Besides the natural methods utilized as treatment for anxiety, medication is used when the symptoms of anxiety are so intense that they greatly interfere with the person normal way of functioning. For example, somebody suffering from social anxiety feels so panicky that he/she is not able to give a presentation to a group of people at work or school.
Medication can be used in a short term basis, as for example, to help the person suffering from anxiety to handle a specific situation, such as, flying in a plane or giving a presentation. In these cases, tranquilizers are normally used.
Medication can also be used in a longer term basis to improve the overall symptoms of anxiety.
Keep in mind that medication does not cure anxiety and that it is used for symptomatic treatment, i.e., to alleviate anxiety symptoms.
Listed below are the types of medication that are normally used to treat anxiety:
ANTIDEPRESSANTS
Antidepressant medication was also found to be effective for treatment of anxiety. This category of medication includes the tricyclic antidepressants, MAOIs and the SSRIs, which are the most popular antidepressant that is used for anxiety treatment.
Antidepressants take more than 4 weeks to start alleviating the symptoms of anxiety and they must be taken every day. They can not be taken on an as needed basis as the tranquilizers.
SSRIs – Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor
This type of medication increases the amount of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that is involved with mood regulation and feelings of well being. Low levels of this chemical in the brain can cause anxiety and depression.
Medications that are under this category include Celexa, Cipramil, Lexapro, Cipralex, Prozac, Luvox, Paxil, Aropax, Zoloft, etc.
TRANQUILIZERS
Tranquilizers include barbiturates, azapirones and benzodiazepines, which is the type of tranquilizer that is most used for anxiety treatment.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines start to produce effect very fast, i.e., in about 30 minutes after taken by mouth. The intensity of the effect will depend on the dose and also if the medication was taken on an empty stomach or not.
These medications work by calming the nervous system. They also produce muscle relaxation.
The following medications are within this category: Alprazolam (Xanax), Chlordiazepoxide (Librium), Clonazepam (Klonopin), Diazepam (Valium), Lorazepam (Ativan).
BETA-BLOCKERS
This type of medication is mainly used to treat diseases related to the heart and high-blood pressure. It alleviates symptoms of anxiety such as shaky hands, sweating and pounding heart. Because of that, it helps anxious people to concentrate better on the task being performed.
This medication can be used as an aid for social anxiety treatment and also to help with performance anxiety.
Beta blocker medication that is utilized for anxiety includes Propranolol (Inderal) and Atenolol (Tenormin).
SIDE-EFFECTS
Side effects of anxiety medication will vary from person to person and will depend upon the specific medication being taken. Listed below are some side-effects for each different category of medication:
SSRIs
- Dry mouth
- Weight gain or loss
- Suicidal thoughts
- Restlessness
- Aggressiveness
- Insomnia
- Drowsiness
- Nausea
Benzodiazepines
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Decreased alertness
- Decreased concentration
- Slower reaction
- Slower thinking
- Paradoxical reactions (aggressiveness, irritability, impulsivity, etc)
Beta-blockers
- Weakness, dizziness
- Cold hands and feet
- Fatigue
- Dry mouth, eyes, and skin