Are antidepressants effective for anxiety?

Can SSRI cure anxiety?

Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs): Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors are antidepressants. They can relieve anxiety symptoms and help reduce the symptoms of depression that often accompany anxiety disorders. It usually takes 2 to 6 weeks for SSRIs to start reducing the anxiety.

Readers rate antidepressantsDrug classEffectivenessHelped a lotHelped somewhatSSRIs (Celexa, Lexapro, Prozac, Zoloft)53%35%SNRIs (Cymbalta, Effexor)4936Bupropion (Wellbutrin)483

By looking at 117 studies of the 12 most popular antidepressants, researchers ranked the top 12 drugs in the journal The Lancet. Zoloft and Lexapro came in first for a combination of effectiveness and fewer side effects, followed by Prozac (fluoxetine), Paxil (paroxetine), Cymbalta, and Luvox among others.

Here are some key points about Prozac. Prozac, or fluoxetine, is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and a widely used antidepressant. It is considered safe and effective in treating depression, anxiety, and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and bulimia.

A panic attack is a sudden onset of fear or distress that peaks in minutes and involves experiencing at least four of the following symptoms:

palpitations.

sweating.

shaking or trembling.

feeling shortness of breath or smothering.

sensation of choking.

chest pains or tightness.

nausea or gastrointestinal problems.

Anxiety and Panic Attacks can be cured! The goal of all treatment for Anxiety and Panic Attacks is the alleviation of symptoms. Some people call this a “cure.” However it is done, the relief may be temporary or it may last for years.

Certain Antidepressants Change Personality. A new study suggests that antidepressants like Paxil do more than just make people feel less sad and stressed. Such drugs may alter two key personality traits linked to depression—neuroticism and extraversion—independently of their effect on depression symptoms.

Common anxiety signs and symptoms include:

Feeling nervous, restless or tense.

Having a sense of impending danger, panic or doom.

Having an increased heart rate.

Breathing rapidly (hyperventilation)

Sweating.

Trembling.

Feeling weak or tired.

Trouble concentrating or thinking about anything other than the present worry.

The medications most often used to treat anxiety are:

Benzodiazepines.

Antidepressants, such as Fluoxetine (Prozac), Paroxetine (Paxil), Sertraline (Zoloft), Citalopram (Celexa), Escitalopram (Lexapro) (SSRI’s) and Effexor, Cymbalta, Pristiq (SNRI’s).

Serotonin Enhancer, such as Buspirone (Buspar).

Antidepressants with the lowest rate of sexual side effects include:

Bupropion (Wellbutrin XL, Wellbutrin SR, Aplenzin, Forfivo XL)

Mirtazapine (Remeron)

Vilazodone (Viibryd)

Vortioxetine (Trintellix)

The FDA lists the following side effects of antipsychotic medicines:

Drowsiness.

Dizziness.

Restlessness.

Weight gain (the risk is higher with some atypical antipsychotic medicines)

Dry mouth.

Constipation.

Nausea.

Vomiting.

It takes four to six weeks to notice significant therapeutic benefits from the SSRIs. The full range of benefits can take twelve weeks. Patients often experience a temporary worsening of anxiety symptoms during the first two weeks of treatment. Abrupt discontinuation of the SSRIs could cause flu-like symptoms.

Examples of SSRIs used to treat anxiety include:

escitalopram (Lexapro)

fluoxetine (Prozac)

paroxetine (Paxil)

sertraline (Zoloft)

Although the claim is made that some people may be able to start to feel less depressed within 2 weeks of taking one of these kinds of antidepressants, most people won’t start experiencing the full positive effects of the medication until 6 to 8 weeks after beginning it.

Is Ativan Addictive? All benzodiazepines have a high potential for physical dependence, abuse, and addiction. Because of Ativan’s chemical structure, it has specific therapeutic uses; however, its chemical structure also makes it a high-risk drug for both physical dependence and addiction.

Drinking alcohol while taking antidepressants is generally not advised because alcohol can make depression worse. It can also increase the side effects of some antidepressants, such as drowsiness, dizziness and co-ordination problems.

Effexor (venlafaxine) is good for treating depression and anxiety, but it can cause more withdrawal symptoms if you stop suddenly compared to other antidepressants. Effexor (venlafaxine) effectively treats depression, anxiety, and panic disorder.

The most prominent of anti-anxiety drugs for the purpose of immediate relief are those known as benzodiazepines; among them are alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), diazepam (Valium), and lorazepam (Ativan).

These medications generally cause fewer bothersome side effects and are less likely to cause problems at higher therapeutic doses than other types of antidepressants are. SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva), sertraline (Zoloft), citalopram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro).

However, antidepressants take up to 4 to 6 weeks to begin relieving anxiety symptoms, so they can’t be taken “as needed.” Their use is limited to chronic anxiety problems that require ongoing treatment. The antidepressants most widely prescribed for anxiety are SSRIs such as Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Lexapro, and Celexa.

Which Benzodiazepines Are Used for Anxiety?

Xanax or Niravam (alprazolam)

Klonopin (clonazepam)

Ativan (lorazepam)

Valium (diazepam)