Anxiety Attack Medications
Written by: Jillian Treadway
Anxiety Attack Medications
Anxiety attacks can become so severe that a person needs treatment in order to deal with the symptoms. While therapy is highly recommended in order to determine the underlying cause, individuals are usually prescribed some sort of medication for anxiety as well. While they do not get rid of the anxiety attacks, they can severely lessen the effects of the symptoms. Here are some examples of the anxiety attack medications used to treat anxiety attacks.
Antidepressants
Most of the time, patients are prescribed an antidepressant in order to help them control their anxiety attacks. It can relieve some of the fear, rapid heart rate, sweating, flushing, respiration rate and more. It can also significantly reduce the fear that is felt by a person going through an anxiety attack. There are many different types of antidepressants and depending upon the cause of the anxiety attacks, the individual may be prescribed one or the other. Here is a quick rundown of the different antidepressants used to treat anxiety attacks.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
SSRI's or Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors are probably the latest set of antidepressants to arrive for use. Serotonin is a chemical that we all have in our brains, and if there is too much or too little, it can affect the way that we feel and think. This type of anxiety attack medication works to balance the levels of serotonin so that individuals feel as if they are happier and less afraid of the anxiety attacks. Often, it is the fear of the anxiety attack itself that brings it on. These types of antidepressants have been successful in many cases of anxiety.
Tricyclics
Another type of medication often given to those who suffer from anxiety attacks is Tricyclics. These are often given to all patients except for those who suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Those patients must be given a different type of medication. These successfully treat panic attacks and disorder as well as general anxiety attacks. Similarly, MAOIs or Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors are often given to those who suffer with anxiety. They are the oldest type of antidepressants and are quite successful with situations like these.
One thing most people don't know is that it can take up to 6 weeks for antidepressants to be fully working within your body. For this reason, many people give up on the medication, thinking that it is not working. Although there are effects within your body after taking the first pill, you should allow up to 6 weeks to see a difference with the anxiety attacks. Getting medication as well as therapy can create a treatment program which works.
