There are many different types of anxiety medications, including benzodiazepines, beta blockers, and antidepressants. While taking these medications, you may experience less anxiety and panic. They can also help improve your mood, sleep, and energy levels. Like any medication, they can also cause side effects. Speaking with your prescriber about the risks and benefits of anxiety medications can help you determine whether they are right for you.
How Do I Know If I Need Anxiety Medication?
Anxiety, or worry, is common and normal to experience from time to time.1 However, some people experience high levels of anxiety that are hard to manage and affect other areas of their lives on a daily basis. If this is the case, you may be dealing with an anxiety disorder which could benefit from treatment that may include therapy, medication, or both.
Medication isn’t a cure for anxiety, but it can help improve anxiety symptoms for many different types of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and phobias.1 If your anxiety is moderate to severe, hard to control, recurrent, and/or affects your ability to function in other areas of your life, then you may benefit from medication.
There are several different types of medications that can help treat anxiety disorders. Finding the right medication for you can take time, so patience is important. Meeting with a therapist while taking medication is also recommended to fully address your symptoms and help you recover.
Medication for Short-Term & Long-Term Anxiety Relief
There are several types of medications available to treat anxiety that work on different timelines.2 They include benzodiazepines, antidepressants, beta blockers, antihistamines, and others. The type of medication that your prescriber recommends will depend on whether you are experiencing acute anxiety, like panic attacks , or long-term anxiety. Certain medications are effective for providing short-term relief, while others are more effective for chronic anxiety.
For short term anxiety relief, your doctor may prescribe these medications:
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines are the most commonly prescribed short-term anxiety medications. They include diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), and clonazepam (Klonopin). Benzos provide almost immediate relief from severe anxiety, panic attacks, and can also help with sleep. However it is important to note that benzodiazepines have a high addiction profile and can cause serious withdrawals as well as other side effects like a potential for weight gain. As a result these medications are used for specific anxiety disorders, seldomly prescribed and are recommended only for a very short term period.3
Beta Blockers
Propranolol is a type of beta blocker that is used to treat panic disorder. It can also help decrease somatic symptoms of anxiety, like heart palpitations, trembling, and sweating, among musicians and other performers. It can take one to four hours to feel the full effects of this medication.4,5,6
Antihistamines
Hydroxyzine is an antihistamine that is used to treat acute anxiety, panic, and insomnia. This medication provides relief within 15 minutes to one hour of taking the medication.7,8
For chronic anxiety relief, your doctor may prescribe these medications:
Antidepressants
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a type of antidepressant that are used to treat both depression and anxiety. When it comes to anxiety, they can help improve symptoms of generalized anxiety, social anxiety, and panic disorder. These medications include sertraline (Zoloft), paroxetine (Paxil), and escitalopram (Lexapro). It typically takes four to six weeks to feel the effects of antidepressants7,9
Buspirone (Buspar)
This medication is approved for the treatment of generalized anxiety and is typically prescribed along with antidepressants. It can take up to four weeks to feel the effects of this medication.7
How Will Benzodiazepines Make Me Feel?
Benzodiazepines and other medications for short-term anxiety can give you fast relief from your anxiety.3 You may experience feelings of calm minutes after taking these medications. While these medications can provide significant benefits, however, they also come with risks.
Benzos can cause side effects like nausea, confusion, and headaches. Taking larger doses can cause more intense side effects like severe drowsiness, disorientation, and memory impairment. Consuming large amounts of benzos can even lead to an overdose, especially if they are mixed with alcohol or opioids.
Side Effects of Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines reduce anxiety and induce feelings of calm and relaxation.2,3 They can help decrease panic attack symptoms rather quickly. While they provide many benefits for short-term anxiety and panic, they can also cause uncomfortable and even dangerous side effects. Because of the possibility of developing a dependence or addiction on benzos, you should always be closely monitored by your healthcare provider while taking these medications, and let them know how these medications are impacting you and making you feel.
When you’re benefiting from benzodiazepines, you should feel:10
- More calm
- Less stomach pain and nausea due to anxiety
- Decreased shaking due to anxiety
- Less sweating
- Return to normal heart rate
- Normal body temperature
- Less breathing difficulties
Some adverse side effects from benzodiazepines that you may experience include:2,3
- Nausea
- Blurry vision
- Headaches
- Drowsiness
- Poor concentration
- Confusion
- Nightmares
- Irritability
- Dependence, withdrawal and addiction
How Will Antidepressants Make Me Feel?
