What is the most important information I should know about anxiety medications?
Anxiety medication can provide relief for people who are experiencing symptoms of anxiety or anxiety disorders.
Some anxiety medications can be taken as needed when a person is feeling anxious.
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In other cases, medications need to be taken regularly to get to provide more lasting relief.
Anxiety disordersare more than just a case of nerves.
Fortunately, there are a number of anxiety medications available to treat anxiety disorder symptoms.
Learn what these medicines are, how they work, their benefits, and their potential risks.
It can take up to six weeks for anxiety medications to start working.
They can be particularly helpful when used along withpsychotherapy.
The amount of time you are on the drug can vary as well.
Overall, using medications for anxiety disorders is considered safe and effective.
Due to these effects, SSRIs are also often used to treatdepressionand othermood disorders.
So, give your body time to adjust.
Like serotonin, norepinephrine is a neurotransmitter in the brain that plays a role in mood regulation.
And they’ve been found effective for treating various anxiety disorders.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepinesare a class of sedative drugs.
Benzodiazepines can be taken as needed to help you relax and reduce muscle tension when facing a stressful situation.
Anxiety Medication Risks
Anxiety medications have some important risks you should be aware of.
These risks can differ a bit between the drug classes.
Suicidal Thoughts
Suicidal thoughtsare a risk with antidepressants, particularly for younger patients.
This includes experiencing increased depression, agitation, irritability, suicidality, and unusual changes in behavior.
If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor.
If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
Dependence means that you develop withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking the medication.
This risk is greater with benzodiazepines, especially alprazolam (which is commonly known by its brand nameXanax).
Anxiety Medication Withdrawal
Many people who take medication over a long period of time can become dependent.
When they go off the drug, they need to do so gradually to avoid experiencingwithdrawal symptoms.
Talk with your healthcare provider before discontinuing any medication.
To avoid withdrawal symptoms, they may taper your medication dose, reducing it gradually.
Anxiety Medication Interactions
Some anti-anxiety medications negatively interact with other drugs.
Tell your healthcare provider if you are taking any other medications.
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