The main anxiety disorder treatment options are psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy.
The treatment may also include simple relaxation techniques (muscle relaxation, breathing exercises, and distraction from bothersome thoughts). Even a friendly and encouraging conversation can help to improve the state of a person with anxiety disorder.
The main groups of anxiety disorder treatment medications are:
1. Benzodiazepine tranquilizers;
2. Antidepressants
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors;
- Tricyclic antidepressants;
- Dual-action antidepressants;
3. Antipsychotics;
4. Non-benzodiazepine tranquilizers.
Benzodiazepines are a powerful anxiety disorder treatment. These drugs quickly relieve anxiety symptoms and sleep disturbances. The shortcomings of benzodiazepines include: rapid resumption or intensification of the symptoms after discontinuing the drug, the risk of drug dependence, poor coordination, and cognitive impairments (attention, concentration, and memory impairments). Therefore benzodiazepines should not be taken longer than 2-4 weeks.
Tricyclic antidepressants are another powerful anxiety disorder treatment. These drugs eliminate all the anxious and depressive symptoms (both, physical and mental), as well as they eliminate sleep disturbances. They can be used for long-term treatment and prevention of anxiety. The side effects of tricyclic antidepressants include dry mucous membranes, constipation, cardiovascular disorders, and transient cognitive impairment. The aforementioned side effects worsen the drug tolerance and increase the list of contraindications for their use, especially in patients with concomitant disorders.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are a relatively safe anxiety disorder treatment. They have a minimal range of side effects and they are not addictive. Thus, they can be used as a long-term maintenance treatment. Their relative disadvantage is the long period of wait before the effect of the drug starts (2 to 4 weeks). The side effects of the antidepressants in this group include nausea, loose stool, constipation, sweating, sleep disturbances, and sexual dysfunction (lowered libido and weakened orgasm).
The dual-action antidepressants are an encouraging anxiety disorder treatment. These medications have inherited high effectiveness and good tolerability (with minimal side effects) from the previous generations of antidepressants. Moreover, they work on the broader spectrum of anxiety and depression symptoms.
In some cases, a positive effect in the treatment of anxiety is achieved with the use of antipsychotics in small doses. The side effects of the antipsychotics include: weakness, lowered blood pressure, irregular menstruation, weight gain, and decreased libido.
The non-benzodiazepine tranquilizers are yet another anxiety disorder treatment recommended by various experts. Its anti-anxiety effect is slightly inferior to the above drugs. On the other hand, it works fast and does not create any drug dependence, as well as it does not violate the cognitive function. The main side-effects of the non-benzodiazepine tranquilizers are drowsiness and lethargy (usually taking place within the first 5-7 days of therapy), dry mouth, indigestion, and dizziness.
The anxiety disorder treatment requires an individual approach, as well as time and perseverance. It is important to identify anxiety in every patient and help them explain the painful nature of emotions to their friends and relatives. Anxiety is one of the most common mental disorders that manifests as an emotionally painful discomfort. Anxiety disorders require proper diagnosis and treatment, in order to help the person start to feel better and return to a normal life.