Anxiety Drug Treatment

Anxiety is a natural reaction to stress that helps people cope with difficult situations. However, when anxiety becomes overwhelming or uncontrollable, it can be a debilitating disorder that requires medical attention. Before treatment can commence, a doctor must evaluate the symptoms to diagnose accurately. Anxiety can be treated with prescribed medication and/or psychotherapy.

Treatment

• Treatment for anxiety disorders relies on the patient's individual preference and problem. Anxiety disorders are accompanied often by depression and substance abuse. It is important to have coexisting conditions treated first.

  Medication and psychotherapy are the two options for treatment. Medication is described in three categories: antidepressants (SSRIs, tryicyclics and MAOIs), anti-anxiety drugs and beta-blockers. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a form psychotherapy that focuses on feelings and actions.

Drugs

• Antidepressants treat depression but also have been found to be successful for anxiety. Antidepressants alter the brain chemistry and the effects may take four to six weeks to notice. SSRIs are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors that alter neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain, causing brain cells to communicate better. Tricyclics raise serotonin and norepineprine levels in the brain, which slow the re-absorption by nerve cells. MAOIs are monoamine oxidase inhibitors that increase the availability of monoamine neurotransmitters.

  Anti-anxiety drugs are potent benzodiazepines that are usually prescribed for short time periods. Anxiety can return when medication is stopped and some patients experience withdrawal symptoms.

  Beta-blockers prevent the physical symptoms of some anxiety disorders, such as social phobia. Beta-blockers also treat heart conditions and can be taken before a stressful event, such as public speaking.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

• Although medication treats the symptoms of anxiety disorders, therapy attempts to treat the underlying cause of anxiety. Patients need to alter their thinking pattern and the way they react to anxiety-inducing situations. Therapy can be in support groups or individually.

  Cognitive-behavioral therapy aids individuals in changing their thought process. Because behavior change is difficult, those in therapy are usually given homework. Many times, therapy and medication are recommended by a physician. The physician or patient decides when therapy ends, which averages 16 sessions.

Medical History

• If the patient had prior treatment, a detailed report should be provided to the physician. Prior medication history should include side effects, dosage, length of treatment, whether dosage increased or decreased and if the treatment was successful. For the history of psychotherapy treatment, include what kind of therapy, attendance frequency and whether therapy worked.