Unlike benzodiazepines, which act quickly, most antidepressants take several weeks to produce any improvement in your feelings or anxiety symptoms. Some of these chemicals, such as serotonin, play a major role in the regulation of your moods, feelings of happiness and anxiety levels. Most antidepressants work by changing the levels of certain chemicals in your brain and body, called neurotransmitters. AntidepressantsĪntidepressants are best known as treatments for depression, but many are also used to treat anxiety disorders. Make sure to inform your healthcare provider if you ever experience any side effects while using a benzodiazepine to treat anxiety.
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If you’re prescribed a benzodiazepine, your healthcare provider may instruct you to only use it for a few weeks, or as an as-needed medication for when you suddenly experience intense or severe anxiety symptoms. Some people may experience physical withdrawal symptoms after stopping benzodiazepine use, even after using this type of medication for just a few weeks.īecause of these risks, healthcare providers generally only prescribe benzodiazepines to treat anxiety in the short term. Second, it’s possible to become dependent on benzodiazepines. If you’re prescribed a medication in this class, you may find that its effects become weaker over time.Ī dose that worked for you a few weeks ago, for example, may no longer do much to calm your anxiety symptoms. Your mental health care provider may prescribe a benzodiazepine if you need short-term relief from your anxiety symptoms, or if you’re affected by acute anxiety.īenzodiazepines are often used to treat panic disorder, which can involve sudden, intense symptoms.Īlthough benzodiazepines are effective at controlling anxiety, they have several disadvantages that mean they may not be suitable for everyone.įirst, many people develop a tolerance to benzodiazepines. Many common benzodiazepines produce a noticeable calming effect in less than one hour.īenzodiazepines that are often prescribed to treat anxiety include diazepam (Valium®), alprazolam (Xanax®), lorazepam (Ativan®) and clonazepam (Klonopin®). One of the main advantages of benzodiazepines is that they start working quickly to reduce the severity of anxiety. In fact, research suggests that 12.5 percent of all adults in the United States have used benzodiazepines at some point. Many benzodiazepines are widely prescribed. They work by enhancing the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) - a neurotransmitter that slows activity in your brain and central nervous system. Benzodiazepinesīenzodiazepines are popular medications used to treat anxiety, insomnia, agitation and other conditions.
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Some anxiety medications work very quickly, while others may take several weeks to produce noticeable improvements in your symptoms.īelow are the most widely used anxiety medications, along with information about how each medication works to treat and manage anxiety. Medications used to treat anxiety include benzodiazepines, antidepressants, beta-blockers and buspirone.Īlthough all anxiety medications are effective for most people, they can vary in their effects and side effects. If you’ve been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, your mental health care provider may prescribe medication for use on its own or in combination with a form of psychotherapy. Explore services start evaluation Common Anxiety MedicationsĪnxiety is commonly treated with medication.