Most people have experienced stress or anxiety at some point in their life. When you have an anxiety disorder, however, you experience stress on a daily basis, often every day. In addition to getting stressed or anxious about things that others do not, people with anxiety disorders experience a higher and more prolonged degree of stress.
Anxiety disorders can become so frequent and debilitating that it interferes with everyday activities. It is also common to have panic attacks in public spaces, which require medical interference. As such, it is important to seek a medical diagnosis and treatment if you struggle with an anxiety disorder.
Anxiety disorders are typically disorders of the mind rather than of the body. They can include anything from phobias to panic disorders to social anxiety disorders to anything in between. Therefore, medications are the most common and effective treatment for anxiety disorders. There are many different types and classes of medications that can be prescribed by your doctor.
Antidepressants are the most common medications used to treat anxiety disorders. Currently, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are the two classes of antidepressants commonly used to treat anxiety disorders.
SSRIs, such as citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, sertraline, and vortioxetine, work by promoting the release of serotonin, which is a hormone that helps calm the brain. People who take SSRIs describe their effect as turning down the volume or quieting the brain. This helps people focus on controlling their stress and eliminating anxious thoughts.
SNRIs, such as venlafaxine and duloxetine, are very similar in how they affect a person’s brain. They help you hold on to serotonin and norepinephrine, which are hormones that promote feelings of happiness and help eliminate stress.
Antihistamines, which are often taken for allergies, are a newer medication for anxiety disorders. Currently, the only antihistamine that’s recommended for anxiety is hydroxyzine. It works by making you feel sleepy, which calms your mind and body.
Anti-anxiety medications, specifically benzodiazepines, are another popular option for treating anxiety. Alprazolam, diazepam, and clonazepam are some of the most commonly prescribed anti-anxiety medications, and they work by activating your GABA neuroreceptors in the brain. This then makes you feel calm and worry-free and can also induce sleep.
However, because of how addictive anti-anxiety medications are, they should only be viewed as a short-term fix and not a long-term one.
Beta-blockers are a class of drugs that are used to treat high blood pressure. Because anxiety and stress often elevate the heart rate and lead to high blood pressure, it is important to restore them to their normal rates. Propranolol, atenolol, and bisoprolol are several of the most common beta blockers used to treat anxiety that leads to high blood pressure.
In addition to medications, counselling in the form of psychotherapy is also an effective treatment for people with anxiety disorders. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, is where you meet with a professional counsellor or psychologist who helps you work through your anxiety. The goal of psychotherapy is to teach you that your anxiety does not have to control your life but that you can control it instead.
In addition to medications and psychotherapy, medical professionals will advise you to practice meditation, deep breathing exercises, and relaxation techniques. The goal of these practices is to teach you to self-regulate your anxiety and learn to calm yourself down.
Medications are a good option to get you started on the road to recovery, but they should be viewed as a band-aid rather than a permanent fix. Ideally, professional counselling, family support, and self-relegated exercises are the preferred long-term treatment for overcoming anxiety disorders.