Meds That Treat Anxiety Anxiety affects 40 million people 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 aren't addictive, unlike benzodiazepines SSRIs The most popular anxiety medications are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs like citalopram Celexa, escitalopram Lexapro and fluoxetine Prozac These drugs are also used to treat depression as well as relieve symptoms of other anxiety disorders, such as obsessive compulsive disorder It could take up to one month for them to start working They are effective by increasing the quantity of certain chemical transmitters within the brain This includes serotonin and norepinephrine as well as dopamine They're typically the first treatment option for anxiety, but doctors also use other types of antidepressants as well as benzodiazepines Antidepressants like duloxetine Cymbalta and venlafaxine, Effexor are also used to treat anxiety They differ from SSRIs since they reduce norepinephrine, however at a lower rate than SSRIs They can take a while to begin taking effects, and they are more expensive than SSRIs Tricyclic antidepressants TCAs such as imipramine Tofranil are effective in treating certain anxiety disorders, including GAD However, their drowsiness and other adverse effects make them less popular Another type of antidepressant, monoamine oxidase inhibitors MAOIs, can also be used to treat anxiety Their high risk of toxicity and restrictions on diets make them unsuitable for use Benzodiazepines are commonly used to treat anxiety and panic attacks in the short-term, such as when waiting for SSRIs or SNRIs to kick in These drugs can lead to dependence, tolerance, and sedation as well as withdrawal symptoms like a rebound anxiety, depression and delirium Benzodiazepines can be found in alprazolam, clonazepam, and lorazepam Therapy is a crucial component of an anxiety treatment plan, as it helps you learn more about your symptoms and their causes Many people discover that both therapy and medication can help to manage anxiety Certain studies have demonstrated that cognitive behavioral therapy is just as effective as medication for anxiety Talk to your doctor about your options and determine what could be the best choice for you Benzodiazepines Benzodiazepines produce a calming effect, decrease anxiety and relax muscles that are tense They also alleviate symptoms of bodily stimulation related to fear like heart rate or shaking and help promote sleep They work by binding inhibitory neurons, such as GABA or gamma aminobutryic acids, at receptors within the central nervous system They increase the effects of GABA by facilitating the inhibitory effects of GABA on other neurotransmitters and by reducing the volume of messages sent to amygdala It is a part of the brain which assesses the threat and triggers a feeling of fear These medications are typically employed for short periods of time for instance, during panic attacks or an anxiety episodes They may relieve symptoms within 30 to 60 minutes Benzodiazepines, unlike SSRIs aren't able to remain in the body long They're fast-acting and usually work in a matter of hours, which makes them ideal for situations in which quick relief is needed like on a plane flight or before giving an event in public They are addictive, and people are usually prescribed them for up to 4 weeks at each time After that they also cease to be effective One of the reasons why benzodiazepines were so popular was that they worked and had few side effects, when compared to their predecessors, such as barbiturates or meprobamate They are fast in the onset of action and are very useful as anxiolytics anti-anxiety as well as sedatives and anticonvulsants, as well as for muscle relaxants Benzos have been blamed for the negative attitudes toward anxiety that developed in the 1970s and 1980s, which included the denial of the disorder and the perception that benzodiazepine treatment can lead to physical dependence Despite this, benzodiazepines continue to play a crucial role in the treatment for anxiety disorders, particularly when combined with psychosocial interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy or interpersonal therapies Benzos can interact with other drugs and cause unwanted side-effects, like drowsiness or confusion It is recommended to inform your doctor about any prescription, nonprescription, or herbal medications that you are currently taking or plan to take You can determine which medications are safe to use with benzodiazepines by looking up the British National Formulary A-Z list for medication interactions Antidepressants Antidepressants are effective in treating anxiety and mental illnesses 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 for other health issues, such as bipolar disorder, eating disorders, and certain types of pain SSRIs are usually prescribed as a first-line treatment for anxiety by doctors, however they might not work for all people If they don't work, doctors may consider a different type of antidepressant known as a tricyclic or tetracyclic antidepressant They include amitriptyline, nortriptyline and Clomipramine They're less popular than the newer antidepressants, yet they're still readily available You may ask your doctor to prescribe the sedating antidepressant, trazodoneDesyrel, at lower doses in case you are experiencing sleep issues or anxiety Nefazodone, aka Ferdinand Cymbalta and duloxetine may also be helpful They are also available in generic forms If they do not work, your doctor might suggest a antidepressant that is sedating, mirtazapine Remeron or the antipsychotics quetiapine or olanzapine Medications for other anxiety disorders include beta blockers, which reduce the blood pressure and heart rate by blocking the action of adrenaline These drugs are not usually used to treat anxiety on their own, but they can be effective when used in conjunction with psychotherapy https//wwwiampsychiatrycom/anxiety-treatment can help you to change negative thoughts and behavior patterns that contribute to your anxiety It can help you manage your anxiety and teach you strategies for coping Based on your specific health condition, you could receive exposure or cognitive behavioural therapy Cognitive behavioural therapy helps you overcome negative, fearful thoughts and overcome the fear of situations that trigger anxiety Exposure therapy involves gradually increasing the severity of anxiety-inducing situations until you can cope with them It can be done either individually or in small groups In both instances it takes time to demonstrate results A combination of medication and psychotherapy therapy is the best option for some individuals Others discover that medications alone are sufficient to control their symptoms It's important to tell your doctor what you're doing to control your symptoms Other Medications Other medications can also help alleviate your symptoms Beta blockers and antihistamines are often prescribed to ease anxiety These drugs can correct an imbalance in your brain's chemical balance and can help ease your symptoms by lowering or blocking signals that trigger anxiety and stress They're not a cure-all You'll still require a variety of methods to control anxiety, such as exercises, relaxation techniques and psychological therapy SSRIs or SNRIs are your most commonly prescribed anxiety medications that your doctor may prescribe According to research, these drugs are the most effective in treating anxiety disorders The most commonly used SSRIs include sertraline Zoloft and fluoxetine Prozac, citalopram Celexa and escitalopram Lexapro These medications might have mild side effects, such as insomnia or nausea, but they usually subside within 4-8 weeks They aren't addictive and they don't increase the risk of suicidal thoughts The benzodiazepines alprazolam Xanax as well as clonazepam Klonopin and diazepoxide Valium provide immediate relief from anxiety and panic attacks, but they can have adverse effects, such as dizziness, drowsiness and coordination issues, and dependence They're less well-known over the more traditional barbiturates but are just as efficient Antihistamines like Vistaril hydroxyzine were originally created to treat allergies However they can also be used to reduce anxiety symptoms Hydroxyzine block histamine receptors within the brain and can cause an energizing effect It's not a controlled substance and therefore doesn't carry the same risks of addiction like benzodiazepines Another kind of medication that can aid with anxiety is a class called anticonvulsants, which have been shown to relieve anxiety by interfering with the production and release of serotonin and dopamine They might be prescribed in conjunction with other medicines or as a short-term treatment for anxiety Your doctor will review your health history and symptoms to determine if these drugs are appropriate for you They'll also discuss the length of time you should take them and any potential negative side effects Anxiety medication is only available by prescription, so a psychiatrist will be required to prescribe it