Anxiety can affect more than just a person’s emotions. The constant anxiety, the panic attacks, and the inability to cope with normal life can start to affect your job, your relationships, and your day-to-day life. If these experiences are hard to deal with, taking medication might be one of the treatment options to talk about with a mental health professional.
The type of medication prescribed depends on the individual’s condition and medical history. Having an understanding of this process can be helpful when looking for anxiety medication in Houston.
How Does a Psychiatrist Choose Anxiety Medication?
There isn’t a single medication that works for everyone with anxiety. A psychiatrist will want to understand more about your symptoms and how they are impacting your everyday life. This could include:
Type of anxiety
Symptoms and treatment options for generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder may differ.
Medical history
Having any existing medical conditions can impact what medications you can take.
Previous treatment
The psychiatrist may ask if you have had any previous treatment with medication or therapy and how you responded to it.
Current medications
Any prescribed medications, over-the-counter medications, and supplements should be discussed to make sure there aren’t any interactions.
Personal concerns
Side effects, treatment preferences, and concerns around taking medication can also be discussed.
This assessment helps the psychiatrist consider the available options rather than recommending medication based on symptoms alone. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) also explains that treatment decisions should account for a person’s needs, preferences, and medical situation.
What Medications Are Commonly Used for Anxiety?
There are different kinds of medications available for treating anxiety disorders, which depend upon the type of disorder and the patient.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
SSRI’s are antidepressant medications commonly used to treat anxiety disorders. This medication may be prescribed for generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder.
This type of medication can take a few weeks to begin taking effect. Side effects such as nausea, headaches, and trouble sleeping may occur, especially when first beginning the treatment. A healthcare professional may gradually alter the dosage depending on how you are responding to the medication.
Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)
SNRI’s are another form of antidepressant medication used for some anxiety disorders. These work by affecting the chemical messengers in your brain that control mood, similar to the SSRI’s. This can take a few weeks to take full effect.
A psychiatrist may decide to prescribe SNRI’s depending on your diagnosis, whether you have responded to previous medication, potential side effects, and what other medication you may be on.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines are anti-anxiety medications that can provide quicker relief to the symptoms. However, this medication must be used with care as it can cause physical dependence if taken regularly. Withdrawal symptoms can occur if this type of medication is stopped suddenly.
The FDA states that this type of medication has the risk of being misused, becoming addictive, and causing dependency. Therefore, benzodiazepines are generally used with caution. They may be prescribed for a short period of time in certain situations.
The NIMH guide to mental health medications explains these medication categories and their different uses. Medication should be taken only under the guidance of a competent health care professional.
What Should You Know Before Starting Anxiety Medication?
Check your medical history and any medications you are on before starting. This includes prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, and supplements. Here are some things to consider:
Side Effects
Ask what possible side effects may occur and what symptoms you should seek medical attention for.
Interactions
Some medications can interact with other medications and increase the chance of side effects.
Dosage
Know how frequently to take your medication and if it needs to be taken with food.
Missed doses
Ask what to do if you forget a dose.
Stopping treatment
Some anxiety medications should not be stopped suddenly. Ask your prescriber about the correct approach before making changes.
Don’t increase, reduce, or stop a prescribed dose on your own. If you experience an unexpected reaction or have concerns about your medication, contact your healthcare provider.
How Long Does Anxiety Medication Take to Work?
The timing depends on what medication is prescribed. It can take a few weeks for SSRIs and SNRIs to start to work on anxiety symptoms. Buspirone, a drug also used for generalized anxiety disorder, must be taken regularly and can take about three to four weeks to reach its full effect.
This means you may not notice a significant change immediately after starting treatment. Your psychiatrist may need to review your symptoms, assess side effects, and determine whether the current dose is appropriate.
Avoid changing the dose simply because you don’t notice an improvement in the first few days. Give your prescriber an update about what you’re experiencing so that any adjustments can be made safely.
When Should Your Medication Be Reviewed or Changed?
A medication review may be needed if symptoms are not improving, side effects are difficult to manage, or your treatment needs have changed. Your psychiatrist may discuss:
- Whether your anxiety symptoms have changed
- Whether you’re experiencing side effects
- Whether you’re taking the medication as prescribed
- Whether the current dose needs adjustment
- Whether another medication or treatment approach should be considered
A change in medication does not necessarily mean the previous treatment was inappropriate. Sometimes a different option may be considered after reviewing the person’s response and tolerability.
Regular communication also helps your psychiatrist identify concerns before they become more difficult to manage. If you are looking for medications for anxiety in Houston, a psychiatric assessment can be used to find the right treatment options for you.
Finding A Psychiatrist For Anxiety In Houston
If you need to find a psychiatrist for anxiety in Houston, then you will want to find one that provides a proper psychiatric assessment, medication management, and aftercare. As well as feeling comfortable talking about your worries and asking questions.
At Integrated Psychiatry, we provide psychiatric care for conditions such as anxiety and panic disorder through in-person appointments and telepsychiatry. Our approach may include medication management and therapy, depending on each patient’s needs.
We begin with a psychiatric evaluation to understand your symptoms, medical history, and treatment concerns. Based on this assessment, we develop an individualized treatment plan suited to your needs. If you’re exploring anxiety treatment in Houston, these are useful details to discuss when deciding whether a provider’s services match your requirements.
FAQs
1. Will I need medication to help with my anxiety?
Depending on your circumstances and what you feel would be the best option for you, you may be offered just medication or medication and psychotherapy. Your healthcare professional can talk through what is right for you.
2. Will I be given SSRIs?
Yes. A common type of drug used to treat various anxiety disorders is SSRIs. The type of medicine you will be given will depend on your diagnosis and individual circumstances.
3. Can I get side effects from medication for my anxiety?
Yes. The side effects will depend on the medication you are taking. Some SSRIs and SNRIs can cause nausea, headaches, and trouble sleeping. Ask your prescriber what side effects you may experience.
4. Should I stop taking anxiety medication when I feel better?
Don’t stop medication without speaking to your prescriber. Some medications need to be withdrawn gradually to prevent withdrawal symptoms or a return of symptoms.