Anxiety is a feeling that everyone goes through from time to time. When it appears in small doses, it can actually be beneficial. For example, experiencing anxiety right before a sporting event can help give you motivation to be at your best. But when anxiety gets to the point where it is affecting every aspect of your life, you may need to get treatment. Medications are one option. They are used to keep anxiety under control and they need to be prescribed by a psychiatrist or physician.
Step 1
Get your serotonin levels balanced out. Serotonin is a brain chemical (neurotransmitter) that helps regulate mood. When your levels are out of sync, your anxiety can be exacerbated. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are antidepressants that can be used to alter the brain levels of serotonin and get them back into balance. Examples of these are escitalopram, fluoxetine, venlafaxine, paroxetine and citalopram.
Step 2
Use an older medication. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are antidepressants that are one of the oldest forms. These drugs are especially useful if you have social phobia and panic disorders along with anxiety. Examples of these are tranylcypromine, isocarboxazid and phenelzine.
Step 3
Start at a low dose. Tricyclics are medications that are started at a lower dose and gradually increased to higher levels. Two examples of these are clomipramine and imipramine.
Step 4
Use a short-term medication. Benzodiazepines are strong anxiety drugs that can cause people to become addicted. For that reason, they are only prescribed for short time frames. Dependency can especially take place with people who have formally been addicted to other drugs or alcohol. Examples of benzodiazepines are lorazepam, clonazepam and alprazolam.
Step 5
Use an ongoing medication. Buspirone is a medication that can be taken for long periods of time and it needs to be used for at least two weeks before any effect can be seen.
Step 6
Get your physical symptoms treated. Beta-blockers are heart condition medications that can also be used for anxiety. If you have social phobia, these are especially beneficial. Propranolol is an examples of one of these medications.
