Based in Richmond, Virginia, Dr. Sridhar Yaratha is an experienced psychiatric professional who cares for patients as a psychiatrist at Gateway Homes. Dr. Sridhar Yaratha works with people who suffer from anxiety disorders, an issue that has seen an increase since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The following are three types of medications that may be used to treat anxiety. Antidepressants Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, are particularly useful in treating and preventing anxiety disorders. Some SSRIs that are widely used are citalopram (Celexa), fluoxetine (Prozac), and sertraline (Zoloft). Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors may also be prescribed. Antihistamines and beta-blockers These types of medications are often used for mild anxiety and performance anxiety, which is classified as a type of social anxiety disorder. These drugs are taken on an as-needed basis, compared to SSRIs and SNRIs, which are taken daily. Benzodiazepines This class of drugs is used for acute anxiety, also known as panic attacks. It includes alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium), clonazepam (Klonopin), and lorazepam (Ativan). These drugs can cause side effects such as drowsiness and physical dependence, but are much safer than barbiturates, a class of drugs that used to be prescribed for similar problems.