Medications to Treat Anxiety Therapy is the most effective treatment for anxiety, occasionally taking a short course of medicine is required Antidepressants and tranquilizers are two of the medications that can be used to combat anxiety SSRI antidepressants such as citalopram, escitalopram, and sertraline can reduce anxiety SNRIs, which target the chemicals norepinephrine and serotonin can also be effective SSRIs SSRIs are the first class of medication doctors prescribe to treat anxiety disorders They block nerve cell serotonin re-absorption in the brain, a substance that is important for mood regulation The drugs take time to begin working, but most people are better after four to six weeks SSRIs are non-habit-forming and do not cause addiction, which means they can be used for extended periods 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 as well as the fluoxetine Prozac and paroxetine Paxil and sertraline Zoloft Tricyclic antidepressants, such as imipramine Tofranil, doxepine and an anxiety Disorder stimulant are also used to treat anxiety and depression New antidepressants like mirtazapine Remeron are also sometimes used to treat anxiety disorders Doctors aren't sure how SSRIs or SNRIs function but they do know that they boost the activity of chemical messengers known as neurotransmitters within the brain They stop the brain from reabsorbing these chemicals and allow 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 the bulimia nervosa disorder and binge eating disorder, but this is not as common Atypical antipsychotics can be prescribed to patients with anxiety who don't respond to SSRIs Examples include quetiapine Abilify, and aripiprazole, Risperdal These medications reduce anxiety in those suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorders They are often given together with an antidepressant they are less prone for serious side effects when compared to other types of antipsychotics Beta-blockers are also prescribed to treat anxiety, and heart conditions Propranolol and Atenolol are two examples They can ease physical symptoms of anxiety in people suffering from social anxiety disorders They can be useful in reducing anxiety, specifically prior to or following surgery Benzodiazepines like lorazepam Ativan can be used to manage symptoms when other medication aren't working However, benzodiazepines can cause dependence and can lead to addiction SNRIs SNRIs are a different kind of antidepressant medications that are often prescribed to combat anxiety They function in a similar manner to SSRIs however they also boost the availability norepinephrine, and serotonin As a result, they are typically more effective in treating certain kinds of anxiety disorders, including panic disorder and social anxiety disorder Similar to other medications, they are most effective when they are combined with talking therapy and other treatment strategies Contrary to benzodiazepines, SNRIs aren't a dependence or addiction in the majority of people Some patients may experience withdrawal symptoms stopping a medication after a prolonged period of use It is important to consult your physician prior to stopping any medication Neurotransmitters such as serotonin and norepinephrine are responsible for regulating mood and stress They play an important part in the fight or flight response that a lot of sufferers of anxiety experience The SNRIs hinder nerve cells from rapidly soaking up neurotransmitters by preventing the process of reuptake They keep these chemicals in the body for longer periods of time and can boost mood, decrease anxiety, or even alleviate panic attacks Norepinephrine is also important for anxiety as it stimulates the amygdala, a deep and primal part of the brain associated with fear-related behaviour SNRIs can reduce activity of this area of the brain This can boost mood, anxiety and reduce panic attacks These medications are very helpful however they can increase suicidal thinking in some people Due to this, they are usually prescribed in higher doses for a short-term period In addition, these medications can interact with several other medications and other substances You should inform your doctor if you are taking any other prescriptions or over-the counter medications Also keep them informed of any existing conditions such as heart issues and bleeding issues Be aware that some patients report adverse reactions to SNRIs like nausea and a dry mouth Benzodiazepines Benzodiazepines, or benzos as they are often referred to are drugs that act quickly and reduce anxiety and related symptoms, such a muscle tension and insomnia They can be helpful for patients suffering from anxiety disorders, such as panic disorder and social anxiety, especially if other treatments, such as SSRIs or psychotherapy talk therapy aren't working They can also be helpful as a short-term solution, such as while you wait for an antidepressant to begin working Medications such as diazepam Valium and lorazepam Ativan are the most popular benzos, although other options include clonazepam Rivotril and temazepam Restoril and flurazepam Dalmane Because they're fast-acting drugs, they generally start to work within 30 minutes These drugs don't last very long in the body, so you must take them regularly to benefit from their effects Using benzos for long periods of time can result in addiction and physical dependence therefore they should be used only for the shortest period possible Benzos are not recommended by people with depression or anxiety disorders as they could increase the risk Benzo users who take them for an extended period with no medical supervision and often without the direction of a physician, may develop a condition known as sedative-use disorders, which can include withdrawal symptoms and addiction It is rare for people who take benzos as prescribed to develop this condition however Instead, the misuse of benzos is typically a result of other factors like alcohol abuse or depression Taking benzodiazepines for the long-term can cause tolerance to their sedating effects When you become tolerant of the effects, you need to take more of the medication to achieve the same effect This may cause respiratory depression, or even death It is essential to take benzodiazepines according to the prescription and on a regular basis Other Medications SSRIs and SNRIs are the primary medications doctors will usually prescribe to treat anxiety They alter serotonin which influences mood, sleep, appetite and appetite They may take a long time to take effect, up to 12 weeks, and can cause some adverse effects such as insomnia or nausea SSRIs can also be used to treat mental disorders such as depression, panic disorder, and obsessive compulsive disorder Antidepressants, unlike benzodiazepines do not cause physical dependence However, they can cause withdrawal symptoms if abruptly stopped The medicines in this class include sertraline Zoloft as well as fluoxetine Prozac and citalopram Celexa They may be used on their own or in combination with therapy Antidepressants can be prescribed by a psychologist, psychiatrist or family physician who has specialized training in the field of medication management Doctors can also prescribe a class of antidepressants referred to as monoamine oxidase inhibitors, or MAOIs They block the actions of enzymes that break chemical into smaller pieces, such as serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine MAOIs can take as long as four weeks to start working, but they are not as fast-acting than SSRIs Another medication used to treat anxiety is clonidine It is used to lower high blood pressure However, it is not widely used to treat anxiety Its effectiveness is limited by side effects like hypotension and sedation Doctors may prescribe antihistamines, like hydroxyzine, to help reduce the symptoms of panic attacks and anxiety Certain patients may also experience a reduction in the effectiveness of benzodiazepines The treatment for anxiety is usually using medication, psychotherapy and exercise The most effective method is to consult a therapist who specializes in treating anxiety disorders They can help you determine the root causes of your anxiety and suggest strategies to manage it, without medication if necessary Other options for https//wwwiampsychiatrycom/anxiety-treatment that do not involve medication include eye movement desensitization, mindfulness meditation, and trauma-informed Yoga Talk with your therapist about which options are best for you Psychiatrists have the training to analyze your medical history, symptoms, and develop a treatment plan for anxiety that is right for you When developing the plan, they will take into consideration your medical diagnosis, lifestyle, medical background, and preferences They can also make adjustments over time