Finding the Best Medication For Anxiety Disorder Anxiety disorder is a very common mental illness Many people take medications to treat their anxiety symptoms There are a variety of medication, including SSRIs such as benzodiazepines, SSRIs and others SSRIs such as sertraline and fluoxetine and SNRIs, such as venlafaxine, are typically the first drugs doctors prescribe to treat anxiety They affect neurotransmitters that influence the mood of your brain Benzodiazepines It is normal to feel stressed or anxious at times However when these feelings last or cause problems in your daily life, you may need to seek professional help The use of medication can be a beneficial instrument to ease anxiety symptoms, along with therapy or lifestyle changes There isn't a one-size-fits-all treatment for anxiety The most effective option for you will depend on your condition and 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 rapid heart rate, sweating or the voice that is trembling Benzodiazepines reduce brain activity and encourage relaxation by enhancing the activity of the receptors for gamma aminobutyric acid They are typically prescribed for generalized anxiety disorder as well as panic disorder and social anxiety disorder They can be addictive and should only be administered under medical supervision Antidepressants are also commonly used to treat anxiety disorders, especially selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors SNRIs These medications boost brain levels of serotonin a neurotransmitter and hormone that affects mood and norepinephrine another neurotransmitter involved in the body's fight or flight response However, some people do not respond well to these drugs and may experience adverse effects like insomnia or nausea In addition, physical dependence can develop on long-term SSRI treatment Some medications, such as propranolol and atenolol, are used off-label for treating anxiety, particularly when they are combined with antidepressants These beta blockers are employed to reduce anxiety and fears Certain anxiety-related symptoms can be relieved by medication for allergies like Vistaril It blocks certain histamine receptors within the brain to reduce the amount of activity in the central nervous system, resulting in a calming effect It is prescribed for anxiety, particularly before surgery While https//wwwiampsychiatrycom/anxiety-disorders -choice medication, it is often an option for patients who cannot take benzodiazepines because of the potential for dependence and abuse Antidepressants Anxiety is a common mental health issue and it's highly treatable The first step is usually lifestyle changes, however sometimes medication can alleviate symptoms as well There are a variety of medications available to help with anxiety, and the one that works best will depend on a patient's diagnosis and medical history, as well as treatment goals In general, SSRI antidepressants, which are more recent are the first choice of medication for anxiety However, older tricyclics can also be effective Benzodiazepines can be used to treat anxiety attacks and other symptoms They work quickly and provide relief They target receptors for Gamma-aminobutyric Acid GABA slowing down the brain's response to stress, and promoting a sense calm They are generally used as a type of medication that is used for transitional purposes and may be habit-forming Therefore they shouldn't be used for a long time Examples of benzodiazepines include Klonopin clonazepam and Xanax alprazolam Another type of antidepressant, beta-blockers, are used to treat anxiety through reducing the actions of noradrenaline and adrenaline hormones, which are involved in the body's fight or flight reaction They also increase the levels of serotonin, a chemical signal that affects mood Propranolol and atenolol as well as other beta-blockers are a prescription from doctors to combat 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 medications can take a few weeks to begin working so it's important to not get discouraged if you don't see immediate results Sertraline Zoloft, fluoxetineProzac and citalopramLexapro are all common SSRIs used to treat anxiety In some instances, antidepressants can worsen anxiety Therefore, they're prescribed as an option last resort In other cases it's the only option that is effective, especially when it's paired with therapy A psychiatrist has a lot of experience in managing psychiatric medication and is the best person to discuss this They will keep in mind a person's diagnosis, medical history, goals, and tolerance to medications when deciding on the most effective options Psychiatrists are also able to schedule regular appointments and follow ups to monitor the effectiveness of medications and monitor any adverse effects Hydroxyzine Medications are the cornerstone of treatment for anxiety disorders, but they're not the only option to control your symptoms A psychiatrist will employ a variety of tools, such as psychotherapy, to help you cope with anxiety If medication is needed, they will recommend an approach that combines different drugs in the proper dosage to achieve the best results Psychiatrists have a variety of options in the field of anti-anxiety treatments, including traditional options like benzodiazepines as well as SSRIs They may also prescribe SNRIs, or atypical Antidepressants These medications can be utilized for long-term solutions or to provide temporary relief from panic attacks and other severe symptoms Hydroxyzine is an antihistamine which can be used to ease tension and anxiety It works by altering the body's levels of histamine and serotonin, which can change your mood Hydroxyzine is not a controlled drug and does not pose the risk of addiction that other medications, such as lorazepam Ativan, alprazolam Xanax or clonazepam Klonopin can If you mix this medication with other drugs that can cause drowsiness such as sedatives or narcotics, the side effects could be dangerous A doctor can prescribe hydroxyzine as an oral tablet, syrup or suspension to take three or four times per day It is important to follow the directions on the prescription and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any aspect that you aren't sure about You shouldn't take hydroxyzine while pregnant or nursing Animal studies have proven the drug to cause harm to the fetuses Psychologists prescribe hydroxyzine to treat anxiety, an illness that can trigger feelings of anxiety and nervousness It can also cause heart palpitations or tremors People who have breathing issues should not take hydroxyzine, because it can dry out mucus and make breathing difficult Contact your doctor immediately in case you are having trouble breathing Avoid taking hydroxyzine along with alcohol or other medications that could cause sleepiness Buspirone Being anxious from time to time is normal, but anxiety that is persistent and interferes with your health and lifestyle should be addressed by a medical professional Psychologists have been specially trained to assist those suffering from anxiety problems They have a number of tools at their disposal such as medications, cognitive behavioral therapy, and other specialized treatments SSRIs are the first medication a psychiatrist will prescribe to someone suffering from anxiety These drugs help regulate mood by boosting your body's serotonin levels They also have a low dependence and risk of abuse They also work in the long-term relief of symptoms and as a follow-up to other anxiety-relieving treatments Benzodiazepines such as Klonopin, Xanax, and Valium are fast-acting drugs that can relieve anxiety immediately They work by targeting gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA, in your brain slowing it down and helping you feel calm They do not have the same adverse effects as SSRIs but they can be addictive and can lead to a habit-forming Buspirone, an antidepressant, has also been shown as an effective anxiolytic It is commonly utilized in second-line treatment It's an oral tablet and has a lower risk than many other medications It can take 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 choice to prescribe the best anxiety medication for you It is important to discuss with your doctor the options available They can explain the effects of each medication and any adverse effects If they have any other suggestions for treating your anxiety disorder, they'll also be able to give them You can also complete a short online assessment to match you with an accredited psychiatrist who is licensed to treat anxiety disorders