Most people feel anxious now and then, and the feeling generally goes away by itself within some time. However, an anxiety disorder is different. If the doctor diagnoses you with an anxiety disorder, you may need anxiety medications. The treatment of anxiety consists of medication and psychotherapy.
While medications do not completely cure anxiety, they help manage the symptoms to function properly and feel better in everyday life.
Many types of anxiety medications are available. As everybody is different, the patient and their doctor may have to try some medications to find the best one for them.
Most Popular Anxiety Medications
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines are the sedative or tranquilizer that help relax muscles and calm the brain. They work in the brain by enhancing some neurotransmitters’ effects and chemicals to relay messages between the brain cells.
They help treat many types of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder. The most popular benzodiazepines include:
- Alprazolam (Xanax)
- Clonazepam (Klonopin)
- Chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
- Lorazepam (Ativan)
- Diazepam (Valium)
Benzodiazepines are short-term anxiety medications. It is because they have the risk of increasing drowsiness and cause troubles with memory and balance. They are also habit-forming.
Buspirone
Buspirone is used to treat both transient uneasiness and persistent (enduring) nervousness problems. It’s not entirely known how buspirone functions; however, it’s an idea to influence synthetics in the mind that control temperament.
Buspirone can take as long as half a month to turn out to be completely compelling. It’s accessible as conventional medication, just as the brand-name drug Buspar.
Antidepressants
Upper drugs work by influencing synapses. These medications can be used to treat uneasiness manifestations, yet they ordinarily take four to about a month and a half to create visual impacts.
Kinds of antidepressants include
SSRIs
Specific serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) work by expanding serotonin levels, a synapse that influences temperament, sexual longing, hunger, rest, and memory. SSRIs are generally begun at a low portion that your primary care physician, step by step increments.
Instances of SSRIs used to treat uneasiness include:
- Escitalopram (Lexapro)
- Fluoxetine (Prozac)
- Paroxetine (Paxil)
- Sertraline (Zoloft)
- Tricyclics
Tricyclics fill in just as SSRIs accomplish for treating most uneasiness problems, aside from fanatical urgent issues (OCD). It’s imagined that tricyclics work comparatively to SSRIs. Like SSRIs, tricyclics are begun at a low portion and afterward increased progressively.
Instances of tricyclics utilized for uneasiness include:
- Clomipramine (Anafranil)
- Imipramine (Tofranil)
Tricyclics are more established medications that are used less frequently because more current medications cause fewer results.
MAOIs
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are used to treat alarm problems and social fear. They work by expanding the quantity of synapses that control the state of mind.
MAOIs that are FDA-affirmed to treat sorrow yet utilized off-name for uneasiness include:
- Isocarboxazid (Marplan)
- Phenelzine (Nardil)
- Selegiline (Emsam)
- Tranylcypromine (Parnate)
Beta-blockers
Beta-blockers are regularly used to treat heart conditions. They’re also used off-name to help alleviate the actual side effects of tension, particularly in social uneasiness.
Your PCP may recommend a beta-blocker, for example, propranolol (Inderal), to help lessen your tension side effects in upsetting circumstances, for example, going to a gathering or giving a discourse.
Anxiety Medications: FAQs
What is the drug of choice for anxiety?
There are various anxiety medications available in the market, as mentioned above. However, the best medication for you will depend upon several different factors.
Antidepressants are the drugs of choice for anxiety. The newer antidepressant agents have much safer adverse effects and higher ease of use than the older tricyclic antidepressants or TCAs.
Benzodiazepines like Xanax, Valium, and Ativan are also very effective and, most of the time, the first-line treatment choice for anxiety disorders.
What is the strongest anti-anxiety pill?
The most prominent and strongest anti-anxiety pill for immediate relief is Xanax (alprazolam). Other benzodiazepines are also effective anxiety medications, including Klonopin, Valium, Librium, and Ativan.
Can anxiety be cured?
Anxiety is not a curable condition. However, there are various ways to keep it from being an anxiety disorder. Getting the right anxiety treatment will help you control your worries so that you can generally get on with your daily life.
How do I know if I need anxiety medication?
While there are no definite symptoms or signs to start anxiety treatment or take medications, the standard guidelines by the experts say: “when anxiety issues majorly affect your ability to function in the day-to-day life, you may start taking anxiety medications are at least visit your doctor for a proper diagnosis.”
What happens if anxiety is left untreated?
If you leave your anxiety untreated, it can lead to other mental disorders or psychotic conditions, such as insomnia, depression, or substance abuse. People with untreated anxiety have a higher risk of self-harming ideations or suicidal behaviors. They may lead a life of isolation.
Are anxiety pills bad for health?
Anxiety pills, like other medications, carry their part of associated side effects. The most frequent of them include drowsiness, clumsiness, and confusion. They even occur at low doses. The higher the dose of anxiety medications, the more severe the side effects are.