Combating Anxiety: Will a Pill Do the Trick?
At certain points in your life, you might have been plagued with
worry. It might have been in the wake of beginning a marriage,
starting a new career, or caring for a sick child. The worry
might have affected you not only emotionally but physically as
well. You might have experienced feelings of uneasiness,
faintness, or breathing troubles.
There are degrees of severity when it comes to anxiety. For
instance, it can be mild, lasting only a day or two, or severe,
lasting an entire month. You might experience generalized
anxiety disorder or something more specific such as phobias,
panic, or post-traumatic stress disorder.
Anxiety might be treated with an anti-depressant or an
anti-anxiety medication. Generally speaking, there are three
categories of anti-depressants: selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitors or SSRIs; tricyclics; and monoamine oxidase
inhibitors or MAOIs. SSRIs include Paxil, Prozac, and Zoloft.
These anti-depressants often have fewer side-effects than the
older generation of anti-depressants. Initially, you might feel
nervous taking SSRIs, but the feeling often disappears after a
few weeks. One of the most important side-effects of these drugs
is sexual dysfunction, which can often be corrected by changing
the dosage.
Tricyclics tend to have side effects such as sleepiness,
dizziness, and weight gain. They are older than the SSRIs, so
there has been more research conducted on them. Meanwhile, MAOIs
can cause a reaction if mixed with certain foods and drinks,
such as cheese and wine. These reactions can include increased
blood pressure and other life-threatening problems.
Side-effects of anti-anxiety medications include fatigue,
confusion, or drowsiness. The medications may be taken two or
three times a day or just when needed. Dosage starts low then
increases until symptoms disappear. The amount of medication
prescribed varies according to symptoms and a person's body
chemistry. Doctors generally believe that you should not drink
alcohol while taking anti-anxiety medication because the
combination can create a life-threatening situation.
Because the medication can lead to dependence, the drugs are
usually prescribed for only days or weeks at a time. In fact, a
user might be directed to take the medication only when symptoms
of anxiety occur. In some cases, individuals suffering from
anxiety may need treatment for an extended period of time. If
you begin taking anti-anxiety medication, it is important that
you stay on it until the doctor recommends that you stop taking
it. If you stop abruptly, you may experience anxiety, dizziness,
or loss of appetite. Common forms of anxiety medication include
Valium, Ativan, and Xanax.
At times, physicians may prescribe beta-blockers to combat
anxiety. While beta-blockers such as propanolol may be used to
deal with heart damage, they have also emerged as an effective
treatment for social anxiety. If you face a stressful situation,
such as a job interview, your physician may give you a
beta-blocker that can keep your palms from sweating, your head
from swelling, and treat other symptoms of anxiety.
There are certain steps you should take before you begin a drug
regimen for anxiety. For instance, you should do your homework
on the drug. Find out what side-effects it causes, and determine
whether you can live with those side-effects. Also, you'll need
to inform your doctor of any over-the-counter medications you
are using. Be sure to find out how long you will have to take
the drug. You should realize that if you decide to stop taking
the drug, you could find symptoms of anxiety reappearing.
If you've been diagnosed with anxiety, it can be a daunting
experience. You may not know where to go or who to turn to.
However, it's best if you begin your search for treatment with
your family physician, who can refer you to a psychiatrist if
need be. While any type of anxiety medication can lead to
side-effects, many people report good experiences, particularly
with SSRIs. By working closely with your physician, you can find
the medication that's appropriate for you. However, you should
know that medication may be only one part of the treatment
puzzle. You may also need to engage in talk therapy or join a
support group in order to alleviate your symptoms. The good news
is that the prognosis is good for those who've been diagnosed
with anxiety.