Anxiety is the most common mental health condition in the U.S. For nearly 30% of adults, it will rise to the level of a clinical disorder at some point, according to the American Psychiatric Association.
A diagnosis can be frightening. Relief can feel out of reach. But the truth is, anxiety disorders are considered some of the most treatable of all mental health disorders. Strategies include medication, therapy and lifestyle changes. Used alone or in combination, they can help you manage your symptoms and return to a productive, satisfying life. To help you navigate your options, we tapped the experts. Keep reading to learn more.
1. What are the most common medications used for anxiety and how do they work?
You’ve likely heard of the medications Prozac® and Zoloft®, which are often used to treat depression. These same drugs are also used to treat anxiety. They’re part of a class of medications known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). “They work by increasing levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter [or brain chemical] that helps regulate mood and sleep, both of which are [negatively] affected by anxiety,” says Joy Alonzo, PharmD. He’s a clinical assistant professor of pharmacy practice at the Texas A&M Rangel College of Pharmacy in College Station.
SSRIs commonly used for anxiety include (click each drug name to access coupons instantly):
2. How quickly do SSRIs take effect?
For anxiety specifically, SSRIs can take 8 to 10 weeks to fully kick in. But you may notice minor improvements in just 2 to 4 weeks. At that point, you might find that your sleep is improving, and your anxiety may become less intense.
3. What are some medications that can help in the moment when my anxiety feels overwhelming?
A class of medications called benzodiazepines is very effective at calming anxiety. They’re among the most prescribed medications in the U.S. They work quickly — within an hour, sometimes faster. This makes them helpful for people experiencing severe anxiety attacks, sometimes called panic attacks.
Benzodiazepines are sedating, so they can help you fall asleep. They relax your muscles, and by slowing the brain and nervous system, they help quiet racing thoughts and worries.
Benzodiazepines commonly used for anxiety include:
Interestingly, a medication called buspirone (BuSpar®) can treat anxiety both in the moment and over the course of weeks or months. “It’s in a class by itself,” Alonzo says. “It can work right away.” You can take it for immediate relief, she says, or take it daily while starting on an SSRI. “Then as the SSRI starts to work, you may wean off the buspirone and just take it as needed.”
Curious to learn more about lorazepam? We have a guide for that. Learn more here.
4. How will I know my medication is working?
SSRIs don’t kick in suddenly. Rather, “it happens subtly,” Alonzo says. “Patients often notice more capacity to deal with stress, and they notice they’re sleeping better as their anxiety improves.” The medication can be very effective, but it takes time, she says.
Your doctor should schedule a checkup with you within the first month or so of treatment. That’s an opportunity to discuss how things are going. If you don’t experience significant improvement after 8 to 10 weeks, you may need a higher dose or a different medication, which your doctor can prescribe.
Benzodiazepines are different. With them, you’ll know right away that they’re working. They provide a sense of euphoria or general well-being, Alonzo explains. But the immediate relief from anxiety also gives them the potential to be addictive. People who begin taking the medication more than is necessary may find that they need increasingly higher doses to get the same effect.
5. Are there side effects?
All medications carry side effects, and you should ask your doctor about your specific prescription. In general, SSRI side effects are mild but may include nausea and stomach upset (more so in the beginning). They could also cause headaches, dry mouth, sleep difficulties, sexual problems (inability to orgasm or poor sex drive) and more.
Buspirone tends to cause few side effects that can include headache, nausea, dizziness, drowsiness or changes in dreaming, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
Benzodiazepines can cause drowsiness, slurred speech, muscle weakness and confusion. And because of the addiction potential, “your physician will think long and hard [before prescribing them],” Alonzo says. Never mix benzodiazepines with alcohol, opioids (prescription pain relievers or illegal substances such as heroin and fentanyl) or other medications. This can lead to a coma or even death.
