If you suffer from anxiety, finding the right treatment can seem like a daunting task. Medication is one treatment option to combat anxiety, although you may be confused in choosing the right one. Learn to choose the drug you need in order to follow the most appropriate treatment.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Seeking Medical Assistance
Step 1. See your doctor
First of all, to get an anxiety medication, you need to go to your primary care physician. So, go to her office so you can undergo a physical exam. It will determine if the anxiety is due to some health problem.
- You should give the doctor an honest description of your symptoms. Tell him about your worries and your general state of mind in recent times.
- Once you are diagnosed, you can begin discussing the medications and other treatment options available to you.
Step 2. Get advice from a mental health professional
After your doctor sees you, ask if they can refer you to a psychiatrist or other mental health professional. This request is appropriate if you have an anxiety disorder that should be treated with specific treatments, such as psychotherapy, as well as drugs.
- They may recommend a psychiatrist, clinical psychologist, occupational therapy specialist, or social worker for you.
- The professional you will contact will address various issues with you, such as your life, your support network and previous care. You should honestly answer questions regarding these aspects. He will be able to tell you if you have an anxiety disorder and, if so, base his treatment on this diagnosis.
Step 3. Discuss the medication to be taken with your doctor
You should tell your doctor about any medications you decide to take. Ask him for more information about it and have him explain everything in detail.
- Find out how long the drug will take to produce the desired effects.
- Ask him to detail the side effects, but also the benefits it will offer you so that you can compare the side effects with the benefits you will receive.
- Find out exactly how to hire them. Ask what time you need to take it, how often and if you need to ingest it on a full stomach.
Part 2 of 3: Choosing an Anxiety Medication
Step 1. Get an anxiolytic
Anxiolytics are best known as benzodiazepines. Drugs in this class are considered tranquilizers because they help calm the brain and body. They act quickly and can be caught during an anxiety attack.
- The most common anxiolytics include Xanax, Rivotril, Valium, and Tavor.
- They can be addictive if taken for more than four months.
- This type of drug can negatively interact with alcohol, pain relievers and sleeping pills.
- The risks associated with taking anxiolytics are greater in people over the age of 65, pregnant women and drug users.
- Suddenly stopping anxiolytics can cause a withdrawal crisis, characterized by increased anxiety, insomnia, agitation, rapid heartbeat, sweating, and disorientation.
Step 2. Take an antidepressant
To treat anxiety, the most common antidepressants are used. They carry a lower risk of addiction and abuse. If you take an antidepressant, you may start to feel the effects after more than a month.
- The ones most commonly used to combat anxiety include Prozac, Zoloft, Daparox, Cipralex, and Elopram.
- Suddenly stopping antidepressants can cause severe depression, fatigue, irritability, anxiety, insomnia, and flu-like symptoms.
Step 3. Try the buspirone
It is a mild tranquilizer, recently produced and used to combat anxiety. It works slower than other anxiolytics. The effects can take about two weeks to begin to manifest.
- Buspirone does not have the same side effects as other anxiolytics. It does not cause addiction as easily, involves only minor withdrawal symptoms, and does not severely impair cognitive function.
- Buspirone has been shown to be more effective against generalized anxiety disorder.
- It can be a great option for drug users over the age of 65.
Step 4. Use beta blockers or antihistamines for performance anxiety
Beta-blockers and antihistamines are sometimes used to relieve anxiety. They are mostly used when the body puts norepinephrine into circulation or a "fight or flight" reaction occurs. These drugs help relieve the physical symptoms associated with anxiety, but they do not act on the emotional symptoms.
- They can relieve tremors, lightheadedness, and heart pounding.
- They are useful in case of phobias or performance anxiety.
Step 5. Identify the side effects of the different drugs
Any active ingredient used to treat anxiety produces side effects that can be mild or severe. Before buying a drug, weigh the side effects against the benefits in order to make the right choice.
- Anxiolytics can cause drowsiness, slow reflexes, slurred speech, disorientation, depression, lightheadedness, decreased alertness, memory loss, stomach pain, and blurred vision. In some people there is a risk that no calming effect is produced, but that mania, anger, aggression, impulsive behavior or hallucinations occur.
- Antidepressants can cause nausea, weight gain, sleepiness, headache, nervousness, decreased libido, stomach pain and dizziness.
- Buspirone can cause stomach and intestinal problems, such as nausea, constipation or diarrhea, but also headaches, drowsiness, dry mouth and lightheadedness.
- Beta blockers can slow the heart rate and cause nausea, dizziness and sleepiness.
Step 6. Choose the right drug for your needs
Each anxiety drug has characteristics that can affect your choice. You should ask yourself if you need immediate relief from a phobia / anxiety / panic attack or if you need something to take long-term. In addition, you should make sure if you are in a risk category for taking a certain active ingredient because you take other medicines, you have a lifestyle that interferes with the use of medicines or you have substance addiction problems.
- If you need immediate help with anxiety or panic, anxiolytics, such as Xanax, Rivotril, Valium, and Tavor, can be effective.
- If you want a drug that requires prolonged use, try an antidepressant.
- Beta blockers and antihistamines can be a great choice if you have a particular phobia.
- If you are a drug user, antidepressants or buspirone are more suitable, even if you are over 65.
Part 3 of 3: Deciding if Anxiety Drugs Are the Right Choice
Step 1. Find out if non-drug treatment is better
Medicines can help manage symptoms during a difficult time. However, before taking them, you should orient yourself towards other treatment options. Many doctors and mental health professionals believe that non-drug treatments are more effective than drug treatments.
- Non-drug treatment options include psychotherapy, behavioral therapy, relaxation and breathing techniques, cognitive therapy, diet and exercise, and the development of assertiveness and self-esteem.
- These treatments can help you address the underlying problems that cause anxiety and relieve emotional and psychological symptoms. In addition, they teach you to acquire the skills necessary to manage anxiety in daily life.
Step 2. Keep in mind that the drug is not a cure
Medicines can help relieve anxiety symptoms. However, no drug cures it entirely. To cure and heal it, a combined action of various approaches is required. Medications should provide you with immediate help while you are busy working through your problems. In some people they can be used to manage certain chronic disorders over time.
Before taking medication, consult your doctor about what other treatments you have available to manage and treat your anxiety disorder in the long run
Step 3. Be patient
It may take some time to find the right combination of treatment and medication. The first active ingredient you use may not necessarily be the one that best suits your needs, so your doctor may prescribe other medicines before finding the right one. Just remember to be patient in finding the best therapy.
- Your doctor is likely to suggest some alternatives to medication. Consider looking for other forms of treatment instead of or alongside the drug.
- Follow your doctor's directions and tell your doctor about any changes, symptoms, or side effects that occur.
