In today's society, we often turn to medication as a treatment for just about everything.
Kids acting up in school? Drugs! Got a pain in your hip? Drugs! Drugs are often prescribed to help treat anxiety issues and while they can help the outbreak of anxiety attacks, they cannot and will not treat the root cause of your issues.
It is important that you understand the risks and the warning signs that come with the medication you choose to take.
This guide can help you along the way.
What is anxiety medication? Anxiety medication can be broken up into two main categories: old school and new school.
The old treatments often consisted of benzodiazepines and the new treatments are often anti-depressants or even beta blocking drugs.
All three classifications of drugs can help reduce the paralyzing symptoms of panic attacks, but they can't cure anxiety.
Your doctor should explain the risks involved with these drugs, such as dependence.
Don't be surprised if you get moved around a bit when you start taking these drugs.
What may work for someone else having the same symptoms as you may not work for you.
What drugs are available? The word that is most often used in conjunction with anti-anxiety medication is tranquilizers.
Many folks have a raw, visceral reaction to that word and associate the use of tranquilizers with veterinarians or serious mental issues.
The truth is that tranquilizers tell your central nervous system to slow down and take it easy.
They are used all over the world, and in most cases, they are safe when used under a doctor's supervision.
Benzodiazepines are the most common drugs prescribed for anxiety and they include Xanax, Klonopin, Valium and Ativan.
It is extremely important that you follow your doctor's advice to the letter when taking these drugs.
Safety concerns Like any other drug on the market, there are unique safety concerns associated with anti-anxiety medication.
Many of the top anti-anxiety drugs work by slowing brain function.
If you take one of these drugs right before bed, you are fine, but if you take one in the middle of the day to relieve an attack, than problems can arise.
You may suffer from drowsiness, slurred speech, dizziness, nausea and a whole host of other issues.
If you take one of these drugs in the middle of the day, don't do it alone and don't climb behind the wheel of a car.
Dependence issues Perhaps the issue that scares people off from these drugs more than any other is dependence.
No one wants to become addicted to any drug, especially one that can render you so helpless.
Your doctor should be very clear that your prescription and usage of these drugs is for a brief, clearly defined period of time.
If you've been on these drugs for months, go to a different doctor than the one that prescribed you the drugs and get a second opinion.
Anti-anxiety drugs are not a long term answer.
Other options In recent years, drugs that have only been prescribed to help treat depression are now being used to treat anxiety.
The same warnings that come with anti-depression medication now must be used for anxiety.
There have been instances where people have suffered such severe mood swings taking anti-depressant medication that they have either killed themselves or committed acts of violence against others.
Be sure you have a clear understanding of the risks involved in taking anti-depressant medication and be sure you have a friend or a relative who can check in on you and make sure you're okay.
Otherwise, you could be in a lot worse shape than you were before.