Antidepressants — especially of the “SSRI” category like fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), citalopram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro) — are excellent in the treatment of many anxiety disorders. No one can predict the response a specific individual will have to a specific anti-anxiety medication. Metoprolol is very beneficial in improving the cardiovascular system and thus used in treating hypertension. Benzodiazepine is the drug doctors most often prescribe. If you experience daily symptoms of an anxiety disorder, your prescriber might recommend an antidepressant as the best option for you. You’ve probably read about some claiming the combo to be life-changing. A.M. Boyle Last Modified Date: September 01, 2020 . Other medications must be taken for a long time to maintain their results.Another important consideration is the effect of medication on therapy. Serious misuse, dependency and addiction can stem from too many prescription drugs dealt by the hands of responsible doctors and pharmacists 1. 5Vicens, Caterina, Isabel Socias, Catalina Mateu, Alfonso Leiva, Ferran Bejarano, Ermengol Sempere, Josep Basora et al. "Anxiety disorders: a comprehensive review of pharmacotherapies." They can advise on the best treatment plan for you that will help manage your specific symptoms.© 2005-2020 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Anxiolytics, or anti-anxiety medications, such as benzodiazepines (Xanax, Klonopin, and the like) can cause drowsiness, confusion, sedation, and weight gain. CONS: Tired (mild), weight gain (mild) Erectile dysfunction (mild), Heart skipping a … Hundreds of people have attested to the powerful combination of therapy and anti-anxiety medication. Therefore, medications designed to influence a neurotransmitter's activity in one set of brain circuits may also have a side effect of influencing completely unrelated processes. In the case of anti-anxiety medications, side effects can range from an upset stomach to confusion, and from muscle weakness to sexual dysfunction. You may be concerned about the pros and cons of taking anxiety medications, prescription or otherwise. Pros: 1. Rather, "it's crucial to weigh the pros and cons: the benefits of the medicine against the effect on the bones," he says. Anti-anxiety medication is typically used to treat general anxiety disorder. "Comparative efficacy of two primary care interventions to assist withdrawal from long term benzodiazepine use: A protocol for a clustered, randomized clinical trial." 4) They may not be effective for you. It’s been shown as a viable treatment option for short-term anxiety, especially before a stressful event. Under a doctor's supervision, a person may have to try a few different medications before finding the one that works best. 3) It is not a “miracle” drug that will solve all your problems. The first step to feeling better is reaching out for help. 1) At first, your initial symptoms of depression/anxiety may increase. This prevents adrenaline from making your heart pump harder or faster.In addition to relaxing your heart, some beta-blockers also relax your blood vessels, which can help to reduce blood pressure.There are many beta-blockers available, but some of the more common ones include:All beta-blockers used to treat anxiety are prescribed off-label. Research tells us that antidepressants are only effective for those with severe symptoms of depression as opposed to those with notably less severe symptoms. Select one or more newsletters to continue. 5) Weaning off the drug is a long process and comes with withdrawal symptoms such as: increased drowsiness, brain zaps, and dizziness. This topic appears to be controversial as the stigma surrounding mental illness does not give the prescription of, nor consumption of, 1) Finding the ‘right’ dose will be effective. Anti-Anxiety Medication Pros for Teenagers. Medications used to increase serotonin levels in the brain may also affect intestinal processes because serotonin plays a key role in coordinating muscle contraction in the intestines. Anxiety and depression are mental illnesses that should be taken seriously. 4) Antidepressants may help you with being able to decipher between ‘anxiety’ and ‘depressive’ thoughts verses your 5) Once the medication kicks in, expect an increase in motivation and decrease in fear.7) Literature on anti-depressants states that all medications are equally effective.9) Medication is NOT addictive despite what people may tell you. "Pharmacotherapy of anxiety disorders: a critical review." Sher, Robertas Bunevicius, Eric Hollander, Siegfried Kasper, Joseph Zohar, and Abigail.... 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