Medication
Certain medications may also be used to treat pathological anxiety. These medications may be prescribed by either your healthcare provider or psychiatrist. The most common of these medications include:
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs): These medications are highly recommended to treat anxiety, they include sertraline, fluoxetine, citalopram, paroxetine, and escitalopram.
- Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake: These medications are as effective as SSRIs and are considered first-line treatment. They include venlafaxine and duloxetine.
- Beta-blockers: These medications help control physical anxiety symptoms, such as dizziness, rapid heart rate, and sweating. They include atenolol and propranolol.
- Tricyclic antidepressants: Examples of tricyclic antidepressants are amitriptyline, imipramine, and nortriptyline. While these are effective in treating anxiety, they also have some significant side effects.
- Benzodiazepines: Examples of benzodiazepines are clonazepam, diazepam, and lorazepam. They are used for short-term anxiety management as they are fast-acting. They help induce relaxation and reduce muscular tension but they can result in tolerance and dependency problems.
- Buspirone: This is a mild tranquilizer that takes around two weeks to start working. It also has less potential for dependence and has minimal withdrawal effects.