Anti-Anxiety Medication
Experience Relief in Colorado Springs
Break Free From Your Anxiety
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the United States, affecting approximately 40 million adults ages 18 and older each year. Fortunately, anxiety disorders are highly treatable through a combination of medication, therapy, and alternative treatments such as Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, but only for those who seek help. At Family Care Center in Colorado Springs, we specialize in outpatient behavioral health services for military veterans and their families, as well as non-military individuals of all ages who are struggling with their mental health.
We offer comprehensive medication management services, including anti-anxiety medications, sometimes known as anxiolytics. Discover more about anxiety disorders and anti-anxiety medications below, then get in touch with our Colorado Springs clinic today to schedule an initial appointment.
Types of Anti-Anxiety Medications
Benzodiazepines
Buspirone
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
Antihistamines
Sympatholytics
Anxiety Treatment
The 5 Major Types of Anxiety Disorders
While many mental health conditions have anxiety as a symptom, most psychiatrists recognize five major types of anxiety disorders: Anxiety disorders involve more than just temporary worry and fear. Unlike someone who may be anxious because of an upcoming test or a problem at work, anxiety does not go away once the issue is dealt with, but rather is a chronic condition that can get worse over time, negatively affecting nearly all aspects of a person’s life.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD):
Generalized anxiety disorder can occur at any age, and is characterized by persistent and excessive worry that lasts for at least 6 months. An estimated 5.7% of U.S. adults will experience GAD at some point in their lives, making it the most prevalent type of anxiety disorder. A person with GAD will worry on a daily basis about a number of different things, such as personal health, work, money, family, social interactions, and everyday life circumstances. Some common symptoms of GAD include:
Restlessness or constantly feeling on edge
Irritability
Being easily fatigued
Difficulty concentrating or brain fog
Muscle tension
Insomnia
Sweating
Trembling
Panic Disorder:
People with panic disorder have recurrent and unexpected panic attacks. Panic attacks are episodes of intense fear accompanied by a variety of physical symptoms. They often reach their peak within minutes, and occur unexpectedly or may be brought on by a trigger. People with panic disorder often worry when their next attack will happen and will actively try to prevent future attacks, at the detriment of other aspects of their life. Symptoms of a panic attack and panic disorder include:
Heart palpitations, a pounding heart, or an accelerated heart rate
Sweating
Trembling or shaking
Shortness of breath
A sense of impending doom
Feeling out of control
Phobia-Related Disorders:
A phobia is an intense fear of a certain object or situation that is disproportionate to any actual danger. Phobia-related disorders are characterized by overwhelming anxiety and, in the case of social phobias, excessive self-consciousness. People with a phobia will often take active steps to avoid the feared object or situation.There are many different types of phobias and phobia-related disorders, including:
Social phobia (often referred to as social anxiety disorder):
People with social phobia experience intense fear of being judged or rejected in social situations. As a result, they often avoid social situations altogether. When a social situation cannot be avoided, they will experience strong emotional and physical symptoms, such as a rapid heart rate, nausea, sweating, blushing, or even full-blown panic attacks. For some people with social phobia, their symptoms are so severe that they occur almost anytime they are around other people.
Specific phobias (sometimes called simple phobias):
As their name suggests, specific phobias are phobias characterized by intense anxiety around a specific type of object or situation. Some examples of specific phobias include a fear of flying, heights, dogs, spiders, receiving injections, vomiting, or blood.
Agoraphobia:
Agoraphobia is a fear of being in environments that are perceived as unsafe or where escape may be difficult, such as open spaces, public transit, busy shopping centers, or — in its most severe form — anytime a person is outside of their home. People with agoraphobia will often experience feelings of helplessness, panic, embarrassment, and fear, as well as physical symptoms such as chest pain, an accelerated heart rate, shortness of breath, and sweating.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD):
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a type of anxiety disorder that is characterized by recurrent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and/or repetitive behaviors (compulsions). Gratifying these intrusive thoughts or behaviors provides only temporary relief and resisting them creates a marked increase in anxiety. Common obsessions include:
The thought of a loved one dying
The thought that a loved one is unsafe
The thought that an environment or relationship is somehow “off” or unbalanced
The thought that there is something “wrong” with your sexuality
Excessive guilt and/or fear about harming yourself or someone else
Common compulsions include:
Hand washing
Cleaning
Repeatedly checking things (ex. locks on doors)
Counting, tapping, or repeating certain words
Ordering or arranging things “just so”
Hoarding objects
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD):
At Family Care Center, one of our specialties is treating veterans and other individuals who have been affected by post-traumatic stress disorder. PTSD is a complex, although treatable, condition that requires several different modes of treatment. PTSD affects 7.7. million adults, or 3.5% of the U.S. population, with a slightly higher incidence in women than men. PTSD is developed after a person sees or experiences a traumatic event, such as combat, rape, or an accident. Some common symptoms of PTSD include:
Re-experiencing the trauma via nightmares or flashbacks
Emotional numbness
Irritability or increased anger
Jumpiness
Avoidance of places, people, and activities that are reminders of the trauma
Insomnia
Feelings of intense blame and guilt
Difficulty concentrating
What Causes Anxiety Disorders?
