Medications to Treat Anxiety Therapy is the most effective treatment for anxiety, there are times when a short course of medication is necessary Antidepressants and tranquilizers are among the drugs that can be used to treat anxiety SSRI antidepressants, such as citalopram Celexa, Escitalopram Lexapro and sertraline Zoloft can improve communication between nerve cells within the brain, and may reduce anxiety SNRIs, which are aimed at the chemicals norepinephrine and serotonin are also effective SSRIs SSRIs are the first line of medication doctors prescribe to treat anxiety disorders They stop nerve cells from absorption of serotonin into the brain, a chemical that is important for mood regulation It takes time for the medication to be effective however, people typically begin to feel better after about 4 to 6 weeks SSRIs are non-habit-forming and do not trigger addiction, therefore they can be used for longer durations of time Another type of antidepressant, SNRIs serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, also treats depression and anxiety Examples of SNRIs are citalopram Celexa and escitalopram Lexapro, fluoxetine Prozac, paroxetine Paxil and sertraline Zoloft Tricyclic antidepressants such as imipramine Tofranil and doxepine Anxiety Disorder Stimulant also treat anxiety and depression Mirtazapine, an antidepressant that is novel, is sometimes used to treat anxiety disorders Doctors do not know how SNRIs or SSRIs work, but they know that they increase the activity of chemical messengers known as neurotransmitters in the brain They prevent the brain from reabsorbing these chemicals and permit them to attach 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 be helpful with bulimia, however it is less prevalent Atypical antipsychotic drugs may be prescribed to people with anxiety who don't respond to SSRIs Examples include quetiapine Abilify, and aripiprazole, Risperdal https//wwwiampsychiatrycom/anxiety-treatment reduce anxiety in those suffering from obsessive compulsive disorder They are usually prescribed together with an antidepressant they are less likely for serious side effects compared to other antipsychotics Beta-blockers are also a class of medication that can be used to combat anxiety and are frequently prescribed for heart conditions Examples are propranolol Inderal and atenolol Tenormin They can reduce physical symptoms of anxiety in people suffering from social anxiety disorders They can be helpful in reducing anxiety, particularly during or following surgery Benzodiazepines like lorazepam Ativan can be used to treat symptoms when other medicines aren't working However, benzodiazepines can cause dependence and can be addictive SNRIs SNRIs are another type of antidepressant medications that are often prescribed to treat 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 in treating certain kinds of anxiety disorders, such as social anxiety disorder and panic disorder Like other medications, these work best when used in conjunction with therapy for talk and other treatment strategies In contrast to benzodiazepines, SNRIs do not cause dependence or addiction for the majority of people Some patients may experience withdrawal symptoms when stopping a medication following a prolonged period of use Because of this, it is important to speak with your doctor prior to stopping any medication Neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine are responsible for regulating mood and stress They play an important role in the fight or flight response that a lot of anxiety sufferers experience By preventing the reuptake process, SNRIs stop nerve cells from absorption of these neurotransmitters in a rapid manner They keep these chemicals in the body for longer and can improve mood, reduce anxiety, or even alleviate panic attacks Norepinephrine is also essential for anxiety because it activates the amygdala, a deep and primordial part of the brain associated with fear-related behavior It has been demonstrated that SNRIs reduce activity in this area of the brain, which may positively impact mood and anxiety and help to ease anxiety attacks These medications are very helpful, but they can also increase suicidal thinking in some people Because of this, they are usually prescribed at higher doses and for a short duration These medications can also interact with other medications and substances It is important to inform your doctor if you are taking any other prescriptions or over-the generic medicines Also keep them informed of any existing conditions like heart issues and bleeding issues Also, be aware that certain patients have reported adverse reactions to SNRIs, such as dry mouth and nausea Benzodiazepines Benzos, or benzodiazepines as they are often called are drugs that act quickly and reduce anxiety and other anxiety-related symptoms, like tension in the muscles and insomnia Some people with anxiety disorders like social anxiety or panic disorder may find them useful particularly if they have not had success with other treatments like SSRIs and psychotherapy They're also helpful as a short-term solution, such as while you are waiting for an antidepressant to start working Medications such as diazepam Valium and lorazepam Ativan are the most commonly used benzos, although others include clonazepam Rivotril and temazepam Restoril and flurazepam Dalmane Because they're fast-acting drugs, they generally begin working within 30 minutes They don't last for very long in the body, which is why it is essential to take them regularly to reap the benefits Utilizing benzos for prolonged periods of time could cause addiction and physical dependence, so they should only be used for the shortest period possible Benzos should not be taken by people suffering from anxiety or depression disorders since they may increase the risk People who use benzos over an extended period of time without medical supervision, and often without the advice of a doctor, can develop a condition called sedative-use disorders, which include withdrawal symptoms and addiction This condition is uncommon in those who take benzos as prescribed Misuse of benzos usually results from other factors, such as alcoholism and depression Tolerance to benzodiazepines can also develop when they are used for a long time When you become tolerant of the effects, you need to take more of the medication to have the same effect This may result in respiratory depression or even death It is essential to take benzodiazepines according to the prescription and on a regular basis Other Medicines SSRIs and SNRIs will be the first medication prescribed by doctors to treat anxiety They affect serotonin which affects the mood, sleep, appetite and appetite They can take up to 12 weeks to begin working and can cause side effects such as nausea or insomnia SSRIs are also used to treat other mental health disorders such as depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and panic disorder Antidepressants, unlike benzodiazepines do not cause physical dependence However, they can cause withdrawal symptoms when abruptly stopped Sertraline Zoloft, Prozac Prozac Sertraline Zoloft, Prozac Prozac and Celexa Citalopram are all drugs in this class They can be used as a single drug or in conjunction with therapy Antidepressants can be prescribed by a psychologist, psychiatrist or family physician with special training in medication management Doctors may prescribe a class of monoamine-oxidase inhibitors MAOIs as an antidepressant They block the actions of enzymes that break chemicals into smaller pieces, such as serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine MAOIs can take up to four weeks before they begin to work however they aren't as quick-acting as SSRIs Another medication to manage anxiety is clonidine, which is used to lower blood pressure, but is not widely used to treat anxiety Its effectiveness is limited because of adverse effects such as hypotension and sedation Doctors may also prescribe antihistamines, such as hydroxyzine to help reduce the symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks They may also decrease the effectiveness of benzodiazepines for some patients Anxiety is often treated with a combination of psychotherapy exercise and medication A therapist who specializes in anxiety disorders is the most effective way to manage anxiety They can assist you in working through the root causes of your anxiety and recommend strategies to manage it without medication, if necessary Other options for treating anxiety that do not require medication include eye movement desensitization, mindfulness meditation, reprocessing, and yoga that is trauma-informed Speak to your therapist to determine the most effective options for you Psychiatrists are trained to evaluate your symptoms and medical history and formulate a treatment plan that is suited to you When developing the plan, they take into account your lifestyle, diagnosis, medical background, and personal preferences They can also make adjustments over time