Mental Health Medications for Anxiety

A number of drugs are used to treat the symptoms of anxiety disorders. These symptoms are

• Irritability
• Discomfort
• Nervousness
• Feelings of anxiety
• fast or irregular heartbeat
• Stomach upset or nausea
• Discomfort
• Diseases of the respiratory tract.

If you have an anxiety disorder, this feeling can sometimes be useful do you think of coping and can disrupt your daily life. Anxiety disorders are more than just a case of "nerves." Diseases are often based on the composition and biological life experiences of the individual, and often run in families. There are a variety of anxiety disorders, each with its own characteristics. Read this article to learn more about anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Can make a great deal of anxiety or prolonged state of anxiety the activities of daily life difficult or impossible. Anxiolytics and antidepressants are used to treat anxiety disorders. Many antidepressants are effective in anxiety disorders and depression. The first drug approved to treat OCD was the tricyclic antidepressant clomipramine (Anafranil). SSRIs fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil) and sertraline (Zoloft) have been approved for use. OCD Paroxetine has been approved is also for social anxiety disorder (social phobia), anxiety disorder, and panic disorders; and sertraline is approved for panic disorder and PTSD. venlafaxine (Effexor) has been approved for GAD.

The largest group of anxiolytics benzodiazepines. This category includes clonazepam (Klonopin), alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium) and lorazepam (Ativan). Benzodiazepines can relieve the symptoms usually in a short period. They have relatively few side effects: drowsiness and loss of coordination are most common; Can also cause fatigue and mental slowing or confusion. These effects make it dangerous for people to drive the benzodiazepines or operate machinery. Other side effects are rare.

Different people react differently to benzodiazepines way. Some people may need two or three times a day, others only once per day, or on an "as needed" basis. The dose is usually started low and gradually increases until the symptoms are reduced or eliminated level. The dose varies greatly depending on the symptoms and your body chemistry.

You should avoid alcohol when taking benzodiazepines, because the interaction between benzodiazepines and alcohol can lead to life-threatening complications and perhaps. Make sure your doctor about other medications you are taking.

Benzodiazepines are usually prescribed for a short time-days or weeks, sometimes given on an "as needed" just to stress or anxiety attacks. If you take these drugs for weeks or months, you can develop a tolerance or dependence. Tolerance means that you have to take more drugs, for this to work. Dependence means that you develop withdrawal symptoms when you stop. Taking the drug Some people abuse these drugs to get high. Some patients with severe anxiety may require long-term treatment. Agents more than clonazepam (Klonopin) and diazepam (Valium) can produce withdrawal symptoms milder than short-acting drugs such as alprazolam (Xanax) and lorazepam (Ativan).

Be sure to talk to your doctor before discontinuing a benzodiazepine. A withdrawal reaction may occur if treatment is stopped suddenly. Withdrawal symptoms may be,

• Anxiety
• Tremor
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Insomnia
• Anorexia
• Cramps.

Ironically, many of these symptoms are similar to symptoms sought treatment for anxiety. To avoid these symptoms, your doctor will probably reduce the dose gradually medication gradually.

Buspirone (Buspar) is a medicine specifically for other than benzodiazepines anxiety disorders. It differs from benzodiazepines, as it must be taken regularly for at least 2 to work. Do not take buspirone on an "as needed" basis.

Beta-blockers such as propranolol (Inderal, Inderide) are sometimes used to control "nervousness" or other forms of anxiety. These medications are often used to treat heart disease and hypertension.

Last updated 17/11/05