Anxiety medications are the medicines that people use to treat anxiety. These medications give you relief from anxiety symptoms and related health issues. There is a wide range of medicines that treat anxiety. you can take some of them when you are feeling anxious. And, some medicines are taken regularly for long-lasting relief.

Anxiety is good but only up to a limit. When the anxiety becomes out of control, it leads to several health issues. Persistent anxiety has very negative impacts on your mental health. Sometimes anxiety disorders become so dreadful that they don’t even let you do your daily activities. Anxiety disorders if not treated on time, interfere with everything you do. They don’t let you enjoy your life and make it vulnerable.

But thankfully, there are many methods to treat anxiety and improve mental health. These methods include lifestyle strategies, natural remedies, and anxiety medications. This article is a complete guide to anxiety medications. Here, you will learn about types of anxiety medications, their working mechanisms, and their benefits. Moreover, you will also learn their role in improving your mental health.

Different types of anxiety medications

Anxiety medications include different kinds of medicines belonging to different classes. Every type of medication has a different working mechanism for anxiety. They help to reduce anxiety in different ways with different benefits and risks. You should consult the doctor before choosing the right medication for you. Here are the different anxiety medications:

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

SSRIs are the first-line medications for treating anxiety. They increase the levels of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin helps in relieving stress and boosting mood as well. So, these medicines work great for stress, anxiety, depression, and many mood disorders. SSRIs have very less side effects due to which you can use them for a long time. Examples of these medicines are – Prozac, Celexa, Luvox, etc.

Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)

These medicines are also very effective in treating anxiety and mood regulation. These medicines increase the levels of both serotonin and norepinephrine. Just like serotonin, norepinephrine also enhances mood and makes you feel better. SNRIs have more side effects than SSRIs. But they are very effective in reducing anxiety and improving your mental health. SNRIs include Venlafaxine, Duloxetine, etc.

Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs)

TCAs are one of the most common and some of the first used medicines for anxiety treatment. They inhibit the reuptake of both serotonin and norepinephrine. Due to this, they block the signals of stress and anxiety in the brain. Besides stress and anxiety, they treat depression and pain sensations as well. Although these medicines treat anxiety well. But they have more side effects than SSRIs and SNRIs. So, doctors prescribe these medicines only for short-term use and when other medicines don’t work. Examples of TCAs are Elavil, Pamelor, Tofranil, etc.

Role of Benzodiazepines in treating anxiety

Benzodiazepines are the most effective medicines to treat anxiety. They have sedative and anxiolytic properties. Due to these properties, benzodiazepines help treat anxiety and panic disorders. Besides these, benzodiazepines also benefit people suffering from insomnia.

Benzodiazepines work by interacting with the GABA neurotransmitters in the brain. They slow down your brain activity and increase the activity of GABA. GABA gives a sense of calmness to the brain and reduces anxiety. Because low levels of GABA make your brain excited which makes you anxious.

Different benzodiazepines and the time they take to work for anxiety

There is a wide range of benzodiazepines, but below are the ones that treat anxiety. Every medicine has a different potency and time of action. Along with that, the effects of every medicine last for a different time. It depends on several factors like your age, the severity of anxiety, or any existing health issue. Along with that the dose of medicine also affects the action time of the medicine.

· Xanax: It starts showing its effects within an hour of administration. The effects of Xanax last up to 5-6 hours.

· Diazepam: If you take diazepam intravenously, it takes 2-5 minutes to show its effects. And, if you take it in tablet form, it takes 15-60 minutes to kick in.

· Lorazepam: Both tablet and liquid forms of lorazepam take 20-30 minutes to work for anxiety. its full effects last for around 6-8 hours.

· Clonazepam: Clonazepam starts working within 20-60 minutes of administration. Its effects peak up to 1-4 hours, then start wearing off.

Precautions for taking benzodiazepines

Although benzodiazepines treat anxiety very well, you should use them only for the short term. Because these are controlled substances and can develop a habit if used for a long time. Moreover, if you use them for a long time, they may have serious side effects. So, benzodiazepines are only short-term treatment for anxiety. That’s why, you will need a prescription to buy benzodiazepines.

Besides these, there are some precautions you should follow while taking benzodiazepines. There are some circumstances and situations in which you should be careful while taking these medicines.

If you are pregnant or planning to conceive, talk to your talk about taking benzodiazepines. Because they can harm the unborn baby and retard the growth. Moreover, benzodiazepines may pass through the breast milk. So, avoid using them if you are breastfeeding.

If you have a kidney or liver disorder, either avoid taking benzodiazepines or take a low dose. Because kidneys and liver will find it difficult to metabolize them. Due to this, they deposit in the body and if this happens for long, it may lead to overdose.

People having respiratory disorders should also consult the doctor before taking benzodiazepines. Because improper administration of benzodiazepines can cause serious breathing problems.

you should not consume alcohol or opioids while using benzodiazepines. Because it will increase sedation and drowsiness which may have life-threatening side-effects.

If you have a history of substance abuse or depression then also, you should avoid taking benzodiazepines. Because they can increase suicidal thoughts or risk of self-harm.

Summary

All the medicines discussed in this article are effective in treating anxiety. Every medicine works differently for every person. I understand it’s not easy to live with anxiety. Long-term anxiety has very bad impacts on your health and well-being. So, it is very necessary to treat anxiety to live a blissful life. Consult your doctor before taking any medication. Your doctor will help you in choosing the right medication and dose for your anxiety.