Anxiety
What is Anxiety?
Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health conditions, affecting nearly 30% of adults at some point in their lives. Unlike normal stress or occasional worry, an anxiety disorder involves persistent and overwhelming fear that can interfere with daily activities, relationships, and overall well-being. The good news is, anxiety doesn’t have to control your life.
At Peak Wellness Psychiatry, we create personalized treatment plans designed to help you manage anxiety and move toward lasting wellness. Our holistic approach to online psychiatry may include evidence-based therapy, appropriate medications, lifestyle adjustments, and nutritional support. We focus on treating the whole person, not just the symptoms—guiding you from day-to-day coping toward a more balanced, thriving life.
How is Anxiety Treated?
SSRIS (SELECTIVE SEROTONIN REUPTAKE INHIBITORS)
What Are SSRIs?
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are a type of antidepressant commonly prescribed as a first-line treatment for anxiety disorders. These medications work by increasing serotonin levels in the brain, a key neurotransmitter that plays a role in mood regulation, memory, sleep, digestion, and overall well-being. By balancing serotonin, SSRIs can help reduce excessive worry and promote a greater sense of calm.
Below are commonly prescribed SSRIs for anxiety treatment:
Zoloft (sertraline): Often well tolerated, provides a calming effect with minimal side effects.
Prozac (fluoxetine): Widely used for both depression and anxiety disorders.
Celexa (citalopram): May improve mood and reduce nervousness.
Lexapro (escitalopram): Frequently chosen for its effectiveness and tolerability.
Paxil / Pexeva (paroxetine): Effective but sometimes associated with more side effects.
SNRIS (SEROTONIN-NOREPINEPHRINE REUPTAKE INHIBITORS)
What Are SNRIs?
Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) are another class of antidepressants often prescribed for anxiety disorders and panic symptoms. These medications work by preventing brain cells from quickly reabsorbing serotonin and norepinephrine—two important neurotransmitters that regulate mood, stress response, and emotional balance. By stabilizing these chemicals, SNRIs can reduce anxiety, improve mood, and support long-term mental wellness.
Commonly prescribed SNRIs for anxiety include:
Cymbalta (duloxetine): Used for anxiety, depression, and sometimes physical pain symptoms.
Pristiq (desvenlafaxine): Helps balance mood and reduce anxious thoughts.
Effexor (venlafaxine): Effective for both generalized anxiety and panic disorder.
SNRIS (SEROTONIN-NOREPINEPHRINE REUPTAKE INHIBITORS)
What Are SNRIs?
Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) are a class of medications often used to treat anxiety disorders, depression, and panic symptoms. They work by slowing the reabsorption of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain, helping to stabilize these important neurotransmitters. This balance can improve mood, reduce excessive worry, and ease feelings of panic.
Common SNRI medications prescribed for anxiety include:
Cymbalta (duloxetine): Often used for generalized anxiety and depression.
Pristiq (desvenlafaxine): Supports mood regulation and helps reduce anxious thoughts.
Effexor (venlafaxine): Effective for generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder.
BETA-BLOCKERS
What Are Beta-Blockers?
Beta-blockers are medications that help reduce the physical effects of anxiety by calming the body’s “fight-or-flight” response. They work by slowing the heart rate and lowering blood pressure, which can ease symptoms like rapid heartbeat, trembling, and sweating.
While beta-blockers do not treat the underlying emotional or psychological causes of anxiety, they are effective in managing short-term, situational anxiety, such as performance anxiety or public speaking stress.
Common beta-blocker prescribed for anxiety:
Propranolol
Anxiolytics
What Are Anxiolytics?
Anxiolytics are medications designed to reduce both the mental and physical symptoms of anxiety. They work by balancing important brain chemicals, such as serotonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which help regulate mood, relaxation, and stress response.
Unlike some other anxiety medications, anxiolytics are generally prescribed for long-term use and are less likely to cause dependence. They are especially effective in treating generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
A commonly prescribed anxiolytic is:
Buspirone (Buspar)
