Anxiety Medications - An Overview Of What's Available
Most of us have experienced anxiety of some sort in our lives, but fortunately the majority of people are able to deal with it and then put it behind them. There are people who can't do this, however, because they are dealing with some kind of anxiety disorder. These anxieties can have serious effects on their lives if left untreated.
There are a number of different methods used to treat anxiety and panic but one of the more familiar methods is anxiety medications. As with any medication, you should always consult your doctor to get their diagnosis and treatment plan, but it doesn't hurt to have some information before going to see the doctor.
The following are some of the medications available to help people coping with anxiety...
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI's) work to raise the chemical serotonin in a person's brain. They are generally started at a low dosage level then increased gradually until a therapeutic level is reached. This type of medication has relatively mild side-effects, such as nausea and jitteriness and is therefore a popular option.
Tricyclics are another option, which are also started at a lower dosage then gradually increased. This type of medication has traditionally been the most common for dealing with anxiety problems. The side effects of these are also relatively mild, including dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth and weight gain.
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAO's) are the type of antidepressant drug that has been around the longest. People taking this type of medication must be careful as a specific diet must be followed at the same time.
Food and drinks that contain a substance called tyramine are to be avoided. These include red wine and cheese. If these interact with the medication, dangerous blood pressure increases or other serious side-effects can occur.
Benzodiazepines are another type of medication used to fight anxiety. They are able to relieve the symptoms of panic and anxiety quickly, however there are several side effects associated with them, one of the worst being their addictiveness. Because addiction can occur, this is generally a short-term anxiety medication.
There are a variety of types of medication for anxiety available to help treat disorders, and your doctor will be able to give you the best treatment plan, based on your particular situation and needs.
