Anxiety is not something which affects only a few people. We all go through some phase of anxiety on a regular basis. What are the medications available, which are commonly prescribed to deal with this common mental disorder and how effective are they?
While there are different types of medications available to deal with anxiety, the specific medication applicable would largely depend on the severity and frequency of the condition. If you suffer from anxiety which is severe, a health professional dealing with mental disorders might prescribe you some medications which will help to bring the situation under control. Anxiety can range in its degree of intensity – from mild to severe. Crisis may be triggered by a variety of situations like a strained or unhappy marriage, trauma in the family, etc. The manifestations of anxiety are also many starting from phobias, post-traumatic disorders to utter panic situations. If you have suffered from any type of anxiety you would know how difficult it is to bring it under control. That is the reason why medications are recommended for managing anxiety.
Zoloft, Paxil, Xanax, and Prozac are some of the frequently-prescribed medications for managing anxiety. These fall under the group of SSRIs – or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Comparatively new in the field of anti-depressant drugs, these medications have minimal side effects. The initial period after starting on these drugs may include an overt feeling of nervousness but this feeling is transient and goes away after a few weeks of medication. Sexual dysfunction is one of the most common side effects of any anti-depressant drugs. If this happens to you, talk to your doctor about it. He may retain the same medication but alter the dosage, which should make the situation better. Another set of common side effects of an anti-depressant are: confusion, drowsiness and feeling sleepy. These medicines should be taken as and when necessary – a maximum of two to three times a day or as directed by the physician. The dosage of these drugs is normally decided depending on the severity of the condition, your body type as well as chemistry.
Tricyclics, also referred to as MAOI’s, or monoamine oxidase inhibitors are another type of medication prescribed to control anxiety. The amount of side effects is more in tricyclics than SSRIs, which include weight gain, dizziness and drowsiness. Tricyclics belong to an older generation of drugs and are thus backed by a whole lot of research. It has been found that when taken in combination with certain types of food like cheese and wine, tricyclics can cause an increased amount of side effects and dangerous reactions may be triggered as a result. These side effects range from rise in blood pressure to other more serious consequences. Valium, Ativan and Xanax are other types of anti-anxiety drugs which are recommended to be taken as and when necessary.
Independent of the severity of the condition, SSRIs and MAOIs are trusted therapy options for relief from anxiety. While on such types of medication, it is extremely dangerous to consume alcohol. The other aspect of taking such drug therapy is that you should never become dependent on these drugs for getting relief. This aspect is usually very closely monitored by doctors who oversee that you are in no way abusing the therapy or taking it in excess to build up your levels of tolerance.
