Anxiety Medication Side Effects - Are They Worth It?
When you are suffering from anxiety, you want to find a cure and start feeling better as soon as you can.
At some point you may wonder if anxiety medications might be right for you.
While trying to decide whether or not to take medication, it is essential to understand anxiety medication side effects and weigh the pros and cons of this form of treatment.
Side effects of anxiety medication are different for each medication and range from minor issues such as occasional nausea and light headedness to more severe problems such as suicidal thoughts.
Pregnant women, people over 65, those with other health conditions or a drug dependency history should be careful.
There are several types of anxiety medication.
One of the most common are called 'anti-anxiety' drugs and are actually tranquilizers.
Benzodiazepines are commonly prescribed for anxiety or panic attacks.
They act quickly.
Examples are Ativan, Xanax, Klonopin, and Valium.
Within 30 minutes or less, an anxiety sufferer can begin to feel relief.
However these drugs carry with them powerful anxiety medication side effects! They are extremely addictive and withdrawal from the drugs may need to be carefully managed.
Benzodiazepines act by slowing the brain down.
If you have ever taken one you will know what I mean! Everything seems to be taking place in slow motion and you feel somewhat disconnected from things and events around you.
For this reason, driving or operating equipment may not be recommended.
The drowsiness and lack of alertness can contribute to accidents! Another class of drug prescribed for anxiety are anti-depressants.
They take several weeks to act.
You might find it odd that anti-depressants would be prescribed for anxiety, but they often are and are sometimes very effective.
Each person is different, but if your anxiety seems to be treatment resistant, your doctor may decide to try anti-depressants.
Most are thought to act by impacting the levels of serotonin available within your brain.
Common anxiety medication side effects for all classes of drugs can include nervousness, headaches, sleepiness, sexual dysfunction, dizziness, stomach upset and weight gain.
Talk to your doctor about side effects of any medication you are taking before you start taking them.
Drugs have helped many people.
There are also many other very effective anti-anxiety treatment options to consider that do not involve medications.
These include cognitive behavioral therapy, meditation, herbal remedies, lifestyle modification, self hypnosis, and self help programs.
At some point you may wonder if anxiety medications might be right for you.
While trying to decide whether or not to take medication, it is essential to understand anxiety medication side effects and weigh the pros and cons of this form of treatment.
Side effects of anxiety medication are different for each medication and range from minor issues such as occasional nausea and light headedness to more severe problems such as suicidal thoughts.
Pregnant women, people over 65, those with other health conditions or a drug dependency history should be careful.
There are several types of anxiety medication.
One of the most common are called 'anti-anxiety' drugs and are actually tranquilizers.
Benzodiazepines are commonly prescribed for anxiety or panic attacks.
They act quickly.
Examples are Ativan, Xanax, Klonopin, and Valium.
Within 30 minutes or less, an anxiety sufferer can begin to feel relief.
However these drugs carry with them powerful anxiety medication side effects! They are extremely addictive and withdrawal from the drugs may need to be carefully managed.
Benzodiazepines act by slowing the brain down.
If you have ever taken one you will know what I mean! Everything seems to be taking place in slow motion and you feel somewhat disconnected from things and events around you.
For this reason, driving or operating equipment may not be recommended.
The drowsiness and lack of alertness can contribute to accidents! Another class of drug prescribed for anxiety are anti-depressants.
They take several weeks to act.
You might find it odd that anti-depressants would be prescribed for anxiety, but they often are and are sometimes very effective.
Each person is different, but if your anxiety seems to be treatment resistant, your doctor may decide to try anti-depressants.
Most are thought to act by impacting the levels of serotonin available within your brain.
Common anxiety medication side effects for all classes of drugs can include nervousness, headaches, sleepiness, sexual dysfunction, dizziness, stomach upset and weight gain.
Talk to your doctor about side effects of any medication you are taking before you start taking them.
Drugs have helped many people.
There are also many other very effective anti-anxiety treatment options to consider that do not involve medications.
These include cognitive behavioral therapy, meditation, herbal remedies, lifestyle modification, self hypnosis, and self help programs.
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