Finding the Best Medication For Anxiety Disorder Anxiety disorder is a very common mental disorder Medications help many people manage their anxiety symptoms There are many types of medication, including SSRIs such as benzodiazepines, SSRIs and others SSRIs such as sertraline, citlopram, fluoxetine, and sertraline and SNRIs such as venlafaxine are typically the first medications doctors prescribe for anxiety They alter neurotransmitters within your brain that influence mood https//wwwiampsychiatrycom/anxiety-disorders is normal to feel stressed or anxious from time to time However, if these feelings persist or interfere with daily life, you may need to seek help from a professional Alongside psychotherapy and lifestyle changes, medications can be a powerful method of reducing the symptoms of anxiety There is no one-size fits all treatment for anxiety The best option for you will depend on your diagnosis and many other factors Benzodiazepines like Klonopin clonazepam, Xanax alprazolam and Valium diazepam are rapid-acting medicines that can offer immediate relief from anxiety symptoms such as a fast heart rate, sweating or shaking voice Benzodiazepines slow down brain activity and encourage relaxation by enhancing the activity of the receptors for gamma aminobutyric acid They are prescribed for anxiety disorders like panic disorder, social anxiety, and generalized anxiety However, they can also be addictive and should be used under medical supervision for short-term use Antidepressants are also commonly used to treat anxiety disorders, especially selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors SNRIs These medications increase the levels in the brain of serotonin a neurotransmitter and hormone that affects mood, as well as norepinephrine another neurotransmitter involved in the body's fight or flight response Some people are not able to tolerate these drugs and may experience nausea or insomnia In addition, physical dependence can develop on long-term SSRI treatment Other medications, such as propranolol Inderal and atenolol Tenormin are often used for anxiety that are not on the label particularly when used in conjunction with antidepressants These beta blockers are usually used to lower blood pressure and heart issues, but they can aid in reducing the feelings of apprehension that accompany some phobias or panic disorders Some anxiety-related symptoms can be relieved by allergy medications such as Vistaril It blocks certain histamine receptors in the brain to decrease excessive activity in the central nervous system, leading to a calming effect It is prescribed as needed to treat anxiety, particularly prior to surgery It is not the first option, but it could be a good alternative for those who are unable to take benzodiazepines due to the danger of dependence or misuse Antidepressants Anxiety is a very common mental health condition, and it is extremely treatable The first step is usually lifestyle changes, however sometimes medication can alleviate symptoms as well There are a myriad of treatments available to treat anxiety and the one that works best will depend on a person's diagnosis, medical history, and treatment goals In general, SSRI antidepressants, which are more recent are the first choice of medication for anxiety However, tricyclics that are older can also be effective Benzodiazepines can be another option and they work quickly to provide relief for anxiety attacks and other symptoms They target receptors for Gamma-aminobutyric Acid GABA, slowing down the brain's activity when it is overexcited and promoting a feeling of calm They are generally used as a type of medication that is used for transitional purposes but they can also become habit-forming Therefore they should not be used for long-term use Benzodiazepines can be found in the form of Klonopin clonazepam and Xanax, alprazolam Beta-blockers are a different kind of antidepressant which can be used to treat anxiety They inhibit the action of adrenaline and the hormone noradrenaline These hormones play a part in the body's fight or flight response They also boost serotonin levels - a chemical messenger which influences mood Propranolol, atenolol, and other beta-blockers are prescribed by physicians to treat anxiety Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors are the medications doctors usually prescribe for anxiety, and they work by impacting the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain These drugs can take several weeks to begin working, so it's important not to become discouraged if you don't see results immediately Sertraline Zoloft, fluoxetineProzac and citalopramLexapro are all common SSRIs used to treat anxiety In certain instances, antidepressants can worsen anxiety, so they're only prescribed as a last resort However, in other instances it's the only treatment that works, particularly when paired with therapy A psychiatrist has a lot of experience in the management of psychiatric medications and is the ideal person to discuss this They'll keep in mind the patient's medical history, goals and tolerance to medication when deciding on the most effective options They can also schedule regular appointments and follow ups in order to track the effectiveness of medications and monitor any the effects of medication Hydroxyzine Medications are the cornerstone of treatment for anxiety disorders but they're not the only option to control your symptoms A psychiatrist can assist you manage anxiety with different methods, including psychotherapy If medication is required, they will recommend an approach that combines different drugs in the proper dosage to obtain the most effective results Psychologists can prescribe a range of anti-anxiety medicines such as benzodiazepines and SSRIs They may prescribe SNRIs, or atypical Antidepressants These medications may provide long-term relief, or short-term relief for panic attacks and other serious symptoms Hydroxyzine is an antihistamine and can be used to alleviate tension and anxiety It is a drug that alters the body's levels of serotonin and histamine, which can change your mood Hydroxyzine is not a controlled drug and does not pose the risk of addiction as some other medications like lorazepam Ativan and alprazolam Xanax or clonazepam Klonopin can If you mix this drug with other drugs which cause drowsiness, such as sedatives or narcotics, negative effects can be hazardous A doctor may prescribe hydroxyzine in the form of an oral tablet or syrup to be taken three or four times per day Follow the instructions on the prescription and ask your physician or pharmacist to explain any part that you don't understand If you're breastfeeding or pregnant, you shouldn't be taking the hydroxyzine drug, as studies on animals have shown that the drug can cause harm to fetuses Psychiatrists prescribe hydroxyzine for anxiety, which is an illness that can trigger anxiety and feelings of fear and nervousness It can also lead to heart palpitations and shaking People with breathing problems should not take hydroxyzine since it may dry the mucus in the lungs and cause breathing difficulties Contact your doctor immediately if you have a problem breathing Avoid taking hydroxyzine in conjunction with alcohol or other drugs that may cause sleepiness Buspirone Feeling anxious from time to moment is normal, but anxiety that is persistent and causes disruption to your health and lifestyle should be treated by an expert medical professional Psychiatrists are specially trained to help people with anxiety problems They have a range of tools available which include medications and cognitive behavior therapy and other treatment options that are specialized SSRIs are the first medication a psychiatrist will prescribe to a person suffering from anxiety These drugs augment your body's natural levels of serotonin to help regulate mood and they are also low risk of substance abuse and addiction They work well in reducing symptoms over the long term and as a follow up to other treatments for anxiety Benzodiazepines like Klonopin, Xanax, and Valium are quick-acting medications that can provide anxiety relief immediately They slow down the gamma aminobutyric GABA in your brain and help you feel at peace They do not have the same adverse effects as SSRIs but can still be addictive and create a habit Buspirone is an antidepressant that has also been shown to be an effective anxiolytic However, it's often used as a last-line treatment It is available as an oral tablet, and has a lower risk of side effects than other drugs It takes several weeks to see the full effects, therefore it is important to stick to your medication regimen In the end, it's your doctor's responsibility to prescribe the most effective anxiety medication for you It is important to discuss your options with them, and they will be able to explain how each type of medication works, what the side effects are, and if they have any other recommendations to treat your anxiety disorder You can also complete an online assessment to be matched with an experienced psychiatrist who is licensed to treat anxiety disorders