Meds That Treat Anxiety Anxiety affects 40 million adults in the United States It is extremely treatable, and there are 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 They're not addictive, unlike benzodiazepines SSRIs The most common anxiety medication is selective serotonin inhibits SSRIs comprising citalopram, escitalopram, and fluoxetine These drugs also treat depression, and they can ease symptoms associated with other anxiety disorders, like obsessive-compulsive disorder OCD They can take up to a month for them to start working They are effective by increasing the quantity of certain chemical transmitters that are present 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 Another class of antidepressants, known as serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors SNRIs like duloxetine Cymbalta and venlafaxine Effexor are used to treat anxiety They operate a bit differently than SSRIs in that they reduce the reabsorption rate of norepinephrine and serotonin, although at lower levels than SSRIs These medications take a long time to be effective and are more expensive than SSRIs Tricyclic antidepressants TCAs, such as imipramine Tofranil, are effective in treating some anxiety disorders, including GAD However their drowsiness as well as other adverse reactions are what make them less popular Monoamine oxide inhibitors MAOIs are another kind of antidepressant used to combat anxiety However, their dietary restrictions and the risk of toxicity restrict their use Benzodiazepines are commonly used to treat anxiety and panic attacks in the short term, such as when waiting for SSRIs or SNRIs to begin working These drugs can trigger tolerance addiction, sedation as well as 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 crucial component of an anxiety treatment plan because it allows you to understand your symptoms and the reasons Many people find that both therapy and medication help them cope with anxiety Some studies suggest that cognitive behavior therapy is just as effective as medication for anxiety Talk to your doctor to find out what's best for you https//wwwiampsychiatrycom/anxiety-treatment have a calming effect, decrease anxiety and relax muscles that are tense They also ease symptoms of fear-related bodily arousal like heart rate and trembling and encourage sleep They work by binding inhibitory neurons, such as GABA or gamma aminobutryic acid, at receptors within the central nervous system They enhance the effects of GABA by facilitating its inhibitory effect on other neurotransmitters, and reducing the number of messages that are transmitted to the amygdala, a region of the brain which detects threats and gives the sensation of fear These medications are sometimes employed for short periods of time like an attack of panic or a severe anxiety attack They can relieve symptoms within 30 to 60 minutes Benzodiazepines, unlike SSRIs aren't able to remain in the body long They're fast-acting and can work within a few hours This makes them ideal for situations when immediate relief is needed such for instance, during a flight or before a presentation in public They can be addictive, so people are usually prescribed them for up to 4 weeks at a time After that period they also become less effective One of the reasons the benzodiazepines became so well-known is that they were effective and had minimal side effects when compared to their predecessors, like meprobamate or barbiturates They have a rapid time to begin their action and are very effective as anxiolytics anti-anxiety as well as sedatives and anticonvulsants, as well as for muscle relaxants Benzos were blamed for negative attitudes towards anxiety that developed in the 1970s and 1980s and included the denial of the disorder and the belief that benzodiazepine treatment lead to physical dependence Despite this they play a crucial role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, especially in conjunction with psychosocial interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy Benzos can interact with other medications and cause unwanted side-effects, like drowsiness or confusion It is important to inform your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription or herbal medication you currently use or are planning to take Go through the British National Formulary A to Z list of interactions with medications to find out what medications are safe when taken with benzodiazepines Antidepressants Antidepressants can ease anxiety and other mental health conditions 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, such as eating disorders, bipolar disorder, and certain types of pain The majority of doctors prescribe SSRIs as the first-line treatment for anxiety, however these medications may not be appropriate for all people If they aren't working doctors might look at the more traditional antidepressant, known as tricyclic or tetracyclic an antidepressant These include amitriptyline or nortriptyline as well as clomipramine They're not as popular as the latest antidepressants, yet they're still available Your doctor may also prescribe the antidepressant that sedates, trazodone Desyrel at lower doses to treat anxiety or insomnia Nefazodone, also referred to as Ferdinand Cymbalta and duloxetine can also be beneficial They're also available in generic forms If they don't work your doctor, you can try the antipsychotics quetiapine or olanzapine or the sedative antidepressant Mirtazapine Other medications for anxiety disorders include beta blockers, which reduce the blood pressure and heart rate by preventing the action of adrenaline These drugs aren't usually used to treat anxiety by themselves, but can be helpful when combined with psychotherapy Psychological therapy can help you overcome negative thoughts and behavior patterns that cause anxiety It can help you learn to control your anxiety, and develop coping skills Based on the severity of your health condition, you could undergo exposure or cognitive behavioural therapy Cognitive behavioural therapy helps you overcome negative thoughts, fears and the fear of situations that trigger your anxiety Exposure therapy involves gradually increasing the severity of anxiety-provoking situations until you are able to manage the stressors It can be done either individually or in smaller groups In both cases, results will take time to manifest 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 Inform your doctor about how you manage your symptoms Other Medicines While antidepressants and benzodiazepines are the most common treatment for anxiety, other medications can help alleviate your symptoms as well Antihistamines and beta blockers are often prescribed to alleviate anxiety These medications correct an imbalance in the brain's chemicals and can help alleviate your symptoms by reducing or blocking the signals that cause you anxiety and stress However, they're not an all-in-one solution You will still have to take steps to reduce anxiety, such as exercises as well as relaxation techniques, and psychological therapy Your doctor may initially prescribe one of the "first first" anxiety medication, which includes SSRIs and SNRIs These are the most effective medications to treat anxiety disorders, according to research studies The most commonly used SSRIs include sertraline Zoloft and the fluoxetine Prozac, Citropram Celexa, and escitalopram Lexapro These medications might have minor side effects, like nausea or insomnia, but they usually subside within 4-8 weeks In contrast to benzodiazepines, these are not addictive and won't increase the risk of suicidal thoughts The benzodiazepines, alprazolam Xanax and Clonazepam Klonopin, and diazepoxide Valium offer immediate relief for panic attacks and anxiety, but they can have side effects, including dizziness, drowsiness and coordination problems, and dependence They're less well-known over the more traditional barbiturates but are just as effective Antihistamines such as Vistaril hydroxyzine were initially created to treat allergies However, they are also used to ease anxiety symptoms Hydroxyzine blocks histamine receptors in the brain, and can trigger the body to relax It's not a controlled substance and therefore doesn't carry the same dangers of addiction like benzodiazepines Another kind of medication that can aid with anxiety is a group of medications called anticonvulsants They've been shown to relieve anxiety by interfering with the release and production of dopamine and serotonin They can be prescribed in conjunction with other drugs or as a temporary treatment for anxiety Your doctor will assess your medical history and symptoms to determine if these drugs are appropriate for you They will also discuss the length of time you'll need to take these medicines and any potential negative side effects that might occur Anxiety medications are only available by prescription, and you'll need a psychiatrist to prescribe it