Medical Treatment for Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders are a group of disorders that are characterized by symptoms of extreme worry and physical feelings of stress or panic. The National Institute of Mental Health recognizes five different categories of anxiety disorders: generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, and social phobia. Treatments for anxiety disorders are determined by health care professionals based upon the needs of the specific individual. In the majority of cases, anxiety disorders can be successfully treated through a comprehensive plan that includes medical and psychological interventions.

Antidepressants

• The staff of the Mayo Clinic states that antidepressants are often effective in treating the symptoms of anxiety. They serve to alter faulty brain chemistry, reducing anxiety symptoms in many individuals. There are several different kinds of antidepressant medications, the most commonly prescribed being the newest group, SSRIs. SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) regulate the absorption of the neurotransmitter serotonin, which can decrease both symptoms of depression and feelings of anxiety.

Tranquilizers

• Tranquilizers are medications that help relieve anxiety by causing the nervous system to slow down. They are generally prescribed only for severe anxiety symptoms and only for short-term use, as long-term use can lead to dependency. Tranquilizers (or benzodiazepines) include medications such as Xanax, Klonopin and Valium. All of these medications can provide fast and effective symptom relief, but come with a higher side effect profile than antidepressants. The non-profit mental health resource, Healthguide, lists side effects such as problems with coordination, slurred speech, confusion or disorientation, and memory loss.

New Anti-Anxiety Medication

• The medication Buspar (generic name Buspirone) is a newer type of tranquilizer that is slower-acting than the older ones, such as Xanax. It has the same effect, which is to slow the nervous system, but works in a milder way, and can take up to two weeks to reach full effectiveness. Buspar has several advantages over other tranquilizers in that it is less sedating and is less addictive.

Beta Blockers

• Beta blockers such as Inderal, which are typically prescribed for heart conditions, can help to control the physical symptoms of stress and panic that often accompany anxiety disorders. Mental health resource, Helpguide, notes that they work by blocking the effects of the stress hormone, norepinephrine. This hormone is responsible for the "fight or flight" response in humans and creates uncomfortable physical symptoms such as increased heart rate and palpitations, dizziness and shaking.

Psychotherapy

• There are several different types of counseling which may be of benefit to individuals with anxiety disorders. Talking to a mental health professional can help patients to identify triggers for anxiety symptoms, learn more about their condition and practice coping skills. Helpguide suggests that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is particularly effective for anxiety sufferers. CBT involves both learning to change unwanted thought patterns and to subsequently modify negative behaviors that can accompany these thoughts.

Lifestyle Changes

• Harvard-trained Michael Kahn, M.D., points out that there are many simple lifestyle changes that people with anxiety can do to reduce the severity and frequency of their symptoms. He cites caffeine and nicotine as substances that serve as stimulants and suggests that patients avoid them. Getting a healthy amount of rest and eating a balanced diet can also help to keep symptoms at bay. Most importantly, it is vital that patients are compliant with their treatment regimen in order to receive the full effects of the medications and therapy.