Benzodiazepines are one of the most common forms of medication used for treating anxiety and panic disorders. The most familiar benzodiazepine drug is diazepam (also known as Valium, Ativan, Klonopin and Xanax). It is a very fast-acting tranquilizer that can be taken in an empty stomach up to 6 hours before your actual anxiety attack occurs. It is also very effective in inducing sleep, so it is ideal for treating insomnia. Unfortunately, because benzodiazepines are very addictive, they must be taken often in order to achieve the full effect.
Some people suffering from anxiety find that medical treatments are not providing sufficient levels of relief. They may try prescription medications such as Paxil or Zoloft, but these do not address the core issue, which is why natural anxiety relief methods are becoming more popular. Most natural alternatives provide immediate comfort, as opposed to drugs that only mask the symptoms. People have been using herbs for many years to achieve health and healing. Many herbs have been found to be effective anxiety treatment, even those with unpleasant side effects.
If you decide to try either prescription drugs or natural alternatives, your doctor will be able to recommend a good treatment program. Prescription medications can include medication for generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder or phobias. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a type of therapy that teaches sufferers how to change their thinking patterns and reaction to stressful situations. The goal is to eliminate or reduce the amount of feared response and exposure to traumatic or disturbing events. With the help of your therapist, you will learn new ways of thinking and be better able to deal with anxiety and panic attacks.
While benzodiazepines provide quick relief, they should not be used for longer than one or two weeks. This type of medication is effective, but may not be the best option for long-term use. Because benzodiazepines cause dependency, many people find that they need to take these medications indefinitely in order to relieve anxiety. If this is the case for you, then discuss alternate methods of treating anxiety. Medication should never be the first option for treating your condition.
Another common side effect of anxiety medications is the possibility of addiction. If you become dependent on anti-anxiety pills, then you may find it very difficult to stop taking them. If this happens, you may have trouble sleeping at night or feel nervous and unable to concentrate. While some anxiety pills do have less severe side effects, others can be dangerous. They are often addictive, which means that you have to continually replace them with newer versions. Be sure to discuss any drug allergies that you may have with your doctor.
For more severe cases of anxiety, you may be prescribed antidepressants or beta blockers. Beta blockers are often used in combination with anxiety medications to treat mild to moderate cases. While beta blockers can cause unpleasant side effects like nausea, drowsiness, and even fatigue, they are usually effective for preventing panic attacks. They are commonly used along with medication for people who suffer from anxiety disorder. Be sure to discuss any drug allergies with your doctor, before taking this medication.
