| Everyone suffers a bit of anxiety on | | | | Benzodiazepines are among the most commonly |
| occasion. But does that mean you need | | | | prescribed depressant medications in the |
| anti-anxiety medication? Not necessarily. | | | | United States today. More than 15 different |
| | | | types of benzodiazepine medications exist to |
| Your palms begin to sweat and your stomach | | | | treat a wide array of both psychological and |
| begins to flutter but you're fine. You're | | | | physical disorders. Some of the most commonly |
| experiencing simple cases of nervousness and | | | | used types are Valium, Ativan, and Librium. |
| your body is responding in ways that are | | | | Each are normally ingested in a pill or |
| manageable. But, anxiety can explode into a | | | | capsule form but can be administered |
| serious problem. | | | | intravenously if needed. |
| | | | |
| Anxiety disorders, in addition to generalized | | | | Anti-anxiety medications are prescribed for |
| anxiety, include phobias, panic disorder, | | | | relaxation, calmness, and relief from anxiety |
| obsessive-compulsive disorder, and | | | | and tension. In some cases side effects will |
| post-traumatic stress disorder. For millions | | | | occur. These side effects vary widely |
| of sufferers anxiety disorders are | | | | depending on the type of medication, the |
| disruptive, debilitating and often the reason | | | | dose, and the person. Some of the short-term |
| for loss of job and serious problems in | | | | side effects to be aware of are drowsiness, |
| family relationships. So what can be done to | | | | impaired thinking, altered vision, |
| control anxiety disorders? | | | | depression, stuttering, confusion, nausea, |
| | | | dry mouth, and loss of appetite. |
| Many anxiety disorders can be controlled with | | | | |
| therapy, support groups and other | | | | Long-term side effects can also occur in |
| non-medication treatments. But when the | | | | patients who are taking high doses of |
| problem is severe or when coupled with | | | | benzodiazepines. These effects can consist of |
| certain diagnoses, medicine may be required. | | | | slurred speech, loss of concentration, lack |
| Prescription medications can control the | | | | of coordination, and disorientation. Patients |
| unrelenting and uncontrollable tension and | | | | experiencing any long-term side effects |
| fear that rule the lives of anxiety disorder | | | | should speak with their physician |
| patients. | | | | immediately. |
| | | | |
| Anti-anxiety medication can relieve the fear. | | | | Symptoms of anxiety can present themselves on |
| It can help stop physical symptoms such as | | | | a daily basis. So be aware of when you begin |
| pounding heart and shortness of breath, and | | | | to worry and know what information to report |
| give patients a greater sense of control. | | | | to your physician so he/she can best help |
| Benzodiazepines are often prescribed by | | | | you. Because before being prescribed an |
| psychiatrists and physicians. They're a group | | | | anti-anxiety medication there are questions |
| of tranquilizers that can reduce debilitating | | | | that need answering. |
| symptoms and enable a person to concentrate | | | | |
| on coping with his or her illness. | | | | Are these symptoms caused by a medical |
| | | | problem? If not, then consider what your life |
| And now when patients are equipped with a | | | | circumstances are. Are you under a lot of |
| greater sense of control, they can learn how | | | | stress at work or at home? Do you feel as if |
| to reduce the stress that triggers anxiety. | | | | you're racing to beat the clock? Has worry |
| And they can develop new behaviors that will | | | | become your number one emotion? Ask these |
| lessen the effects of their anxiety disorder. | | | | questions and know the answers before |
| All thanks to the right anti-anxiety | | | | visiting your doctor. The better informed he |
| medication. | | | | is the easier it will be for him to prescribe |
| | | | an anti-anxiety medication. |