Treatment for Depression and Anxiety: Is Taking Prescription Medication for Anxiety the Best Option?

Here is the good news about anxiety disorders: Theydoctors will sometimes recommend prescription
are treatable. There are a variety of treatments formedication for anxiety -- most often benzodiazepines
anxiety, including behavioral therapy,like Xanax. These medications should not be taken for
cognitive-behavioral therapy, relaxation techniques andmore than a few months at a time and should not be
medication. But the question more and more patientsrelied upon as a permanent treatment option. They can
are posing to their doctors is: Is prescription medicationbe highly addictive and can also produce disturbing side
the best treatment option? Anxiety is complicated toeffects, which makes many examine them closely
diagnose because it is often found to be a symptombefore agreeing to try them.
of other medical conditions or a side effect of otherIn many cases, anxiety can be treated without any
behaviors. For example, some people react to toomedication at all. In cases where medication is
much caffeine by exhibiting symptoms of anxietyrecommended, there are also natural treatment options
disorders, including, occasionally, panic attacks. Otherfor those who are reluctant to begin a regimen that
conditions that can be accompanied by anxiety areincludes prescription medications. If you decide to
hypoglycemia, hyperthyroid, insomnia, premenstrualpursue this route to anxiety relief, look for remedies
syndrome and, most often, depression.that include ingredients like passion flower, which is also
When a patient who is suffering from depression isused to alleviate hypertension, insomnia and nervous
also suffering from anxiety disorder, doctors can oftentension. Other effective ingredients are lavender, which
see it as a good sign. In general, it means that theis one of the most popular panic attack treatments,
person has not accepted or given in to theirand lemon balm, a natural anxiety treatment that also
depressed condition, and is anxious about it. Toserves as a general tonic for the nervous system.
alleviate the anxiety, doctors can recommend differentWhichever methods you employ, remember that there
types of therapy, each of which can work equally well.are many effective methods of treatment for anxiety
Most doctors recommend cognitive-behavioral therapy,and depression, and that patience and persistence will
which helps the patient first to identify the cause of hiseventually lead you the healthy option that is best for
anxiety, talks him through it, and then slowly andyou.
carefully exposes him to situations which make himWebmaster: You are authorized to reprint this article
feel anxious and teaches him how to cope.providing the author bio/resource box is left completely
In addition to therapy and learned relaxation techniques,in tact - including all hyperlinks.