Understanding Anxiety Medication: Benefits and Uses

Anxiety can interfere with every aspect of life such as relationships, work and social interactions. Generally, medication, along with cognitive-behavioral therapy, will be prescribed to help get anxiety under control. The medication used will depend on your specific type of anxiety and your doctor's recommendations.

Anxiety

• Anxiety is considered constant and repetitive worry. A person with anxiety will often describe the situation as not being able to stop thinking. This can lead to insomnia and depression. There are four types of medication prescribed to help anxiety patients.

Benzodiazepines

• The benefits of benzodiazepines, such as diazepam and lorazepam, are numerous. They help to relieve tension and increase relaxation. These are typically used for short periods of time.

Anti-depressants

• Anti-depressants may be prescribed as well. The benefits of these medications as they relate to anxiety are improved mood and energy. This should help to begin breaking the pattern of anxiety, depression and insomnia.

SSRIs

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor's work to block the reuptake of serotonin resulting in improved mood. Drugs such as citalopram and fluoxetine are types of SSRIs.

SNRIs

• Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, or SNRIs, work to block the uptake of serotonin and norepinephrine. They are also commonly prescribed to treat anxiety and will provide for elevated mood and reduced anxiety.