How is anxiety disorder treated with medication?
Disease description:
Recently, I have been diagnosed with anxiety disorder. How is anxiety disorder treated with medication?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Lv Zhiqin
Medication treatment for anxiety disorders mainly includes the following categories of drugs:
1. Antidepressants: such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like paroxetine and escitalopram, as well as serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) such as venlafaxine and duloxetine. These medications alleviate anxiety symptoms by regulating neurotransmitters in the brain.
2. Benzodiazepines: such as alprazolam and lorazepam. These medications can rapidly relieve anxiety symptoms, but long-term use may lead to dependence and withdrawal symptoms, so they should be used cautiously.
3. Other medications: for certain types of anxiety disorders, such as social anxiety disorder, other types of medications, such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors or certain anticonvulsant medications, may sometimes be used. However, selection and use of these medications require caution due to potentially more side effects and drug interactions.
In addition, patients and their families should understand the mechanisms of action, expected effects, and possible side effects of the medications in order to enhance treatment effectiveness.
