Medication Treatment Options for Anxiety

A former president of the American and California Societies for Adolescent Psychiatry, Dr. Joseph Kenan possesses decades of experience in clinical psychiatry and research. Dr. Joseph Kenan specializes in psychopharmacology and develops medication treatment plans for patients with various mental health disorders, including depression and anxiety.

Anxiety disorders are often treated with a combination of talk therapy, lifestyle changes, and prescription medication. Some of the most commonly prescribed classes of anti-anxiety drugs include:

Antidepressants
Drugs such as sertraline and fluoxetine gradually increase the amount of the neurotransmitter serotonin that is released by the brain. This can help regulate an individual’s mood and regulate their eating and sleeping patterns, therefore improving anxiety symptoms.

Beta-blockers
Beta-blockers counter the effects of stress hormones on the body. While they reduce physical symptoms provoked by anxiety, they do not treat the underlying causes. Drugs like Inderal are best used to help individuals get through single, anxiety-producing situations, such as giving a presentation before a large audience.

Sedatives
Benzodiazepines and other tranquilizers are fast-acting and reduce anxiety symptoms within an hour and a half. While they are suitable for calming an individual in the midst of an anxiety attack, sedatives have a high risk of dependency. It is not advised to take sedatives for more than 4 weeks at a time.