Anxiety frequently finds a home in the shadowy recesses of our minds, where it tangles itself into the inner workings of our feelings and ideas. Many individuals set out on a journey to find inner peace as life presents its various obstacles. It is not uncommon that many individuals may grapple with anxiety disorders during this rollercoaster of a journey. Thankfully, there are several options available in modern medicine to assist people in controlling and reducing the effects of anxiety.
Taking prescription drugs made specially to treat anxiety disorders is one such approach. This article will discuss the different kinds of drugs used for managing anxiety, their advantages and disadvantages, and whether or not it is more beneficial to combine medication with therapy.
Table Of Contents
What Type Of Medication Is Used To Treat Anxiety?
What Are the Benefits Of Treating Anxiety With Medication?
What Are the Downsides Of Treating Anxiety With Medication?
Is It Better To Do Both Medication And Therapy For Anxiety?
What Type Of Medication Is Used To Treat Anxiety?
The selection of medication for anxiety disorders is contingent upon the unique presentation and requirements of the patient. Typically, doctors may prescribe one of the following types of drugs to treat anxiety:
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs): SSRIs are a popular type of antidepressant that function by raising serotonin levels in the brain. SSRIs can help reduce anxiety symptoms by increasing the neurotransmitter serotonin, which is linked to mood regulation. Escitalopram, sertraline, and fluoxetine are examples of common SSRIs (Clevenger et al., 2018; Szuhany & Simon, 2022).
Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs): SNRIs raise serotonin levels similarly to SSRIs, but they also influence norepinephrine and help to improve mood. Venlafaxine and duloxetine are examples of common SNRIs (Strawn et al., 2018).
Benzodiazepines: These drugs have an immediate onset of action and suppress the central nervous system. They are frequently recommended to treat severe anxiety symptoms temporarily. Alprazolam, lorazepam, and diazepam are a few examples. However, it is usually not advised to use them for an extended period of time due to the possibility of abuse and dependence (Coplan et al., 2015).
Beta-Blockers: Although not commonly used for anxiety, beta-blockers such as propranolol are sometimes given to treat physical symptoms of anxiety by preventing the effects of adrenaline, which can cause trembling and a racing heart (Garakani et al., 2020).
Buspirone: Compared to benzodiazepines and SSRIs, this anti-anxiety drug is different. It is frequently used to treat generalized anxiety disorder and acts by interacting with serotonin and dopamine receptors (Garakani et al., 2020).
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What Are the Benefits Of Treating Anxiety With Medication?
Symptom Relief: Fast symptom relief is one of the main advantages of taking medication to treat anxiety. These drugs can offer a much-needed break to people who are suffering from acute anxiety, giving them an opportunity to regain control and have a sense of normalcy in their lives.
Improved Functioning: The influence of anxiety on day-to-day functioning can be profound, making it difficult to concentrate on relationships, jobs, or even basic tasks. Medication can assist in reestablishing equilibrium, allowing people to participate in daily tasks with greater proficiency.
Prevention of Escalation: Sometimes anxiety might worsen into more serious mental health issues if left untreated. By using medicine to treat anxiety at an early stage, people may lower their chance of acquiring more complicated disorders.
Enhanced Quality of Life: A greater sense of well-being, easier involvement in social activities, and personal interests are just a few of the ways that medications can improve the quality of life for those who suffer from anxiety.
What Are The Downsides Of Treating Anxiety With Medication?
Even if medicines can have a lot of advantages, it’s important to think about any possible drawbacks.
Side Effects: The majority of drugs have minor to severe possible side effects. These may include weight gain, nausea, sleepiness, and dysfunctional sexual behavior. People must consider the advantages against the disadvantages and discuss any possible side effects with their healthcare practitioners (Garakani et al., 2020).
Dependency and Withdrawal: There is a chance that some drugs, especially benzodiazepines, will cause dependency and withdrawal symptoms. Rebound anxiety and other negative effects may occur if these drugs are stopped suddenly. To reduce these risks, careful management and observation are required (Garakani et al., 2020).
Tolerance: The body may become tolerant to some drugs over time, necessitating dosage changes or switching to an alternative drug. A healthcare expert should be closely monitoring this process.
Masking Underlying Issues: Medication can help with symptoms, but it doesn’t deal with the underlying reasons of anxiety. Medication alone may not always be the best way to explore and address underlying emotional or psychological problems.
Is It Better To Do Both Medication And Therapy For Anxiety?
There are many aspects to consider when deciding whether to utilize medicine exclusively or to combine it with therapy. The best method for treating anxiety problems is frequently an all-encompassing approach that combines both medication and treatment.
Synergistic Effects: Therapy and medication can work in tandem to treat distinct facets of anxiety. While therapy gives people coping methods, stress-reduction techniques, and a deeper knowledge of their emotions, medications may provide quick symptom alleviation.
Long-Term Benefits: Over time, therapy helps people become less dependent on medicine by teaching them self-management techniques for anxiety. This may result in long-lasting improvements and a lower chance of relapsing.
Individualized Treatment: Anxiety affects everyone differently. While some people may benefit more from the knowledge acquired in therapy, others may find respite from medicine alone. When both are combined, a customized, unique treatment plan can be created.
Reduced Reliance on Medication: The combination of therapy and medicine can frequently result in gradually decreasing dosages or stopping the medication altogether. For people who are worried about the long-term effects or possibility of dependency connected with specific medications, this can be especially crucial.
It is important to carefully evaluate each person’s needs, preferences, and the type of anxiety they are experiencing when navigating the world of medicinal products for anxiety disorders. Medication is not a one-size-fits-all therapy, even if it can provide significant symptom alleviation. Individuals are better equipped to make decisions about their journey towards anxiety management when they are aware of the advantages and disadvantages and investigate the potential of combining medication with therapy.
References
Clevenger, S. S., Malhotra, D., Dang, J., Vanle, B., & IsHak, W. W. (2018). The role of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in preventing relapse of major depressive disorder. Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology, 8(1), 49–58. https://doi.org/10.1177/2045125317737264
Coplan, J. D., Aaronson, C. J., Panthangi, V., & Kim, Y. (2015). Treating comorbid anxiety and depression: Psychosocial and pharmacological approaches. World Journal of Psychiatry, 5(4), 366–378. https://doi.org/10.5498/wjp.v5.i4.366
Garakani, A., Murrough, J. W., Freire, R. C., Thom, R. P., Larkin, K., Buono, F. D., & Iosifescu, D. V. (2020). Pharmacotherapy of Anxiety Disorders: Current and Emerging Treatment Options. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 11. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.595584
Strawn, J. R., Geracioti, L., Rajdev, N., Clemenza, K., & Levine, A. (2018). Pharmacotherapy for generalized anxiety disorder in adult and pediatric patients: An evidence-based treatment review. Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy, 19(10), 1057–1070. https://doi.org/10.1080/14656566.2018.1491966
Szuhany, K. L., & Simon, N. M. (2022). Anxiety Disorders: A Review. JAMA, 328(24), 2431–2445. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2022.22744
Written By: Dr. Wasif MD
Edited by: Madison Vargas, BS
Medically Reviewed By: Dr. Kyle Zrenchik, PhD, LMFT
Published : 02/02/2024
Disclaimer: ALL IN Therapy Clinic aims to improve people’s lives. We do this through providing effective mental health counseling by passionate professionals. Inspired by this, we write content for your own education. Also, our content is researched, cited, reviewed, and edited by licensed mental health professionals. However, the information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Additionally, it should not be used in place of the advice of a qualified healthcare provider.
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