Anxiety and mood disorders are common mental
health issues affecting a large population.
Even though having anxious feelings is
completely normal, especially in stressful
situations, those with anxiety disorders
experience debilitating stress and panic,
enough to interfere with their daily
activities.
Unfortunately, while anxiety is fully
treatable, only 40% of people with anxiety are
under medication. While initial medications
used to treat anxiety were effective, they had
significant side effects, including addiction.
People diagnosed with anxiety are particularly
prone to addiction because they prefer
self-medicating to numb anxiety symptoms.
Controlled vs Non-Controlled Anxiety
Medications
Controlled anxiety treatment options have high
risks of addiction or dependence. On the other
hand, non-controlled drugs are non-addictive.
Addictive medications should be avoided if
there are non-addictive treatment options.
Benzodiazepines, like Valium and Xanax, were
among the first controlled anxiety drugs.
While they produced quick results, they
carried the risk of sedation, tolerance, and
dependence. As such, people with anxiety
should use benzodiazepine alternatives for
better results. Below is a list of
non-addictive anxiety medications.
Anxiety Disorder Treatment Options
You should explore various potential treatment
options immediately after being diagnosed with
anxiety disorder. Before looking at the
anti-anxiety medication list that is
non-addictive, it is worth noting that
patients with anxiety can choose medical
treatment options or holistic/psychotherapy
options. Below are the non-addictive anxiety
medication list and holistic treatment options
for people with anxiety disorders.
Non-Addictive Anxiety Treatment Options
1.SSRIs
While selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitors are widely used for depression,
they are also very effective for anxiety
disorders. SSRIs are the first-line
medicinal treatment option for anxiety
disorders. Commonly used SSRIs
include:
Fluoxetine
Citalopram
Escitalopram
Sertraline
Paroxetine
Fluvoxamine
SSRIs effectively treat anxiety by
correcting neurotransmitter deficiencies
that cause anxiety symptoms. Even though
they take longer to produce positive
effects, typically from two weeks, they have
a good safety profile. The greatest benefit
of these drugs is they are not addictive.
They also treat depression, which co-occurs
with anxiety in most patients.
2.SNRIs
Selective norepinephrine reuptake
inhibitors are also non-addictive anxiety
medications with the same mechanism as
SSRIs. They are the second-line drugs of
choice if SSRI fails. The two recommended
SNRIs include duloxetine and venlafaxine XR.
Unlike SSRIs, SNRIs focus on the
neurotransmitter norepinephrine and have
energizing effects.
3.Beta Blockers
Among the many off-label uses of beta
blockers is alleviating anxiety symptoms.
Beta-blockers work by blocking catecholamine
transmission, a neurotransmitter that
triggers physical symptoms of anxiety, such
as increased heartbeat, jitteriness, high
blood pressure, and constriction of blood
vessels.
Because of these effects, beta blockers are
effective in treating panic anxieties, such
as people with agoraphobia. They also
prevent the onset of physical anxiety in
specific situations, such as before taking
exams or speaking publicly. Propranolol is
the commonly accepted anti-anxiety
non-additive beta blocker.
4.Buspirone
Buspirone is another treatment of choice
widely recommended for treating generalized
anxiety disorders. The use of buspirone
differs from other drugs mentioned above
because it is of a different class of drugs.
Like SNRIs, it should be used as a
second-line choice. While its mechanism of
action remains unknown, it effectively
reduces the withdrawal symptoms of those
detoxing from opioid addiction.
5.Diphenhydramine
Diphenhydramine is commonly prescribed as
an anti-allergy drug but can also be used in
anxiety disorders. While its mechanism of
action against anxiety remains unclear, it
has shown effectiveness in reducing symptoms
of anxiety without the potential for misuse.
It also works faster than mainline anxiety
drugs, such as SSRIs.
However, the use of diphenhydramine isn’t
encouraged for all patients because of its
mild side effects. For effective results, it
should be taken every six hours.
Unfortunately, frequent use can lead to dry
mouth and sedative effects.
Non-Addictive Holistic Treatment Options
Some of the commonly used non-pharmacologic
or holistic treatments for anxiety
include:
Integrated care/inpatient treatment
Inpatient treatment
in rehab centres, such as The Retreat, is
the best place to begin recovery from
anxiety. Changing your environment removes
stressful circumstances and allows you to
learn coping mechanisms. Psychologists and
psychiatrists assess anxiety symptoms during
inpatient treatment and develop appropriate
treatment methods.
Intensive psychotherapy
Another commonly preferred anxiety
treatment method in recovery centres is
intensive psychotherapy. The following
psychotherapy remedies can help relieve
anxiety symptoms:
Cognitive behavioural therapy – several
studies have supported using CBT in
anxiety treatment. Coupled with medication
and lifestyle changes, such as exercise
and reducing consumption of caffeine and
stimulants, CBT helps patients re-write
their stories and improve their quality of
life.
Talk therapy – most people develop
anxiety disorders because of stuffing
their feelings and life occurrences.
Stored emotions slowly build up, causing a
state of uncertainty. Attending talk
therapy sessions can help affected persons
offload some emotions and feelings.
Dialectical behavioural therapy – DBT
resembles CBT and helps anxious persons
achieve mindful focus, distress tolerance,
emotion regulation, and interpersonal
effectiveness. Learning these four
important tools helps patients accept the
present, increase their tolerance of
negative emotions, manage intense
emotions, and communicate effectively with
others.
Eye movement desensitization and
reprocessing – EMDR is an effective
holistic approach that alleviates anxiety
symptoms using trauma or external stimuli.
The therapy uses vibrating objects or
flashing lights to stimulate brain centres
responsible for emotions and
feelings.
Mindfulness and Meditation
You should also try mindfulness and
meditation at home or in rehab centres if
you have been diagnosed with anxiety.
Fortunately, learning to practice
mindfulness and meditate is simple. You can
access endless resources, including YouTube,
audiobooks, and meditation apps. If you are
admitted to an inpatient treatment centre,
you can enjoy the guidance of experienced
professionals.
Get Help Today
If you have been diagnosed with an anxiety
disorder or struggling with undiagnosed
anxiety disorder, know that you are not
alone. However, you should see a mental
health professional if the symptoms
interfere with activities of daily life or
cause significant distress.
The Retreat New Zealand
offers dual diagnosis anxiety treatment
options. This combines both
non-pharmacologic and non-addictive anxiety
treatment options. On-site psychiatrists
prescribe non-habit-forming medication that
suits individual needs, while counsellors
and therapists take on intensive therapeutic
care.