The 6 types of anxiolytics (characteristics and uses)

Anxiety is defined as an involuntary anticipatory response of the body to external or internal stimuli, such as thoughts, ideas, images and other concepts that are perceived by the patient as threatening or dangerous. We are facing an event of a psychological nature that manifests itself on many occasions in a somatic way, with palpitations, hyperventilation, gastrointestinal problems, sweating, tremors and many things more.

Sporadic anxiety is normal, even more so when we coexist in a society that demands a vital rhythm from us, perhaps too fast for most people. In any case, when the symptoms persist over time and make it difficult for the patient to exist, a generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is suspected. The prevalence of this condition is 5%, although it is estimated that there are many more people who suffer from it than the data suggests.

It is at this point when it is time to ask for psychological help. Feeling momentarily distressed is normal, but living with anxiety is a chronic and debilitating condition that must be treated

. If you have decided to put yourself in the hands of a psychologist and a psychiatrist after your diagnosis, we recommend that you continue reading, because today we present the 6 types of anxiolytics present on the market.

• We recommend you read: "12 infusions that help you relax and fight anxiety"

What are the most used types of anxiolytics?

An anxiolytic is a psychotropic drug with a depressant action on the central nervous system, whose function is to reduce the symptoms of anxiety and anguish in the patient (without the need for this to be accompanied by sedation or sleep). In support of this category, we find antidepressants and beta-blockers, since the only Anxiolytics per se are those that act in a directed way against the symptoms of anxiety (anti-anxiety).

Beyond this classification system and medical terminology, we are going to focus on drugs that help patients with prolonged anxiety in the time or with noticeable seizures, regardless of whether the medicine was created for that sole purpose or is capable of relieving symptoms in a way accessory. Go for it.

1. Barbiturates

They are a family of drugs derived from barbituric acid (as its name suggests) that act as sedatives of the central nervous system, producing a wide range of effects, from mild sedation to a state of anesthesia total.

They are effective as pain relievers, anxiolytics, hypnotics, and anticonvulsants. However, they have been replaced by benzodiazepines in daily medical practice, as they are extremely addictive. In addition, in reasonably low doses barbiturates can make the patient appear drunk or intoxicated, so they are not very useful if he intends to lead a normal life.

2. Benzodiazepines

The current queens of anxiety treatment. Benzodiazepines are psychotropic medications with relaxing, sedative, hypnotic, anticonvulsant, amnesic, and muscle relaxant effects. They are more specific depressant agents of the central nervous system than barbiturates, since they precisely potentiate the inhibitory action mediated by GABA, a neurotransmitter that transmits an inhibitory message to neurons, with which it comes into contact so that they slow down their impulses or stop transmit them.

Benzodiazepines are safe to use drugs, but they have a clear problem: they should only be taken continuously for periods of 2 to 3 months at most, as they generate addiction. 12.5% ​​of Americans use benzodiazepines as anxiolytics regularly, but up to 2% of patients do not use them correctly. The abuse of Xanax and diazepam is a real problem in this country, as a not inconsiderable percentage of the population uses it recreationally and irresponsibly.

Some of the commonly used benzodiazepines are: alprazolam, bromazepam, clonazepam, diazepam, triazolam, and flurazepam. Their uses are relatively different, always based on the requirements of the patient, so they are only sold by prescription and after prior consultation with a professional.

3. Carbamates

Carbamates are organic compounds derived from carbamic acid. We speak more specifically of meprobamate, a member of the chemical class of propanediols, quite similar to the previously mentioned barbiturates.

Again, these drugs have been forgotten since the discovery and standardization of the use of benzodiazepines. Meprobamate causes very dangerous interactions with alcohol, it only relieves anxiety in the short term, its range of action is limited, and it is also quite addictive. Therefore, it is no longer prescribed today..

4. Antihistamines

Antihistamines are drugs that primarily serve to reduce or eliminate the effects produced by allergies, as they block the release of histamine, a substance clearly linked to the local responses of the system immune.

Hydroxyzine is a first-generation antihistamine drug with sedative, anxiolytic, and antiemetic (nausea control) effects. Unlike carbamates and barbiturates, hydroxyzine has been shown to be about as helpful for anxiety disorders as benzodiazepines and, moreover, causes fewer side effects. It is marketed under the pharmaceutical name "Atarax" and is very useful for treating prolonged anxiety, as well as treating itching and allergic-type hives.

5. Opioids

Opioids are substances very similar to morphine (an opiate), since when they reach the relevant receptors, they greatly reduce symptomatic pain in patients and induce anesthesia. Due to the multiple side effects that they can cause and the great addiction they cause, these drugs are used sporadically to relieve pain in surgical patients and in people with aggressive cancers, who cannot manage their chronic discomfort otherwise shape.

Despite their historical association with pain relief, new research suggests that opioids can help in the treatment of depression, obsessive compulsive disorders and other conditions related to chronic anxiety. In any case, they have one of the highest addiction ranges of all the drugs described here: for that same, we doubt that at some point they will be viable treatments for anxiety, at least in its forms current.

6. Antidepressants

Antidepressants are the first-line treatments to address long-term anxiety in patients. To give you an idea, benzodiazepines are used at emotionally critical moments (recent loss, constant anguish, discomfort derived from a specific event), while antidepressants are the long-term "cushion", as they are prescribed with a minimum duration of 6 months to 2 years, with options to prolong the treatment.

This group includes selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. Some of the most used are the following: lexapro, cymbalta, effexor XR, paxil and many others.

However necessary they are in many cases, they do not stop presenting side effectsSome patients experience nausea, weight gain, and sleep problems, but these events usually resolve within a few weeks of starting treatment. Unfortunately, other people experience clinical signs throughout treatment, with a lack of libido being one of the most common (in 30-60% of cases).

In any case, it should be noted that antidepressants do not have the same addictive effect as barbiturates, benzodiazepines, carbamates, and opioids. They do not act quickly, they do not cause withdrawal symptoms and it is not necessary to increase the doses to fulfill their function. Despite their low danger on this front, this does not mean that the patient cannot psychologically associate these drugs to your well-being and do not want to leave them: therefore, stopping taking antidepressants is always a slow process and gradual.

Resume

You may have already heard this many times, but if it is said, it is for something: a pharmacological treatment without a simultaneous psychological approach is of little use. The consumption of drugs should not be eternal and, therefore, the patient must acquire the necessary tools to cope with his anxiety while it is treated in a "chemical" way. If the necessary psychological support is not received, it is possible that after stopping the medication the person will return to the starting box, perhaps with a tendency to addiction due to the drugs taken.

For this reason, we strongly recommend that you do not just stick with the pills if you have generalized anxiety. The psychologist will help you manage your emotional crises, nip cyclical thoughts in the bud, and try to bring peace to your life in the face of feelings of excessive worry, hypochondria, lack of self-esteem and many other events associated with anxiety. Remember that knowing how to control your mind is as important as mastering your body, so in these cases it is necessary to go beyond pharmacology.

• You can consult our selection of psychologists here.