Medications That Treat Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder are persistent, occurring nearly every day or most days, and are significant enough to cause distress and impairment in functioning. These symptoms include excessive worrying over small issues without much provocation, bouts of irritability and tension, problems sleeping, difficulty concentrating, fatigue and feeling keyed-up or on edge. People with generalized anxiety disorder may commonly be known as "worry warts." Psychological counseling combined with the use of prescription medications is an effective way to manage the symptoms that interfere with daily life.

Anti-Anxiety Medications

• Taking an anti-anxiety medication, otherwise known as an anxiolytic, can be particularly helpful. This drug category includes medications such as gabapentin and buspirone. These medications are taken daily to calm anxiety symptoms so the person can function better at school, work, home and in the community. These medications do not have the addictive quality that is characteristic of some of the other types of anti-anxiety medications.

Benzodiazepines

• Using a benzodiazepine for symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder has an immediate calming effect. Benzodiazepines can be very sedating, so caution is necessary when first starting the medication. Medications such as Xanax and Valium can be habit-forming in addition to having a "street value," meaning that people tend to abuse and sell these drugs illegally. These medications can be taken daily or on an as-needed basis.

Antidepressants

• Taking an antidepressant for generalized anxiety disorder is often prescribed by doctors to manage symptoms. Some antidepressants such as Wellbutrin, Cymbalta, Remeron or Effexor are effecitve in treating the everyday experience of worry and anxiety that is common with this condition. A secondary benefit of these medications is to elevate mood, which can sometimes be affected in individuals with generalized anxiety disorder.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI's) are the antidepressant of choice for patients with generalized anxiety disorder. Medications such as Prozac and Zoloft are well known, cost less and typically have fewer side effects than other medications. These medications are safe and can be taken daily without risk of addiction. These medications address both anxiety and mood.

Other Medications

• Taking a medication outside of these classifications can be an option for people with generalized anxiety disorder. Sometimes a physician may recommend atypical antipsychotics or mood stabilizers to manage anxiety symptoms if other types of drugs have been ineffective. Atypical antipsychotics include medications such as Abilify, Zyprexa or Risperdal. These medications calm excessive worry and paranoia that can be associated with severe cases of generalized anxiety disorder. Mood stabilizers such as Depakote, Tegretol or Lamictal may be used if the anxiety is also associated with mood swings and intense irritability or agitation.