The use of drugs for anxiety disorders | 3 types of medication | Using medication | Antidepressants | SSRIs |
As part of the Fear Course
Anxiety Treatment Review Series I have decided to include a section on medication or drugs for anxiety. I am often asked about the use of medication during the Fear Course so here is a review of medication or drugs used for the treatment of anxiety problems. We often work in conjection with medical practitioners with clients with clinical anxiety issues.
The use of drugs for anxiety disorders
The first thing to know is that medication cannot 'cure' anxiety disorders on their own. Medication for anxiety disorders is intended to lower and manage the symptoms whilst the patient is recieving psychotherapy for example Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy or CBT.
There are three categories of medication that tend to be prescribed to manage anxiety symptoms:
- Antidepressants,
- anti-anxiety drugs, and
- beta-blockers.
It is important that such medication is prescribed by a qualified medical practitioner and under no circumstances should drugs 'borrowed' from another person be used. The reason for this is that different forms of medications have different side effects and work in different ways. They also have different contra-indications if you are taking any other medication or have any other form of ailment. Indeed there are a number of medical illnesses which can be confused with anxiety problems and taking certain types of medicine can make the underlying problem worse or mask it whilst the problem develops into something serious. Always consult a medical practitioner before taking any medication for anxiety issues.
It is quite common for antidepressants to be prescribed for anxiety disorders. There are three main types of antidepressants that can be used. each have their own characteristics:
- SSRIs or Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors,
- MAOIs or Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors, and
- Tricyclics.
SSRIs or Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
SSRIs or Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors are some of the most modern antidepressants available. They work by changing the levels of serotonin, which is a natural neurotransmitter within the brain and it helps neurons (brain cells) communicate with each other. SSRIs are usually prescribed for
- Depression,
- Some eating disorders,
- Panic disorders,
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD),
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD),
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), and
- Social Anxiety Diesorder (SAD, SAnD)
The most common SSRIs prescribed today include:
- Citalopram (Celexa, Cipramil, Cipram, Dalsan, Recital, Emocal, Sepram, Seropram, Citox, Cital)
- Dapoxetine (Priligy)
- Escitalopram (Lexapro, Cipralex, Seroplex, Esertia)
- Fluoxetine (Prozac, Fontex, Seromex, Seronil, Sarafem, Ladose, Motivest, Fluctin (EUR), Fluox (NZ), Depress (UZB), Lovan (AUS))
- Fluvoxamine (Luvox, Fevarin, Faverin, Dumyrox, Favoxil, Movox)
- Indalpine (Upstene) (discontinued)
- Paroxetine (Paxil, Seroxat, Sereupin, Aropax, Deroxat, Divarius, Rexetin, Xetanor, Paroxat, Loxamine)
- Sertraline (Zoloft, Lustral, Serlain, Asentra)
- imelidine (Zelmid, Normud) (No longer available)
References
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