their effects on sedation. Iam Psychiatry means that you need more medication to get the same effects. This may result in respiratory depression or even death. Even if you are taking benzodiazepines over a long time, it is important to adhere to the prescription.
Other Medical Treatments
SSRIs and SNRIs are the first medications doctors typically prescribe to treat anxiety. They alter serotonin which is responsible for mood, appetite, and sleep. They can take as long as 12 weeks before they begin to work and may cause negative effects like insomnia or nausea. SSRIs are also used to treat mental disorders, such as depression, panic disorder, and obsessive compulsive disorder. Antidepressants, unlike benzodiazepines do not cause physical dependence. However, they may cause withdrawal symptoms when abruptly stopped.
Medications in this class include sertraline (Zoloft), fluoxetine (Prozac) and citalopram (Celexa). They can be used alone or in combination with therapy. Antidepressants can be prescribed by a psychologist, psychiatrist or family physician with specialized training in medication management.
Doctors may also prescribe a class of antidepressants known as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). These drugs block the action of enzymes that break chemicals into smaller pieces, such as serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. MAOIs can take as long as four weeks before they begin to work, but they are not as quick-acting as SSRIs.
Another medication used to treat anxiety is clonidine. This is used to manage blood pressure, but is not widely used to treat anxiety. Its effectiveness is limited by adverse effects like hypotension and sedation. Doctors may prescribe antihistamines, like hydroxyzine, to ease symptoms of panic attacks and anxiety. They may also decrease the effectiveness of benzodiazepines for certain patients.
Anxiety is often treated with a combination of psychotherapy exercise and medication. A therapist who has a specialization in anxiety disorders is the most effective way to manage anxiety. They can help you work through the root causes of your anxiety and suggest strategies to manage it without medication, if needed. Other treatment options for anxiety that are not medications include eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, mindfulness meditation and yoga based on trauma. Talk with your therapist about what options are best for you. Psychologists are trained to assess your symptoms and medical history and formulate a treatment plan that is suitable for you. They will take into consideration your particular diagnosis, lifestyle, medical history and preferences when developing this plan and make adjustments to it over time.