Fear plays a part in certain anxiety disorders for many patients. Drugs, which include antidepressants and anti-anxiety medication, help relieve anxiety symptoms and reduce fears. Medication works best when treatment includes psychotherapy to deal with a patient's fears. Panic attacks, social phobias, obsessive-compulsive behavior and post-traumatic stress disorder produce fear in anxiety patients.
Identification
People who suffer anxiety or panic attacks from panic disorder may experience pounding heart, shortness of breath, trembling, chest pains or dizziness because of sudden fear that overtakes them. Social phobias cause people to avoid situations they fear will trigger their anxiety. Such fears include public speaking, being in crowds, flying or using elevators. People with obsessive-compulsive disorder may have irrational fears of germs, causing them to wash their hands after contact with people or objects, or they may repeatedly check to make sure doors are locked from a fear of intruders. Post-traumatic stress disorder stems from terrifying or violent events that happened to someone in the past. Patients avoid situations that remind them of the events. Generalized anxiety disorder does not involve fear so much as constant anxiety about everyday activities.
Drug Function
Anxiety medication includes antidepressants that alter brain chemistry by increasing levels of certain chemicals to improve moods, according to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, block the reuptake, or reabsorption, of serotonin by the brain after the neurotransmitter performs a function. Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, SNRIs, prevent the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine to leave behind more levels of serotonin, involved in emotions, and norepinephrine, an adrenal hormone. Anti-anxiety drugs help reduce anxiety by relieving tension and acting as relaxants.
Types
Fluoxetine, citalopram, sertraline, paroxetine and escitalopram are among the SSRIs used to treat panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and social phobia, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Venlafaxine, an SNRI, may work for generalized anxiety disorder patients. Tricyclics work as well SSRIs and SNRIs but may have more side effects. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors, or MAOIs, also treat anxiety disorders, but are among an older class of medication that can produce serious side effects. Certain patients, however, may need particular drugs for their conditions. MAOIs include phenelzine and tranylcypromine. Buspirone, an anti-anxiety drug, helps treat patients with generalized anxiety disorder. Doctors usually prescribe anxiety medication in low doses and gradually increase the dosage until the desired effect is reached.
Physical Effects
Beta blockers can help patients with social phobias and treat anxiety symptoms such as pounding heart or other symptoms of fear. Beta blockers were developed to treat heart conditions, but they may help keep physical symptoms of anxiety under control. However, the drugs are best used infrequently, according to MayoClinic.com. A patient who fears speaking at a public event, for example, can use beta blockers for a calming effect and reduce physical symptoms. The drugs are not used for overall treatment of social anxiety.
Warning
SSRIs and SNRIs are newer antidepressants and cause fewer side effects than older drugs. They may still result in nausea and nervousness when first taken. Insomnia, headache, weight gain and sexual dysfunction may occur in some patients. However, readjusting the dosage or switching medication can correct problems, according to the NIMH. Tricyclics may produce dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth and weight gain, which can be helped with medication readjustments. MAOIs have serious side effects when combined with certain foods and medications. They can cause confusion, seizures and changes in blood pressure when not taken carefully. Doctors instruct patients on foods and medications to avoid when taking MAOIs. Benzodiazepines, anti-anxiety drugs, can cause addiction. Doctors prescribe them for acute anxiety during a short period. Buspirone does not have the habit-forming effects but may cause dizziness, headaches and nausea.
