There are always new advances being made in the field of medicine, and anti anxiety medications are no exception. That being said, we need to start off with a word of caution or two. First, you should always talk to your personal health care provider about all of your medical concerns, and that includes concerns related to anxiety or anti anxiety medication. Second, because there are new developments being made, any information that follows may be succeeded by new findings. Okay, now that we got that out of the way, here are a few things you should know.
It seems as though today's society is quick to solve even the slightest medical complaint with a prescription; and just because it's a possible solution doesn't mean it's always the best solution. One of the peculiarities of patients with anxiety is that they may be anxious about taking the very medication that could help them not have anxiety. This concern can often be alleviated by educating the patient about their treatment options and the pros and cons of any medications likely to be prescribed.
While anti anxiety medications can bring a lot of relief, they do more to treat anxiety, as opposed to actually curing it. Additionally, as with any medication, there is always the chance of side effects, some of which can be severe. There is also the possibility of developing a dependency or addiction. For these reasons, it's a good idea to not stay on a prescription for longer than necessary. However, you should always discuss this with your doctor; you should never stop taking medication on your own.
The class of drugs known as benzodiazepines are good at quickly alleviating anxiety, and that makes them a good choice for those who have panic attacks. Some of the more popular anti anxiety medications of this type include Klonopin (generic name clonazepam), Ativan (generic name lorazepam), Xanax (generic name alprazolam), and Valium (generic name diazepam). Common side effects include mental fogginess, lack of coordination and drowsiness; so you should know how you will react to them before doing anything that requires you to be alert. In fact, many patients describe having less feelings overall, good or bad.
As of now, the most prescribed medications to fight anxiety are SSRIs (short for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), which are a type of antidepressant. Brand names of SSRIs include Zoloft, Lexapro, Paxil, Celexa and Prozac. Common side effects include nervousness, sleepiness, dizziness, gaining weight, nausea, headaches, and sexual dysfunction. An SSRI tends to take longer to work, anywhere from four to eight weeks, so it's better for those with more general anxiety. On the plus side, these medications have a lower risk of dependency.
The main thing to remember about anti anxiety medications is that, while they may not be a cure-all, they can give you hope. Be sure to have a good talk with your doctor about your symptoms, as well as your concerns about medication.
