Anxiety and Medication

Many people may believe that anti anxiety medications might offer a quick solution to your anxiety problem. They are not always the best method of treatment, or necessary. Anti anxiety medication may include benzodiazepines--the more traditional anxiety medication--, SSRI’s (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), antidepressants or beta-blockers. Medication can help reduce your anxiety disorder while you receive therapy to get to the root of the problem. Though, just to let you know that these types of drugs don't cure the cause of the anxiety disorder and they do come with side effects. Taking these types of medications for an extended period of time is not recommended.

Benzodiazepines can reduce anxiety quickly--usually within an hour--so they are a good option if you are having a panic or anxiety attack. Side effects of benzodiazepines include sleepiness, fogginess, and/or a feeling of being uncoordinated, all of which can cause problems if you need to be functional and alert. Benzodiazepines take a long time to metabolize. For this reason, they can build up in your body if used for a long time. If you suffer from this build up, the side effects may worsen and you could develop slurred speech, confusion, depression, dizziness, inability to think clearly and reason, memory loss and nausea, or the inability to "feel" anything. Benzodiazepines decrease your anxiety but they also decrease feelings of pleasure and pain.

Most commonly prescribed antidepressants are SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and they also carry side effects: nausea, nervousness, headaches, sleepiness, sexual dysfunction, dizziness, nausea, and weight gain.

The advantage of antidepressants versus traditional benzodiazepines is that the risk for dependency and abuse is less. However, the downside of antidepressants is that it takes several weeks for them to start working--so, they are not meant for a quick relief of panic attacks.

Beta blockers are generally used to treat high blood pressure and heart problems. But they can work for anxiety too by blocking the effects of norepinephrine; a stress hormone involved in the fight-or-flight response. Beta blockers alleviate the physical symptoms of anxiety like rapid heart rate, sweating, dizziness, and trembling voice and hands but not the emotional side of anxiety.

These medications do not cure anxiety. Once you stop taking the medication, it is possible that the anxiety will come back if not treated (using therapy or some type of anxiety program). Therefore, it is a good idea to talk to your doctor or therapist about treatment options and how Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can help you overcome anxiety permanently. Also, if you insist on taking medication, you should consider an herbal supplement such as Seredyn. Seredyn is a non-habit forming herbal supplement which utilizes natural ingredients which have been known to help alleviate anxiety.

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