Anxiety Medication : How It Helps In Anxiety, Fear & Depression Disorder

Anxiety is a broad term which engulfs feeling like fear, uneasiness, and worry. According to research conducted recently nearly 34 percent of the people have suffered from some form of anxiety during their entire lifespan. It is normal to feel some level of anxiety a few times however, if the anxiety becomes either persistent or intense then it may be an indication for anxiety disorder. There are various types of medications available at the disposal of the doctor to treat the problem associated with an anxiety disorder. Depending upon the severity of the condition a doctor may either recommend medicine also or he/she may supplement the medicine with some kind of therapy like cognitive behavioral therapy.

The various types of medications available to treat the anxiety symptoms of an individual are

• SSRI (Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors): This medication belongs to the category of antidepressants. SSRI is prescribed by the doctor to only treat anxiety symptom but it also helps in the treatment of OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder). It is the first line of treatment given by doctors. This medication performs its function by restricting the reabsorption of serotonin by the nerve cells of the brain. The effect of the medicine can take up to 2 to 6 weeks. Doctors usually prescribe SSRI for a period of 12 months. The best thing about SSRI medication is that it does not have any habit-forming tendencies. Some of the examples of SSRI medications are escitalopram, Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, and Celexa.
• SNRI (Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors): these medications also belong to the category of antidepressants. This medication performs its function by restricting the reabsorption of chemical like norepinephrine and serotonin by the brain nerve cells. Examples of SNRI are venlafaxine and Duloxetine.
• Benzodiazepines: these types of medications belong to the category of sedative drugs which alleviate the physical symptoms associated with anxiety like tension in the muscles. The effects of this medication can be observed within a few minutes after the consumption of the medication. These medications are addictive in nature thus they are prescribed only for a short duration of time. Some examples of benzodiazepines include Xanax, Valium, Ativan, and Librium.
• Tricyclic antidepressants: these medications are rarely prescribed for the treatment of anxiety disorders due to a number of side effects associated with the use of this medication.Some examples of TCA are Pamelor, Elavil, and Tofranil. Some other medications which may be prescribed by the doctor for treating the condition of anxiety disorder are
• Buspirone: these are anti-anxiety medication which can be used for either short term or long term treatment of the anxiety disorder symptoms. These medications have fewer side effects associated with their use.
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors: these medications are commonly referred to as MAOIs. These medications are prescribed by the doctor to treat the symptoms of social phobia and panic disorder associated with an anxiety disorder. Some of the examples of MAOIs are Nardil, Parnate, Marplan, Emsam.
• Beta-blockers: a doctor may recommend beta-blocker off the label to treat certain scenarios associated with anxiety. These medications perform their function by inhibiting the effects of norepinephrine. Some examples of beta-blockers are propranolol and atenolol.

In order to determine which medication is best for the treatment of anxiety disorder a doctor may take the following considerations into his/her account

• Symptoms: a doctor first takes into account the type of symptom which is being experienced by a person suffering from the condition of anxiety disorder.
• Medical history: it is essential for the doctor to take into account the medical history of the patient before prescribing any medication. Sometimes medications can interact with a pre-existing medical condition.
• Severity of the condition: a doctor decides which anxiety medication is best for the patient by taking into account the consistency and intensity of the symptoms being experienced.
• Drug interaction: before prescribing anti-anxiety medication the doctor chooses the best medication by taking into account the other over the counter medications being taken by a patient so that medicines do not interact with one another and cause further deterioration of health.

There is rarely a medicine which does not have any side effect associated with it. Some of the side effects associated with the medicines may be minor while others may be serious. In case of a serious side effect a doctor must be consulted immediately. Given below is a non-exhaustive list of the side effects associated with the use of anxiety medications The side effects of SSRI anxiety medication are

• Problem in digestion
• Nausea
• Headache
• Weight gain
• Drowsiness
• Erectile dysfunction
• Problem with sleep
• Blurred vision
• Dry mouth
• Dizziness.

The side effects associated with SNRI medications are

• Increased blood pressure
• Excessive sweating
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Pain in the head
• Dry mouth
• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Constipation
• Diarrhea

The side effects associated with the use of a benzodiazepine for the treatment of anxiety disorder include

• Foggy vision
• Confusion
• Drowsiness
• Diarrhea

Problem with coordination

• Loss of memory
• Dizziness
• Addiction
• Seizures

The side effects exhibited by a patient using TCA for the treatment of anxiety disorder are

• Weight loss
• Hazy vision
• Constipation
• Lightheadedness
• Increased appetite
• Tremors
• Erectile dysfunction
• Drowsiness
• Difficulty in urinating
• Low blood pressure after standing up

The side effects of buspirone are inclusive of

• Nausea
• Pain in the muscles
• Headache
• Sweating
• Weakness
• Diarrhea
• Foggy vision
• Tiredness
• Poor concentration
• Drowsiness
• Restlessness

People taking MAOIs for the treatment of anxiety disorder experience the following side effects

• Sexual problems
• Weight gain
• Drowsiness
• Problem with sleep
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Lightheadedness
• Constipation
• Sweating
• Difficulty in urination

The side effects of using beta-blocker for treating anxiety disorder include

• Depression
• Shortness of breath
• Extreme tiredness
• Weight gain
• Low blood pressure
• Cold hands and feet.

If a child gets diagnosed with an anxiety disorder then a parent might wonder what kind of medication would be best for the treatment without having any severe side effects. The doctors usually prescribe drugs which have been studied well in kids. Doctors prefer to given SSRI medications to the kids as they are non-addictive, have fewer side effects, and are only required to be taken once a day. Some of the examples of SSRIs which can be prescribed for children are

• Prozac
• Paxil
• Celexa
• Lexapro
• Zoloft

The dose of the medicine to be given to the child is decided by the doctor and it should not be tampered with.

Nearly one-third of the world’s population has experienced anxiety problems at some stage of their life. There are various medications available that help in the treatment of anxiety disorder. However, it is important to choose the best medication for the treatment with the help of your doctor. Anxiety medications are also available for children. These medications must not be stopped without consulting the doctor.