For some people, anxiety is a normal reaction to stress. But for others, anxiety is disabling, becoming so severe that it limits their ability to function from day to day. This is when medication may be prescribed. And just as there is more than one type of anxiety disorder, there is more than one type of medication used to treat a disorder.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, SSRIs are the first type of drug used in the treatment of anxiety. Considered antidepressants, SSRIs work by balancing serotonin levels in the brain. By doing so, the cells in the brain are able to communicate more effectively, thus reducing the symptoms of anxiety.
A number of medications are considered SSRIs; the drug you are prescribed depends on the specific anxiety disorder you suffer from. The National Institutes of Health states that fluoxetine and sertraline appear to be more effective for panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and social phobias, while venlafaxine is more commonly prescribed for general anxiety disorder.
Benzodiazepines
While benzodiazepines have been the primary class of drugs used to treat anxiety, they are not necessarily the best for long-term use because of the risk of dependency. They produce fewer side effects than most drugs, perhaps the most severe being drowsiness. Patients who become addicted and take the drugs longer than intended may suffer more serious side effects.
Because of their quick onset, benzodiazepines work well for those who suffer from panic attacks; relief from symptoms is usually felt within one hour, according to HelpGuide.org. In some cases, these drugs can be used to treat social and generalized anxiety disorders. The most common drugs in this class include clonazepam, which is used for both social phobia and general anxiety disorder, and alprazolam, which is used to treat panic attacks and general anxiety disorder.
Beta-Blockers
Typically used to treat high blood pressure, beta-blockers help relieve the physical symptoms that anxiety disorder produces. They work by blocking the nerves that cause the heart to beat faster, thus helping the person to relax.
Beta-blockers, which are more effective for those who suffer from social phobias and performance anxiety, work the best when taken prior to a situation that will cause the symptoms of anxiety to occur. The most common beta-blockers prescribed are propranolol and atenolol.
