Anxiety is a mental health concern that extends its arms in an unreasonable, unwarranted, and uncontrollable way and goes beyond the logic of reasoning. People experience anxiety in different forms at some point in their life. While it may begin in a mild form, it may reach an embarrassing or life-threatening stage too. While some amount of anxiety is normal, if it goes undiagnosed and untreated, it can affect a person’s ability to handle his or her daily activities, office work, and personal relationships. Presently, anxiety and depression are snowballing across the globe. Though most anxiety disorders are treatable, the treatment can vary, depending on the specific condition, symptoms, and situation. Medications are an option to treat anxiety, but they may bring some side effects.
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Also Read: Anxiety: Causes, Symptoms And Treatment

Different Types Of Anxiety Medications

Anxiety is treated in different ways depending on the severity, condition, and type of problem. Primarily, six main types of anti-anxiety medication are:

1.SSRI and SNRI:
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI) are the first-line treatment for anxiety. Common SSRI brands are Lexapro, Celexa, Luvox, Paxil, and Zoloft, and common SNRI brands are Pristiq, Effexor XR, and Cymbalta,

Pros: They are effective in most cases and safe too.

Cons: They can take up to a month to build up in the body. They may cause nausea, diarrhea, low sodium levels, and sexual side effects.

2. Vistaril:
Vistaril is an antihistamine potentially for allergies as well as anxiety.

Pros: It can be given for short-term anxiety relief such as before surgery.

Cons: Causes dry mouth, dizziness, blurred vision, or constipation.

3.Buspar:
This medication increases the levels of feel-good neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine.

Pros: This medication may not only relieve anxiety but can improve your sense of well-being.

Cons: May lead to dizziness and drowsiness with nausea.

4.Abilify and Seroquel:

Abilify and Seroquel can treat a range of mental health and mood disorders besides balancing certain important brain chemicals.

Pros: They work quickly and bring instant relief.

Cons: It can make you drowsy and cause spasms, dry mouth, and involuntary body movements.

5.Benzodiazepines:

Benzodiazepines are tranquilizers that are given to treat both anxiety and depression. The main types of tranquilizers are diazepam, alprazolam, and lorazepam.

Pros: They can give you immediate relief.

Cons: Though they are good for the short term but cause dependency on them.

6. Beta-blockers:

Beta-blockers are one of the main drugs given for social anxiety.

Pros: It does not cause drowsiness.

Cons: May cause low blood pressure in some patients.
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How To Choose The Right Medication?

There are different types of anxiety disorders, thus different medicines may work accordingly. The doctor will consider your other health conditions, medications, and family history and then recommend the best medication to help control your anxiety issue.

Which Medication Has Most Serious Side Effects?

Out of the above-mentioned anxiety medications, benzodiazepines have the highest risk for side effects. It may cause dependency and build tolerance on them because of the way they work in the brain. You may also experience severe withdrawal symptoms. Because of these problems, benzodiazepines are not recommended as first-choice medications. 

Side Effects Of  Anti-Anxiety Pills

Common side effects of SSRI or SNRI antidepressants include:

  • Drowsiness
  • Confusion
  • Low sex drive
  • Fatigue

Also Read: Postnatal Depression: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis And Dealing With This Disorder

Effectiveness Of Anti- Anxiety And Depression Medicine

Though most antidepressants may take 1 to 2 weeks to start working, some can take up to 8 weeks for full effect. Benzodiazepines work quickly, often within hours and the patient may experience improvements in their symptoms soon after the patient takes them. However, if the positive response on one medication is not noticed within 6 weeks or if symptoms do not subside within 8 to 10 weeks, doctors may have to replace it with an alternative. In some cases, healthcare providers may give you two or three medications to work differently. They may also switch to another one if you experience any improvements 

Tips Before Starting An Anxiety Medication

While seeking medical help for mental health can be difficult, it is an essential step for your overall well-being. When you talk to your provider about starting an anxiety medication, follow these tips:

Communicate clearly. Be as detailed as possible so that the doctor can identify the right problem and prescribe accordingly. Share your treatment goals, fear of side effects, and other factors.

Discuss other options. In addition to medication, therapy, and lifestyle changes are also ways to improve anxiety. Ask your doctor about non-medication ways to manage your symptoms besides the medication.

Ask about follow-up. Starting medication is not the end to anxiety issues. Ask when to come next and about all the tentative timelines.

Talk about costs. Anxiety medications come with a certain price range. Based on your financial condition, always be transparent about what your pocket allows and what are you willing to spend.

Other Ways To Manage Anxiety Issues

Medications for anxiety are safe and effective and are good options for many people. It is always good to combine medicine with other treatments. Some of them are:

  • Psychotherapy  or counselling 
  • Cognitive behavioural therapy
  • Stress management techniques
  • Breathing techniques
  • Lifestyle modifications
  • Connecting with support groups