Antidepressants should help to improve symptoms of both depression and anxiety.7 While some people worry that they are like “happy pills” that could cause them to feel emotionally numb, most people who take antidepressants report that they help improve their ability to cope with life’s stressors and enhance their quality of life.11
Rather than improving your symptoms immediately, antidepressants can take one to two months to experience their effects. If you don’t notice an improvement in your symptoms after a sufficient period of time, you may have to work with your prescriber on increasing your dose or changing medications. Some people may respond better to certain antidepressants, so you may have to try more than one medication to find the one that works best for you.2
Side Effects of Antidepressants
While antidepressants can provide significant benefits, they also come with side effects. When they’re working, they can improve your mood, help reduce your anxiety, and even help with increased energy and better sleep.2,12 Adverse side effects are usually mild, but can vary from person to person. If the side effects of these medications outweigh the benefits, then you should speak to your prescriber about possibly considering a different medication.
When you’re benefiting from antidepressants, you should feel:12
- Less depressed
- Less anxious
- Improved appetite
- Improved sleep
- More energetic
Other side effects you may experience while on antidepressants include:2,9
- Gastrointestinal issues like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation
- Restlessness
- Headache
- Appetite changes
- Weight gain
- Fatigue
- Tremor
- Increased sweating
- Sexual dysfunction
What to Do if Your Anxiety Meds Are Making You Feel Worse
Some people are able to find the right medication on the first try, but others need to try more than one medication to find the one that works best for them.2 If you are taking medication for several weeks and don’t experience much relief, feel worse, or are experiencing adverse side effects, talk to your prescriber. They may suggest changing your dose, changing medications, or adding another medication to your treatment plan.
Some signs your anxiety medication isn’t working include:
- You don’t notice an improvement in your symptoms after at least 6 weeks/li>
- You notice some improvement, but your symptoms are continuing to cause you significant distress and interfere with your life
- You are experiencing side effects that are causing you to feel worse
- You feel depressed, suicidal, or want to harm yourself
How Long Does It Take Anxiety Medication to Work?
How quickly you feel the effects of medication will depend on the specific medication you are taking. Generally, medications for short-term anxiety, like benzodiazepines, beta blockers, and hydroxyzine will provide anxiety relief within minutes, but may take up to one hour3,6,8 Medications prescribed for chronic anxiety, like antidepressants and buspirone, may take four to six weeks to feel the effects.7
Concerns & Dangers of Anxiety Medication
While benzodiazepines can be highly effective at reducing anxiety and panic, they also pose serious risks.3 When taken over time, you can become dependent on these medications, where your body relies on the medication to function effectively.13 This can cause an increased tolerance, where you feel like you need more of the medication to feel the desired effects.
You might also experience withdrawal symptoms if you try to quit cold turkey or cut back. Withdrawal symptoms can include increased anxiety, difficulty sleeping, cravings, hallucinations, and seizures. Benzo withdrawal can be dangerous and potentially life-threatening. Therefore, you should always speak with your healthcare provider before stopping these medications or reducing your dose.
Benzos can also cause psychological dependence and addiction.13 If you’re addicted, you may put benzos before other important things in your life, like your family and work. You might find yourself taking more than you’d like and have a hard time controlling your use. If this is the case, you might need to get professional treatment to quit safely.
To use benzos safely, be sure to meet with your healthcare provider regularly, take your medications exactly as prescribed, and only use benzos for short periods of time.
Questions to Ask Your Health Team About How Anxiety Medication Makes You Feel
Before you start taking medication for your anxiety, you will most likely have questions. It is important to ask your provider about possible side effects, contraindications, and how to handle negative reactions. Consider writing down your questions in advance and bringing them with you to your appointment.
Questions to ask your care team about how antidepressants anxiety meds make you feel include:
- What are the side effects of this medication?
- What signs should I watch for to indicate that I’m taking too much medication?
- Are there any foods, medications, or supplements that I should avoid while taking this medication?
- How do I know if the medication is helping?
- What should I do if I experience side effects?
- What should I do if I want to hurt myself or feel suicidal?
If you experience suicidal thoughts, contact your doctor, psychiatrist, or therapist right away. If you feel like you want to act on your thoughts, call 911 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 immediately.
Final Thoughts on How Anxiety Meds Make You Feel
It is common to feel nervous when deciding whether to take anti-anxiety medication. Doing your research, considering the risks and benefits, and speaking with your prescriber can help you decide whether medication is right for you. Finding the right medication and participating in therapy at the same time can help you manage your symptoms and gain control over your anxiety.
