

AnxiolyticĪnxiolytic drugs are medications that can be taken to decrease anxiety by targeting specific receptors in the pain. Some doctors use these drugs for anxiety-most often, panic disorder and social anxiety disorder-since they can help calm physical symptoms of anxiety like a racing heart rate and shortness of breath. Beta blockersīeta blockers are drugs that are commonly used to treat high blood pressure and heart conditions. They are called “tricyclic” antidepressants because there are three rings in their chemical structure. They function to increase neurotransmitter levels in the brain in a similar manner to the other classes of medications listed above. These medications are known to cause more severe side effects in some people, but they can help manage anxiety. Tricyclic antidepressant medications are also used to treat anxiety disorders. However, MAOIs interact with many other medications and foods, so doctors usually prescribe them only when someone isn’t responding to other anxiety medications. The end result is similar to SSRI and SNRI medications an increase in serotonin, norepinephrine, and other neurotransmitters. MAOIs inhibit a brain enzyme called monoamine oxidase, which breaks down serotonin and other neurotransmitters. Rather than just increasing serotonin levels, SNRIs also increase norepinephrine, which impacts how brain cells communicate. Similar to SSRIs, SNRIs help balance your brain chemistry by blocking the removal of neurotransmitters. Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRIs) According to studies, SSRIs typically take between 2-6 weeks to work. The increase in serotonin can help the brain cells send and receive messages more efficiently. SSRIs work by blocking the removal of serotonin from the brain and thereby increasing serotonin levels. Types Get treatment Types of Anxiety Medications Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)Ī common medication for anxiety and depression, SSRIs are considered by many doctors to be the first line of treatment for anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Specific phobias: Phobias, or strong fear reactions, cause people to irrationally avoid specific places or situations.Usually, people with OCD experience a variety of obsessions and compulsions. Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD): OCD has two components intrusive and unwanted thoughts or images that cause anxiety (obsessions) and behaviors someone feels compelled to do to ease anxiety (compulsions).Panic disorder: Panic disorder causes ongoing episodes of intense anxiety called panic attacks, which can come with overwhelming physical symptoms like a racing heart, dizziness, shortness of breath, and an overall feeling of impending doom.Agoraphobia: People with agoraphobia avoid going places with many people where they may have panic attacks, feel trapped, or be embarrassed.Social anxiety disorder: Social anxiety disorder causes people to feel fearful and anxious about being around other people in social situations.Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD): GAD usually involves persistent worry and anxiety that are often out of proportion to activities, events, or circumstances.There are several kinds of anxiety that may respond to anti-anxiety medication, including: Experiencing gastrointestinal (GI) problems like nausea, diarrhea, upset stomachĬhat with a doctor and get anxiety treatment for just $49.Rapid breathing and increased heart rate.Experiencing a sense of impending danger or panic.Anxiety disorders are more common in women than men, and they usually develop due to a number of factors, including someone’s life events, genetic makeup, brain chemistry, and personality. If ongoing, anxiety can interfere with someone’s everyday life, and a doctor might diagnose them with an anxiety disorder. While it is common for people to feel anxious from time to time, some people experience more debilitating and persistent worry. There are a number of treatment options for anxiety, including anxiety medication.Īnxiety is a normal response to stress involving fear and worry about the future. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., impacting 40 million adults-that’s more than 18% of the population. However, if fear and worry are persistent and interfere with your everyday life, you could be experiencing an anxiety disorder. Anxiety is the body’s way of responding to stress, so it is normal to feel physically or mentally anxious from time to time. At some point or another, you have probably experienced anxiety symptoms like racing thoughts, sweaty palms, or shortness of breath.
