- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are first-choice options for treating generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
- If an SSRI or SNRI doesn’t work, there are other options. These include buspirone and hydroxyzine. Sometimes, these medications may be added to an SSRI or SNRI.
- Don’t rely on benzodiazepines alone to treat GAD. They should only be used as short-term add-on therapy to another medication like an SSRI or SNRI.
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Worrying about certain aspects of your life from time to time is completely normal. But if you ever feel your anxiety is out of proportion, it’s a good idea to reach out to your healthcare provider. They can help you determine if you have a specific anxiety disorder called generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
Treatment for GAD usually consists of therapy and medications. But there are many types of medications for GAD. Picking the anti-anxiety medication that’s best for you will depend on your symptoms, your medical history, and your personal preference.
How is GAD treated?
GAD treatment can involve therapy, GAD medications, or a combination of the two. Therapy techniques for anxiety include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) or acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), a type of mindfulness.
If you and your healthcare provider decide medications may be helpful, there are many to choose from. It’s worth knowing that first-choice medications work by treating anxiety symptoms in the long-term. This means that they may take a few weeks to kick in, and they may be used for many months to years.
For people who need treatment to work faster, there are short-acting medications that can help. But these aren’t considered first-choice medications. These work fast, but wear off quickly. They can help while you get established on your long-term treatment or when your anxiety symptoms are overwhelming. But they shouldn’t be taken long-term.
Medications for GAD
Imagine that all anxiety medication options are standing in a line. Naturally, you’d want the front of the line to be reserved for medications that have research to support their use, and have the fewest side effects. These are “first-choice options.” Second-choice options can be tried if first-choice options aren’t effective.
| Place in therapy | Drug class | FDA-approved for anxiety symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| First-choice medications | Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) | ✔ |
| Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) | ✔ | |
| Add-on medications | Buspirone | ✔ |
| Pregabalin | ||
| Atypical antipsychotics | ||
| Second-choice medications | Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) | |
| Atypical antidepressants | ||
| Short-term medications | Benzodiazepines | ✔ |
| Hydroxyzine | ✔ |