Meds That Treat Anxiety Anxiety is one of the most common mental health issues that affects 40 million adults in the United States A variety of medications are available to treat it 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 Contrary to benzodiazepines they're not addictive SSRIs The most popular anxiety medication is selective serotonin reuptake inhibits SSRIs comprising citalopram, escitalopram, and fluoxetine These drugs are also used to treat depression and alleviate symptoms of other anxiety disorders such as obsessive compulsive disorder It can take up to one month for them to start working These drugs increase the production of certain chemical messengers within the brain, such as serotonin and norepinephrine These drugs are usually the first choice for treating anxiety, although doctors may prescribe other forms of antidepressants and benzodiazepines Another class of antidepressants, known as serotonin and norepinephrine receptor inhibitors SNRIs like duloxetine Cymbalta and venlafaxine Effexor, are also used to treat anxiety They work a little differently than SSRIs because they reduce the reabsorption rate of norepinephrine and serotonin, but at lower levels than SSRIs These medicines may take some time to begin taking effect, and they also are more expensive than SSRIs Tricyclic antidepressants like imipramine Tofranil can be effective in treating anxiety disorders Their drowsiness, along with other adverse effects are what make them less well-liked Another type of antidepressant, monoamine oxidase inhibitors MAOIs can be used to treat anxiety However, their restrictions on diet and the risk of toxicity restrict their use Benzodiazepines are often used to combat anxiety and panic attacks in the short term for instance, when waiting for SSRIs or SNRIs to take effect These medications can cause addiction to tolerance, sedation, and dependence, as well as withdrawal symptoms like a depression, anxiety, and delirium Benzodiazepines are typically found in alprazolam, clonazepam, as well as lorazepam Therapy is a crucial component of an anxiety treatment plan as it can help you understand your symptoms and their root causes Many people discover that medication and therapy both help them cope In fact, some studies suggest that cognitive therapy is just as effective as anxiety medications Speak to your doctor to find out what's best for you Benzodiazepines Benzodiazepines produce an calming effect, reduce anxiety and relax tense muscles They also alleviate symptoms of fear-related bodily stimulation like heart racing or shaking and help promote sleep The way they work is through binding to inhibitory neurotransmitters, like gamma-aminobutryic acids or GABA and interacting with receptors in the central nervous system They increase the effects of GABA by activating its inhibitory effect on other neurotransmitters and decreasing the number of messages that are sent to the amygdala an area of the brain which detects threats and gives the sensation of fear These medications are typically taken for short durations, such as during panic attacks or an anxiety attack They can help relieve symptoms in 30 to 60 minutes Benzodiazepines are different from SSRIs aren't able to remain in the body for long They're fast-acting and can work within a few hours This makes them ideal for situations when rapid relief is required such as on an airplane or before a presentation in public They can be addictive, so it is recommended to only prescribe them for a maximum of 4 weeks at each time They also lose effectiveness after a period of time One of the reasons why benzodiazepines are so well-known is that they are safe and have few side effects compared to their predecessors like barbiturates and meprobamate They are safe and have a rapid onset and can be employed as anxiolytics to decrease anxiety They can also be employed as sedatives, anticonvulsants and muscle relaxants Benzos were blamed for negative attitudes towards anxiety that developed during the 1970s and 80s and included the denial of the disorder and the perception that benzodiazepine therapies can lead to physical dependence Despite this, they continue to play a significant role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, especially in conjunction with psychosocial interventions like cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy Benzos can interact with other medications and trigger undesirable side effects such as drowsiness and disorientation It is essential to inform your doctor be aware of any other prescription, non-prescription, or herbal medicines you're considering or taking You can find out which medications are safe to take along with benzodiazepines through the British National Formulary A-Z list of drug interactions Antidepressants Antidepressants are effective in treating anxiety and other mental conditions 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 kinds of pain SSRIs are often prescribed as a first-line treatment of anxiety by doctors, but they may not work for all people If these antidepressants aren't working doctors may suggest an older version known as a tetracyclic or tricyclic antidepressant These include amitriptyline and nortriptyline, clomipramine and trimipramine, dothiepin, doxepin or imipramine These antidepressants aren't as common but are still readily available You can ask your doctor to prescribe the sedating antidepressant trazodoneDesyrel in lower doses in case you are having sleep problems or anxiety Nefazodone, aka Ferdinand Cymbalta, and duloxetine may also be helpful They're also available in generic form If they aren't helping your doctor, he may suggest the antipsychotics quetiapine and olanzapine or the sedative antidepressant Mirtazapine Beta blockers are used to treat other anxiety disorders They reduce heart rate and blood pressure by blocking adrenaline These medications aren't typically used for anxiety alone however they can be beneficial when used in conjunction with psychotherapy Psychotherapy can assist you to alter negative thoughts and behaviors that cause anxiety It will help you learn to control your anxiety, and develop coping strategies Depending on the severity of your problem exposure therapy or cognitive behavior therapy might be recommended Cognitive behavioural therapy assists you to overcome negative thoughts, fearful thoughts and to overcome avoidance of situations that trigger your anxiety Exposure therapy involves gradually increasing the intensity of anxiety-provoking situations until you can cope with the stressors It can be performed in a group or on your own In both instances, the results can take a while to show A combination of medication and psychological therapy is the best choice for certain people However, others find that medication alone is sufficient to treat their symptoms Tell your doctor how you manage your symptoms Other Medications Although benzodiazepines and antidepressants are the most commonly prescribed medications to treat anxiety, other medications can help ease your symptoms as well Antihistamines, beta blockers, and buspirone are often prescribed to reduce anxiety These medications correct an imbalance in the brain's chemicals and can help alleviate symptoms by reducing or blocking the signals that trigger stress and fear They're not a panacea You'll still have to do other things to reduce your anxiety, like physical exercise, relaxation techniques, and psychological therapy SSRIs or SNRIs are the most commonly prescribed anxiety medications that your doctor can prescribe According to research, these drugs are the most effective in treating anxiety disorders The most common SSRIs include sertraline Zoloft and fluoxetine Prozac, citalopram Celexa, and escitalopram Lexapro These medications might have minor adverse effects, like insomnia or nausea, but they typically subside within 4-8 weeks They are not addictive, and they do not increase the likelihood 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 side effects, including dizziness, drowsiness and coordination problems, and dependence They're not as popular than the barbiturates of the past, but they're just as efficient Antihistamines, such as Vistaril hydroxyzine, were developed to relieve allergies, but they're also sometimes used to ease anxiety symptoms Hydroxyzine can have a calming effect because it blocks histamine receptors It's not a controlled substance and therefore doesn't carry the same addiction risks as benzodiazepines Anticonvulsants are an additional type of medication which can help with anxiety They have been found to reduce anxiety by blocking the production and release of dopamine and sérotonin These medications can be used as part of a combination therapy or to treat anxiety in the short term Your doctor will assess your health history and symptoms to determine if these medicines are appropriate for you They'll also discuss the length of time you should take them for and any potential negative side effects https//wwwiampsychiatrycom/anxiety-treatment is only available with a prescription, so you'll need to visit an astrologer to obtain them