Overcoming Anxiety

Medication is one of the most used treatment methods used by doctors and psychiatrists for the prevention and alleviation of anxiety symptoms. There are thousands of medications on the market that have been approved by various governments for anxiety treatment. The problem for many people seeking relief from the symptoms of anxiety is a) the cost of medications, and b) the potential for undesirable side effects. In some countries, there are some health insurance providers that will not cover the cost of anti-anxiety medication.

How Effective is Anxiety Medication?

Under guidance from a registered medical professional, medication can relieve some of the symptoms of anxiety. However effective anxiety treatment requires non-medication treatments to produce lasting changes and continuing relief from anxiety. Whilst correctly prescribed medication may provide relief from anxiety symptoms, it doesn’t cure the underlying problem and is usually not a long-term solution, and health professionals will normally recommend complementary treatments for anxiety, such as therapy or group programs. The problem is that many people are not familiar with all natural treatments and believe that medication is the only way to treat their anxiety. In order to decide whether anxiety medication is right for you, it’s essential to talk to your doctor and weigh the medication benefits against the drawbacks. Once you’ve researched your options, including natural remedies and lifestyle changes that may help, you can make an informed decision.

Side Effects of Anxiety Medication

Anti-anxiety drugs work by changing the chemistry in the brain. Their relaxing and calming effects have made them very popular: anti-anxiety drugs are the most widely prescribed type of medication for anxiety. They are also prescribed as sleeping pills and muscle relaxants. While this temporarily relieves anxiety, however, it can also lead to unwanted side effects. In general, the higher the prescribed dose, the more pronounced these side effects. Some of the side effects caused by these medications can be more damaging and hard to deal with then common symptoms associated with anxiety. They include: drowsiness, clumsiness, slurred speech, confusion, dizziness, memory loss, nausea and blurred vision. These side effects can cause problems with work, school, or everyday activities such as driving. Some people even report feeling like they have a medication hangover the next day. Many varieties of anxiety medication have very damaging side effects. In fact, some forms of anxiety medication have also been proven to actually cause major complications and side effects such as: migraines, mental fatigue, sleep disorders, seizures, digestive issues, depression, and eating disorders.  It is recommended that anyone who is considering the use of anxiety medications should first explore all the other options available. Additionally, you should consult your medical professional, as well as undertake personal research to acquire as much information as possible about the medication you are thinking about taking and the side effects that you could possibly experience. If you decide to begin taking anxiety medication you should immediately note any negative effects which they experience, and then urgently discuss them with the physician or medical professional who prescribed the medications for you. As will all medications, it is crucial to always monitor your the side effects you may experience whilst taking anxiety medications, so as to avoid potentially damaging effects to your overall physical and mental health. The list below presents the names and some details on some of the more common medications used in the treatment of anxiety. If you are prescribed any of these medications, you should ask your physician and/or pharmacist to provide you with a detailed medication information sheet so you can better understand the effects, and side effects of that medication.

Anxiety Medications:

Anxiety Medication: Zoloft (sertraline)

Zoloft is one of the most prescribed medications for the treatment of anxiety. This form of medication is in a class of medications known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI). This same class of medication also includes many other medications used in anxiety treatment such as Prozak, Paxil, Celexa, and Luvo

x. When a person takes Zoloft it serves the purpose of balancing out the levels of serotonin in a person’s brain. In effect it will actually alleviate the symptoms that are caused by anxiety. This variety of anxiety medication has been used to treat the following types of anxiety: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Panic Disorder, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Social Anxiety Disorder. The following side effects may be experienced by an individual who uses Zoloft: tiredness, nervousness, dizziness, insomnia, mania, body tremors, stomach pains and nausea, weight loss, a decrease in appetite, dry mouth, heart palpitations and bipolar disorder. It has also been known to cause suicidal thoughts in some people.

