What is the Best Medication for Anxiety?

Anxiety is a very general issue that a large part of the population suffers from daily. Anxiety is when you feel an intense feeling of fear, nervousness, worry, etc., even when there is no real danger to worry about. Your brain perceives a fake danger situation.

One of the ways to treat anxiety is with the help of medication. But there is no single “best” medicine for everyone. Every person is different in their own way. The best medication depends on your body, your type of anxiety, and how you react to treatment.

This blog will cover some of the most common medications that are prescribed for anxiety and discuss how they work.

When to take Medication for Anxiety?

A little bit of anxiety is common, but when it starts affecting your daily life, it becomes concerning. It can damage your academic or professional performance, relationships with others, and social interactions.

It can even manifest as symptoms like:

• Excessive worrying
• Trouble sleeping
• Irritability
• Trouble concentrating
• Headache and fatigue

If you are facing such symptoms, it is time to start thinking about seeking professional help to alleviate the symptoms.

Seeking anxiety treatment can prevent symptoms from worsening and reduce the risk of developing co-occurring psychiatric disorders such as substance abuse or depression.

How do Medicines help with Anxiety?

Medication can be helpful for individuals with moderate to severe anxiety symptoms. However, it should be prescribed with care to avoid dependency or adverse effects. The goal of anxiety treatment medication is to alleviate symptoms while minimizing side effects.

Long-term anxiety treatment should always focus on non-addictive medications whenever possible, to make sure that the person does not get dependent on medicines.

Medications can help with:

• Calming your mind and body
• Reducing worry and fear
• Helping you sleep better
• Letting you focus properly on daily tasks
• Stopping panic attacks

However, it should be noted that medications can not always guarantee full recovery. Often, they need to be paired with therapy or some other treatment plan. Medications solely focus on alleviating the symptoms.

Types of Medications for Anxiety

These are some of the most commonly prescribed medications that psychiatrists recommend after thorough testing and understanding of your symptoms.

It should be noted that self-medicating can be dangerous, as it might interfere with your other medications or cause side effects due to improper dosages. Hence, always start a medication only after a licensed psychiatrist prescribes it to you.

SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors):

These are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants because they show fewer side effects than other anxiety medications. They increase the serotonin levels in the brain, which helps regulate mood and relaxes anxious thoughts.

SNRIs (Serotonin and Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitors):

This is another class of medications that is often prescribed for anxiety. SNRIs are often used for individuals who suffer from chronic pain and are used off-label for ADHD. SNRIs generally do not produce the weight gain or significant sexual side effects that a lot of SSRIs produce, so they are often a preferred choice over SSRIs.

Tricyclic Antidepressants:

TCAs were some of the first antidepressants developed to treat depression and are sometimes used when other anxiety medications fail. Tricyclic antidepressants can be especially effective when treating treatment-resistant depression alongside anxiety.

Serotonin Modulators:

Serotonin modulators help to block or stimulate the serotonin receptors in the brain. An anxiety specialist might offer these if the patient does not respond well to SSRIs or other typical anxiety medications.

Atypical antidepressants:

Atypical antidepressants work best for those suffering from insomnia and anorexia, which is often associated with anxiety. These can provide rapid relief of symptoms, and in some cases, would be preferred over SSRIs with individuals who experience panic attacks and more acute anxiety episodes.

Dopamine reuptake inhibitors:

Dopamine reuptake inhibitors have been used for depression and off-label for ADHD. They have sometimes been found to be useful for anxiety. They have no weight gain or sexual side effects.

Side Effects of Anxiety Medications

Before starting medications, it is important to be aware of the common side effects so that you can handle them properly if they happen to you.

SSRIs and SNRIs

Common side effects include:

• Nausea (feeling like vomiting)
• Headache
• Sleep problems (can’t sleep or feeling too sleepy)
• Dizziness
• Dry mouth
• Low sex drive or trouble with sex
• Upset stomach or loose motion
• Feeling nervous in the beginning
• Weight gain (in some people)

Tricyclic Antidepressants

Common side effects include:

• Dry mouth
• Constipation
• Blurred vision
• Sleepiness or drowsiness
• Weight gain
• Dizziness when standing up (low blood pressure)
• Trouble urinating

Serotonin Modulators

Common side effects include:

• Sleepiness or drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Dry mouth
• Nausea
• Constipation
• Blurred vision

Atypical Antidepressants

Common side effects include:

• Dry mouth
• Trouble sleeping
• Increased sweating
• Anxiety or restlessness
• Headache
• Weight loss
• Risk of seizures (especially at high doses)

Dopamine reuptake inhibitors

Common side effects include:

• Headache
• Nausea or upset stomach
• Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
• Anxiety or restlessness
• Increased heart rate
• Increased blood pressure
• Dry mouth
• Sweating
• Shakiness or tremors
• Loss of appetite

It is to be noted that these effects do not always show up in everyone. Every person is different, and a medicine can have different effects on different people.

The only thing you should make sure of is that you are seeking help from a medical professional who is trusted, licensed, and experienced. Let them know about everything that you are experiencing and suffering from, and they will tailor a treatment plan according to that.

If you are suffering from anxiety, do not lose hope and feel alone. With proper help, anxiety can be treated!

For more information on anxiety treatment, visit: https://gabapsychiatrist.com/anxiety-treatment/

Or call at +1(833)312–4222