Beta Blockers for Anxiety Treatment

Beta blockers are medications that are prescribed to treat a variety of disorders. The most common conditions where beta blockers are used are high blood pressure, glaucoma and migraines; however, beta blockers can also be used as a treatment for anxiety. Since beta blockers have an interaction with blood pressure, they can help reduce the symptoms associated with anxiety. However, like all medications, beta blockers carry risks, especially if too much is taken.

Types of Beta Blockers

• Beta blockers are helpful in reducing the anxiety in panic disorders, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social phobias and specific phobias, especially in patients who exhibit heart problems or tremors as symptoms. Types of beta blockers used specifically for anxiety treatment include propranolol, atenolol and pindolo. Anxiety sufferers who choose to use beta blockers can opt for a single dosage for isolated incidents or regular dosage if the anxiety is chronic. Beta blockers have a rapid onset, which can be ideal for treating panic attacks.

Anxiety Reduction

• Beta blockers mainly treat anxiety by blocking the effects of two neurotransmitters, adrenaline and noradrenaline, at beta receptors, thus giving these medications their names. Adrenaline and noradrenaline are released when a person feels anxious, and they can be at a higher level if a person suffers from chronic anxiety. The anti-anxiety effects of beta blockers are regulated by the peripheral, or outer, receptors instead of centrally.

  However, beta blockers have no direct effect on anxiety. Instead, beta blockers act by reducing the patient's response to anxiety, such as tremors and cardiac response. By decreasing the effects of anxiety, beta blockers diminish the patient's thoughts that he is experiencing anxiety.

Side Effects

• Beta blockers are not without side effects. One of the side effects can actually increase a person's anxiety. Use of beta blockers can increase peristalsis in the gastrointestinal tract, thus exaggerating the effects of anxiety on that system. Symptoms of this type of anxiety reaction include cramps, diarrhea and a feeling of nausea.

  A high dosage of beta blockers can be dangerous. When beta blockers are taken at a low dosage, they cannot cross the blood-brain barrier, which surrounds the brain and protects it; at this level, taking beta blockers is safe. However, in high-enough quantities, beta blockers can pass through the blood-brain barrier and cause serious side effects. These side effects include fatigue, vivid dreams, depression and delirium.