Anxiety Medication

Every person deals with anxiety differently. With that given, anxiety treatment must be tailored for the individual's needs. If you are suffering from an anxiety disorder, you need to consult a doctor and ask him if he can prescribe a specific drug regimen.

Most anxiety disorders often respond to medication. Remember that anti-anxiety medications do not cure anxiety disorders. They are used to ease symptoms so that other forms of therapy can go forward. They usually work best in combination with psychotherapy, especially cognitive-behavioral therapy.

Here are some of the medications used to treat anxiety disorders:

• antidepressants --- affect the concentration and serotonin activity

• anxiolytics --- enhance serotonin activity, blockade histamine receptors

• anticonvulsants --- enhance or inhibit effects of anxiety neurotransmitters, blockade sodium channels

• noradrenergic agents --- block receptors associated with anxiety

• atypical antipsychotics --- affect the concentration and serotonin activity

Remember that you need a prescription for most anti-anxiety medications. These drugs have direct effects on the brain. Do not take any of these medicines if you are not sure of your condition.

While these medications can be very effective in treating symptoms of many anxiety disorders, they also have some notable limitations.

• Again, medications cannot cure your anxiety disorder. They can only treat its symptoms.

• Medications might not treat all of the symptoms of your disorder. In order to completely get rid of all your symptoms, you need to make some changes in your life and lifestyle. Undergo a psychotherapy treatment and live a healthy life.

• Medication work only if taken in the appropriate manner. Follow the explicit instructions that your physician gave you.

If you have any questions regarding your medications, don't hesitate to ask your physician about it. After all, it's you who will take them.

You may or may not experience any side effects of anti-anxiety medications. Here are some of the most common side effects:

• nausea

• headaches

• dizziness

• stomach upset

• sexual side effects

While side effects are generally short-lived, some may be so persistent that may cause you to adjust dosage or change your medication completely. Although they rarely happen, there have been rare cases that commonly-prescribed medications require blood monitoring.