Medications for Generalized Anxiety

Generalized Anxiety Disorder patients often need medications prescribed to them. Chemical imbalances in the brain can produce feelings of irritability, restlessness, worry and even paranoia to the point where normal life is interrupted. Medications like antidepressants can help regulate these symptoms, allowing for talk therapy and other treatments to be more effective.

Neurotransmitters

• Anxiety medications often target certain neurotransmitters in the brain by controlling their levels and presence. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that is responsible for inducing calm; levels of serotonin are often low in people with anxiety. Norepinephrine is a stress hormone that is released during "fight or flight" moments; anxiety patients sometimes have too much. The transmitter dopamine's function is to reinforce positive feelings.

SSRIs

• Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) like Lexapro work by limiting the brain's ability to reabsorb serotonin. With more serotonin present, there are better chances of reducing anxiety symptoms such as insomnia and irritability. Side effects of some SSRIs include inhibited libido, agitation and dry mouth. Extended or controlled release SSRIs can reduce side effects.

MAOIs

• Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) like Parnate prevent the breakdown of monoamine oxidase. Monoamine helps transport serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. Once they transport those transmitters, monoamine oxidase absorbs them. If the brain absorbs too many MAOIs, a chemical balance can occur. MAOIs, however, are often the last medications prescribed because they tend to have negative interactions with other medications and bodily functions.

Anxiolytics

• An anxiolytic like Xanax actually enhances the natural calming functions of anxiety patients' brains. Anxiolytics in the Benzodiazepine class work by targeting gamma aminobutyric acid, also known as GABA. GABA induces calmness by regulating the energy levels of brain cells that are stimulated by excited neurotransmitters like adrenaline. Side effects of Xanax are usually present at the beginning of treatment. These include lethargy, sleepiness and light-headedness. There may also be loss of appetite or sexual desire.

Other Medications

• Sometimes other classes of medications are prescribed to anxiety patients if the typical prescriptions do not work or other conditions are present. Tricyclics such as Adapin are an anti-depressant type that limit reuptake of both serotonin and norepinephrine. Atypical antipsychotics like Abilify can treat psychosis symptoms like paranoia and disorganized thinking. Beta blockers control heart rate and blood pressure, which sometimes consistently rise in anxiety patients.