Anxiety Medications: The Best Drugs For Anxiety Help
Posted on | September 17, 2009 | No Comments
If you are suffering from the symptoms of anxiety, there is no reason to continue to suffer. I still cannot understand why anyone would endure panic attacks and depression when there are so many treatment options available. Often, anxiety medications is used as an adjunct to anxiety therapy. In this article, I will provide an overview each class of anti anxiety medication.
Benzodiazepines
This class of anxiety medications is very effective for treating panic attacks and are probably the most well known of medications for anxiety treatment. Some of the benzodiaepines include:
- Alprazolam (Xanax),
- Lorazepam (Ativan), and
- lonazepam (Klonopin).
These are fast acting medications but have some serious side effects such as dependency and withdrawal symptoms. In elderly people, other side effects such as memory loss and
confusion have been observed.
When I was suffering from panic attacks, my symptoms of anxiety were complicated by a rotator cuff injury that mimicked cardiac symptoms. Even though the doctors could not find any cardiac problems, the symptoms persisted and morphed into anxiety.
My doctor prescribed a small amount of alprazolam and instructed me to take one when I suffered the next episode of “cardiac symptoms.” I did as instructed and the symptoms went away within an hour.
At that point, I knew my symptoms were related to anxiety and not my heart. Interestingly, this went a long way toward diminishing my anxiety, even after the medication wore off.
Anti-Depressants
Most commonly, a class of depression medication called tricyclic drugs are prescribed to treat generalized anxiety disorder. The main problem with disadvantage of tricyclic drugs is that they sometimes produce heart palpitations and dizziness. Other side effects of this type of depression medication include fatigue and weight gain. Because this class of drugs works slowly, they are often prescribed with benzodiazepines when the patient is first diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.
Among this class of drugs, imipramine (Tofranil) is considered to be the best treatment for anxiety. Some of the other tricyclic drugs include:
- Anafranil (clomipramine)
- Norpramin (desipramine), and
- Pamelor (nortryptyline).
In addition to the tricyclics mentioned above, MAO (monoamine oxidase) Inhibitors are also used in treating panic disorders. Unfortunately, these drugs also can negatively affect your health because the drug contains tyramine, which is also found in certain foods. As a result, the patient must follow a restrictive diet.
Lastly, the patient can also take SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) drugs which includes Prozac (fluoxetine), and Zoloft (sertraline), Paxil (paroxetine)
Azapirones
The main azipirone is a drug called buspirone, sold under the brand name of BuSpar. It can be used to treat different types of anxiety disorders. However, as with tricyclic drugs, buspirones are also slower to act than benzodiazepines.
Do Not Suffer In Silence: Anxiety Medications Are Available
If you are suffering from symptoms of depression and anxiety, you need not continue to suffer alone. Effective anxiety therapy and anxiety medications are available and effective in treating anxiety as well as depression that often results in conjunction with a generalized anxiety disorder.
In addition, the medications discussed above are some of the best choices for anxiety help. Consult with your primary care physician and develop a course of treatment that best fits your situation.
Anxiety medications are often used as an adjunct to anxiety therapy and the two are designed to work symbiotically with each other. Together, you and your mental health advisor can design an effective combination of each to treat your anxiety disorder.
Related posts:
- Anxiety treatment: What To Expect From Anxiety Therapy
- Panic Attacks? Anxiety Help Is Available
- Bipolar Disorder Treatment: Overcoming Manic Depressive Disorder
Tags: anxiety therapy > anxiety treatment > depression medication > depression treatment > treating anxiety
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