Anxiety Medication: Paxil

Paxil works in a similar way to Zoloft, in that it corrects chemical imbalances in the brain caused by a lack of serotonin. Whilst it is one of the the most prescribed anxiety medications on the market it has been known to have very dangerous side effects. One of the the recorded side effects of Paxil is anxiety, even though it is regularly prescribed for the treatment of anxiety. Other side effects include loss of appetite, stomach pains, diarrhea, loss of appetite and weight loss, constipation, stomach ulcers, sweating, increased blood pressure, and worryingly it has been known to cause seizures in individuals who have never experienced a seizure before. It is worth noting that there are lawsuits being filed against GlaxoSmithKline (the manufacturer of Paxil) due to birth defects being found in babies where the mother took Paxil during pregnancy. To date GlaxoSmithKlein has paid out millions in compensation. Read more here about the Paxil lawsuits.

Anxiety Medication: BuSpar (buspirone)

Buspirone, also known by the brand name BuSpar, is a newer anti-anxiety drug that acts as a mild tranquilizer. Buspirone relieves anxiety by increasing serotonin in the brain (as Zoloft and Paxil does) and decreasing dopamine. Compared to traditional anti-anxiety medications like Xanax, buspirone is slow acting. It takes about two weeks to start working on anxiety. However, it has several advantages over the older anti-anxiety drugs: it’s not as sedating, it doesn’t impair memory and coordination, it’s not very addictive, and the withdrawal effects are minimal.

Anxiety Medication: Zanax (alprazolam)

Xanax is in a group of drugs called benzodiazepines. It affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause anxiety. It is used to treat anxiety disorders, panic disorders, and anxiety caused by depression. Xanax may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Xanax should never be shared with another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Like all medications, Zanax should be kept in a secure place where others cannot get to it.

Anxiety Medication: Prozac

A number of years ago Prozac was the most prescribed anxiety medication. However, due to the major side effects caused by Prozac, and the availability of newer anxiety medication, doctors are being more careful when it comes to prescribing this type of medication.  As with most anti-anxiety and anti-depressant medications close monitoring by a physician or medical professional should occur when people commence taking Prozac until their body adjusts to the levels of medication. This is done in case an individual experiences suicidal thoughts or dangerous mood swings. Prozac side effects are similar to those of  Zoloft and Paxil, but an  additional side effect can be the inflammation of the nerves and blood vessels. However, its most dangerous side effects are suicidal thoughts and seizures.

Other anti-anxiety drug risk factors

As discussed, people who take anti anxiety medications may experience unpleasant or dangerous side effects. However as with most medications, there are certain individuals may be at a higher risk:

• People over 65: Older adults are more sensitive to the sedating effects of anxiety medication. Even small doses may cause confusion, amnesia, loss of balance, and cognitive impairment that looks like dementia. In addition anxiety medication use in the elderly is associated with an increased risk of falls, broken bones, and car accidents.
• Pregnant women: Expectant mothers should avoid anxiety medications (especially diazapams) as they are known to cross the placenta. Their use during pregnancy can lead to dependence in the baby. Following birth, the baby will then go through withdrawal, with symptoms such as muscle weakness, irritability, sleep and breathing problems, and trembling. These anxiety drugs are excreted in breast milk, so they should be avoided while breastfeeding, too.
• People with a history of substance abuse. Anyone with a current or former problem with alcohol or drugs should avoid anti-anxiety drugs or use them only with extreme caution. The greatest benefit of benzodiazepines is that they work quickly, but this also makes them addictive. This can quickly lead to their abuse, often in dangerous combination with alcohol or other illicit drugs.

Things To Keep In Mind Concerning Anxiety Medication

When it comes to taking medication the anxiety sufferer should go to great lengths to acquire as much information as possible about the medication that they are taking. Additionally, if a child will be taking medication the parents should familiarize themselves with the side effects and should monitor their child in order to make sure they are not succumbing to depression or suicidal thoughts. Additionally, an individual should consider the expenses and overall cost of the medications which they will be using. This should be considered along with whether or not a health insurance provider will cover the cost of the medication. Additionally, you may wish to look to natural treatments that produce the same overall effects and benefits of prescription anxiety medications.

Disclaimer: please note we are not medical doctors or psychiatrists and are not qualified or licensed to prescribe medication or advise you on the use of prescription medications. Always consult with a licensed medical professional prior to starting, or making changes to a medication regime. Having said that, there is a lot of information online about the side effects of prescription medications, and alternatives to prescription medication for anxiety treatment for the relief or cure of anxiety symptoms.