The treatment of Anxiety by psychiatrists usually means a prescription for Ativan (lorazepam) and Xanax (alprazolam). These medications are a class of benzodiazepines. Although these drugs are often a doctor’s first choice, there are other options implemented that were not created for the treatment of anxiety.
Certain antidepressants are also used in the treatment of anxiety. These medications are different from anti-anxiety medications in several different ways such as a low risk of dependency and abuse. In addition, antidepressants can take anywhere from four to six weeks to fully take effect. These medications can not be used for sudden symptoms of anxiety either.
SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants to treat anxiety. SSRIs or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors include Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Celexa, and Lexapro. These medications are used to treat both generalized and severe anxiety such as OCD or obsessive compulsive disorder. As with all prescription medications, there are some risks of side effects. The most common side effects include weight gain, stomach upset and nausea, sexual problems, sleepiness and dizziness, nervousness, and headaches. In addition, there are reported cases of more severe side effects which include suicidal thoughts, hostility, and aggression. An additional risk involved with taking antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications is their ability to actually increase symptoms in both disorders.
A look at the mechanism of SSRIs:
These types of antidepressant medications attempt to correct the chemical imbalance of serotonin in the brain. It accomplishes this by making more of the neurotransmitter available to the receptor sites of the post-synaptic nerve.
A new medication called BuSpar or Buspirone is being used to treat anxiety. This drug is similar to SSRIs as it reduces serotonin in the brain as well as reducing dopamine which is responsible for increasing heart rate and blood pressure. Another benefit to this medication is that it does not cause loss of memory, coordination or have a tendency to become addictive. It also does not cause side effects such as drowsiness like other anti-anxiety medications such as Ativan. The problem however is that BuSpar is only used for generalized anxiety disorder.
Since prolonged anxiety can lead to high blood pressure and heart problems, beta blockers are sometimes prescribed to treat these problems. They also help deal with physical symptoms of anxiety, such as dizziness, sweating, trembling voice, and rapid heart rate. Beta blockers are best for phobias. Side effects of beta blocker use include nausea, sleepiness, lightheadedness, and a very slow pulse.
Talk with your psychiatrist. He or she will ask you a series of questions and may conduct some physical tests to determine which medication, if any, is necessary. Remember to be patient as some drugs take several weeks to go into effect. However, it is important to let your doctor know if you dont feel that your medication is working or if you feel that it is causing adverse effects. You may have to switch to another prescription within the same class of drugs or to an entirely different class altogether.
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