

Beta-blockersīeta-blockers do not have approval from the Food and Drug Administration to treat anxiety disorders. The most common side effects of benzodiazepines include: These drugs reduce electrical activity in the brain and the intensity of anxiety symptoms.īenzodiazepine drugs are effective in the short term, but a person should not take them over long periods, as this may lead to addiction and withdrawal symptoms. Benzodiazepinesĭoctors may also prescribe benzodiazepines to help people with anxiety disorders. MAOIs are not the first choice for treating panic disorder, as they can cause interactions with other drugs and certain foods. Doctors prescribe these drugs to treat panic attacks, mood swings, and depression. MAOIs are a class of antidepressants that work by increasing the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. TCAs may cause more side effects than SSRIs and SNRIs, so doctors usually prescribe other drugs before trying them. This helps increase levels of these neurotransmitters to help improve mood, relieve anxiety, and decrease feelings of fatigue. TCAs work by blocking the reuptake of serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine in the brain. Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are a type of antidepressant that doctors prescribe to treat major depressive disorder and anxiety disorders. Learn about the difference between SSRIs and SNRIs here. Doctors prescribe them to treat depression, anxiety, and other mood problems.ĭoctors commonly prescribe the following SNRIs to treat panic disorder:Īt low doses, SNRIs can cause the following side effects:Īt higher doses, SNRIs can cause the following side effects: SNRIs are a class of antidepressants that work by increasing levels of synaptic serotonin and norepinephrine in the body. Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) A person can also discuss side effects with a doctor before taking a medication. The possible side effects of medications feature on the drug’s label. Recent research has cast doubt on exactly how SSRIs affect the brain.Ĭommon SSRIs that doctors prescribe for panic attacks include: However, there is some controversy among experts over the theory that anxiety and depression occur when serotonin levels are low. They increase synaptic serotonin, a neurotransmitter that has several different functions.

SSRIs are the first-line medication for treating panic disorder. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) Learn more about serotonin syndrome here. Symptoms of serotonin syndrome can include: This is a condition where an excess amount of serotonin, the chemical messenger in the brain, builds up in the body. With all medications that affect serotonin levels, individuals should be aware of the risks of serotonin syndrome.

Taking medication is one way to mitigate the symptoms of anxiety.ĭoctors most often prescribe antidepressants and benzodiazepines for people with panic disorder. Share on Pinterest Danielle Vorburger/EyeEm/Getty Images
