Article Title: Anti-anxiety drugs

Author Name: Anxiety help Staff

About Author: We hope you find some answers in our anxiety help website.

Article Text:

Anti-anxiety drugs are a way of keeping panic attacks under control by reducing the symptoms, yet, they do not represent a cure for the problem as such. This means that you'll feel better but you won't be cured and safe from other episodes in the future. Doctors do recommend drugs but only for short-term administration and as a support for some form of therapy aims at eliminating the real causes of anxiety. There are serious health concerns related to anti-anxiety drugs because of the many side effects and the risk of developing a physical addiction. Therapy and lifestyle changes should be the more valuable alternatives to medication when it comes to treating anxiety.

Anxiety disorders have been traditionally treated with bezodiazepines. Other newer medication in this category include beta-blockers and antidepressants. Despite the scientific progress, these more modern medicines still can't solve the real cause of anxiety, and once the treatment is over, the symptoms can get back in full force. Experts all over the world share a common opinion that anti-anxiety drugs are just a temporary solution, and they are part of a more complex course of treatment. Therefore, the correct information of patients about the health-related options available is highly important in the first stage of the treatment.

Another name for anti-anxiety drugs is tranquilizers because of the impact they have at the level of the central nervous system. They soothe the nerves, relax the muscles, improve the concentration level on daily activities and increase sleep quality. The reaction to the medication is very fast: results will be obvious in no more than an hour, plus, the efficiency during a panic attack is unparalleled. However, there is a big downside to such anti-anxiety drugs: adverse reactions. First and foremost, physical addiction is the main problem. Even if you want to stop the treatment, you'll find it very difficult because of the craving for the substances.

Then, sleepiness or poor coordination represent other side affects associated with the use of anti-anxiety drugs, benzodiazepines in particular. This means that you won't be able to drive or carry on with some regular activities: some drugs even cause a hangover feeling. The slow metabolism of anti-anxiety drugs leads to an accumulation of the substances in the system and hence to over-sedation. The feeling is like being drunk; therefore, caution and short term administration following the doctor's orders make the best advice one can get.