Medicine for Anxiety and Other Coping Strategies

Anxiety medication: List, types, and side effects

Generally, treating anxiety disorders involves psychotherapy, medication, or a combination of the two. Common medications include antidepressants, antianxiety medications, and beta-blockers. SSRIs are considered antidepressants and they increase the amount of serotonin in the brain, which helps improve mood. Some clinical studies suggest that some herbal medicines may reduce anxiety symptoms. However, many of these clinical studies are small, and there also are clinical studies that show that some herbs are not useful therapy for anxiety.

Anxiety

If you need help finding a primary care doctor, check out our FindCare tool here. Taking 15-minute intervals of quiet time and meditation to focus on deep breathing and relaxation can help calm your anxiety. You can listen to music or repeat a motivational mantra on a regular basis.

The ADAA notes that medical professionals also consider SNRIs to be the first-line treatment for anxiety. SNRIs are another class of antidepressants that can treat depression and anxiety. Doctors may also prescribe them to treat some chronic pain conditions.

SNRIs do the same thing that SSRIs do but they also increase the amount of signaling between neurons that use a chemical called norepinephrine to communicate with one another. When used to treat anxiety, the benefits and side effects of SNRIs are essentially the same as those for SSRIs. The three currently available SNRIs are Effexor (venlafaxine), Cymbalta (duloxetine), and Pristiq (desvenlafaxine). SNRIs are another first-line anxiety medication and are considered as effective as SSRIs, although they can have more side effects. SNRIs are considered just as effective as SSRIs, but they do tend to have more side effects. Side effects of SNRIs can include headaches, sexual dysfunction, insomnia, upset stomach, and increased blood pressure.

People with persistent anxiety may benefit from anxiety medications to help manage symptoms. However, there is ongoing off-label use of both first-generation (typical) antipsychotics and second-generation (atypical) antipsychotics to treat anxiety disorders. When taking anti-anxiety medications, it also helps to modify your lifestyle in ways that will reduce your anxiety. Buspar takes one to two weeks for initial effects to be felt and can take four to six weeks for the full effect. Because of this, it is not considered effective for the treatment of anxiety attacks, and it must be taken consistently in order to have an effect on symptoms. Benzo Free They may be prescribed off-label for the short term when used for anxiety.

Anxiety Medications

Anxiolytics (also termed anti-anxiety or anti-panic drugs) are medications that are used to treat a health condition called anxiety. The type of anxiety that requires treatment is called generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). This disorder causes excessive worry and anxiety, significant distress, and affects the ability for a person to function. Moreover, the symptoms of anxiety occur on most days for at least six months.

More on Anxiety & Panic Disorders

While some research found ashwagandha reduced depression, stress, and anxiety in a small group of adults, more studies are needed to understand its effects on anxiety in the long term. Side effects include headaches, dry mouth, drowsiness, sexual dysfunction, diminished sex drive, and weight gain. As with many antidepressants, they can increase the risk of suicidal ideation (thinking about or planning suicide), particularly in children, teenagers, and young adults. Benzodiazepines induce muscle relaxation and reduce other symptoms related to anxiety. These medications are not typically used long-term because they can be habit-forming and may lead to dependence or addiction.

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• During her psychiatry training, Young sought additional training in women’s mental health and cognitive behavioral therapy.
• Medications can also be prescribed for uses that are not approved by the FDA but have been deemed necessary for treatment by a medical professional, known as off-label use.
• They reduce anxiety quickly; however, they can cause problems when taken long-term and should be used with caution.
• If you have any questions, you can reach out to your doctor or pharmacist.

Symptoms of anxiety disorders can be managed with medications, such as benzodiazepines and SSRIs. Since it can take time to build up in your system, it’s usually not the best option if you have a condition that requires fast-acting relief, like if you’re experiencing a panic attack. Buspirone (BuSpar) can work to treat anxiety in both the short and long term. Tricyclics — aka TCAs — are an older type of antidepressant that work like SNRIs. They can be used for treating some anxiety disorders, but not social anxiety.

Anti-anxiety medications are not cures for anxiety disorders, but they can help manage some of the symptoms. Talk to your healthcare provider to identify the treatment that is right for you. Your pharmacist can be a very helpful resource for identifying side effects related to medications you’re taking. If you believe you’re suffering from an anxiety disorder, seek additional support from a mental health specialist.