Anxiety disorders are complex conditions that may be brought on by a number of different causes, including:
Genetics
Environment
Stress
Trauma
Drugs
Medical conditions
Commonly Prescribed Anti-Anxiety Medications
Benzodiazepines
Sometimes referred to as “benzos,” benzodiazepines are a class of psychoactive drugs used to treat anxiety, panic attacks, depression, insomnia, seizures, alcohol withdrawal, and other medical conditions. Benzodiazepines are generally considered safe and effective for short-term use (2-4 weeks), although long-term use may cause adverse effects. Benzodiazepines are not recommended for those with a history of substance abuse.
Types
Alprazolam (Xanax)
Clonazepam (Klonopin)
Chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
Diazepam (Valium)
Lorazepam (Ativan)
Temazepam (Restoril)
Triazolam (Halcion)
Possible Side Effects
Drowsiness
Dizziness
Confusion
Loss of coordination
Decreased libido
Nausea
Amnesia
Physical dependence
Paradoxical reactions (aggression, violence, irritability, depression, suicidality)
Buspirone
Buspirone is an anxiolytic that affects chemicals in the brain that may be unbalanced in those with anxiety disorders. It is used to treat symptoms of anxiety such as fear, tension, irritability, pounding heartbeat, and other physical symptoms.
Types
Buspirone (BuSpar)
Possible Side Effects
Nausea
Headaches
Dizziness or lightheadedness
Drowsiness
Blurred vision
Vivid dreams and/or difficulty sleeping
Paradoxical reactions (nervousness, restlessness, agitation)
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
SSRIs are a type of antidepressant that can help decrease anxiety and comorbid depression by increasing the level of the feel-good chemical serotonin in the brain. SSRIs have been shown to be particularly effective for OCD and OCD-related disorders. SSRIs are some of the most widely used psychiatric medications today, thanks to their safety compared to other antidepressants.
Types
Citalopram (Celexa)
Fluoxetine (Prozac)
Escitalopram (Lexapro)
Fluvoxamine (Luvox)
Paroxetine (Paxil)
Sertraline (Zoloft)
Possible Side Effects
Nausea
Diarrhea
Jaw pain
Loss of libido
Blurred vision
Dry mouth
Agitation
Paradoxical reactions (agitation, depression, suicidality)
Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)
SNRIs are another, newer antidepressant medication that work similarly to SSRIs, and have been shown to be just as effective in the treatment of anxiety disorders.
Types
Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq)
Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
Venlafaxine (Effexor)
Levomilnacipran (Fetzima)
Milnacipran (Ixel, Savella)
Possible Side Effects:
Nausea or vomiting
Sweating
Loss of appetite
Dizziness
Headache
Sexual dysfunction
Paradoxical reactions (agitation, depression, suicidality)
Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs)
Tricyclic antidepressants are an older class of antidepressants that are named after their three-ringed structure. Compared to newer antidepressants, side effects are more likely and generally more severe, however some patients may find them beneficial as a second-line treatment.
Types
Amitriptyline (Elavil)
Clomipramine (Anafranil)
Desipramine (Norpramin)
Imipramine (Tofranil)
Nortriptyline (Pamelor)
Opipramol (Insidon)
Protriptyline (Vivactil)
Trimipramine (Surmontil)
Possible Side Effects:
Dry mouth
Dry nose
Blurry vision
Constipation
Urinary retention
Cognitive impairment
Increased body temperature
Paradoxical reactions (agitation, depression, suicidality)
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs)
Because these powerful antidepressants may react negatively with certain foods, they are not supported as a first-line treatment, but have sometimes been hugely beneficial to those who don’t react to other classes of antidepressants.
Types
Phenelzine (Nardil)
Tranylcypromine (Parnate)
Isocarboxazid (Marplan)
Selegiline (Eldepryl)
Possible Side Effects:
Dry mouth
Nausea
Diarrhea
Headache
Drowsiness
Insomnia
Reduced libido
Weight gain
Interactions with other medications
Hypertensive crisis when taken with certain foods (potentially fatal)
Paradoxical reactions (agitation, depression, suicidality)
Antihistamines
Although generally known for their anti-allergen properties, antihistamines have been shown to be as effective as benzodiazepines in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder, while producing fewer side effects.
Types
Hydroxyzine (Atarax, Vistaril)
Possible Side Effects:
Sedation
Loss of coordination
Hypotension
Tinnitus
Headaches
Sympatholytics
Sympatholytics, often referred to as beta blockers, are a category of medications that work by inhibiting activity within the sympathetic nervous system. Although they are most commonly used to lower high blood pressure, sympatholytics have been shown to have anxiolytic effects and may be particularly useful as an off-label treatment with PTSD or social anxiety.
Types
Acebutolol (Sectral)
Bisoprolol (Zebeta)
Carvedilol (Coreg)
Propranolol (Inderal)
Atenolol (Tenormin)
Metoprolol (Lopressor)
Possible Side Effects:
Fatigue
Cold hands and feet
Headache
Dizziness or lightheadedness
Shortness of breath
Vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation
Depression
Heal With Family Care Center
At Family Care Center, we believe that a combination of medication, counseling, and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation is the best way to combat anxiety disorders. If you’re interested in learning more about our behavioral health center in Colorado Springs, get in touch with Family Care Center today. We look forward to helping you heal.