Anxiety disorders are characterized by excessive worry or abnormal reactions to stress. Major types of anxiety disorders include social phobias, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Several medications for high anxiety are available to treat the symptoms and make them more manageable for an individual.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines are depressants used to treat physical and psychological disorders, including anxiety. Side effects of benzodiazepines range in severity from mild to severe depending on the drug, dosage and characteristics of the person taking the drug. In low doses, benzodiazepines can cause confusion, depression, loss of coordination, drowsiness, slurred speech, vision changes, nausea, dry mouth, constipation and tremors. High doses of these drugs can cause mood swings, euphoria, hostile behavior and slowed reflexes. Benzodiazepines used to treat anxiety include chlordiazepoxide, alprazolam and diazepam.
Beta Blockers
Beta blockers are often used to treat high blood pressure and other heart conditions, but they have shown promise in treating some cases of anxiety. These drugs work by blocking the nerve impulses that cause heart rate to increase. Physicians from the University of Maryland Medical Center indicate that this drug class is most useful when it is used for treating performance anxiety and phobias. Beta blockers do not completely eliminate anxiety, but they reduce rapid heart rate and other anxiety symptoms. Atenolol and propranolol are beta blockers used as anti-anxiety drugs.
SSRIs
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are drugs that increase the amount of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that scientists believe is linked to anxiety disorders and depression. While SSRI drugs have fewer side effects than other anti-anxiety drugs and antidepressants, they can still cause nausea, agitation, insomnia, nervousness, headache and decreased libido. Examples of SSRIs for anxiety include sertraline, fluoxetine and paroxetine.
Atypical Antidepressants
Atypical antidepressants can be used to treat chronic anxiety, mixed depression and anxiety and panic disorder. These drugs balance the chemicals in the brain so that anxiety symptoms are improved. In addition to balancing serotonin levels, this type of medication also affects dopamine and norepinephrine levels. Atypical antidepressants can cause side effects, such as weight gain, nausea, drowsiness, dry mouth, nervousness, blurred vision and fatigue. These drugs have not been approved for use in anyone under the age of 18, according to the University of California at San Diego. Mirtazapine, trazodone and nefazodone are atypical antidepressants used for anxiety treatment.
Anticonvulsants
While anticonvulsants are usually used to treat seizures disorders, such as epilepsy, they have also shown promise in treating some types of anxiety. In a literature review published in the June 2007 issue of the "Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology," researchers from the University of Pisa indicated that pregabalin, gabapentin and lamotrigine have shown the most promise in treating anxiety disorders. Pregabalin can be used to treat general anxiety disorder and social phobias, while gabapentin is used for social anxiety. Lamotrigine is used to treat post-traumatic stress disorder.
