Anxiety Medication - Common Treatments For Anxiety

December 12, 2009 by admin  
Filed under Mental Health




Its well understood that a million or more people across the globe are victims to Anxiety Disorders, this disorder causes fear, distress and, at worst depression, despite being relatively treatable. Among the many probable ways that people find useful in managing and treating this condition is by the use of Anxiety medications.

These Anxiety medications are very vital and useful in treating the trite and most distressing of symptoms of anxiety disorders. One of their plus factor is in reducing the effects of panic attacks and assisting people to achieve a greater degree of control over the illiness. This in turn makes handling of issues that crop up during bouts of anxiety disorder quite easy to deal with. Anxiety medication for treatment of anxiety related disorders are therefore only available under physicians prescription and non the less.

Two Category of Anxiety Medication Widely used

Physicians who prescribe anxiety medications usually have a list of generic and brand names of these drugs, to facilitate quick dispensing. The purpose of using this drugs is chiefly to contain the symptoms of anxiety disorder while other therapy forms help the patient cope with the symptoms. An example is Psychotherapy, which is more often advised for anxiety disorders, other types of therapy include relaxation techniques and many more other forms. The general idea behind this, is to provide a patient of anxiety disorder with some level of relief and calm momentarily, while offering remedies that ensure long-termed ability to cope.

Two Major class of anxiety medications include:

Anxiolytics or anti-anxiety drugs. These ones work by reducing the pressures caused by anxiety itself. They are quite effective and fast acting, popular among these are brand names like Xanax and Valium, their biggest setback though, is that they are habit forming especially when used over long periods of time. They may also have negative impact on a persons ability to stay awake over extended periods, hence result to inability to carry out necessary functions. They are therefore prescribed only for short-term use.

Another one is Antidepressants, popular among these class of anxiety medication are brand names like Paxil, Lexapro and Prozac which are widely used in the treatment of the symptoms of anxiety disorders. They are often-times prescribed together with anti-anxiety medications. These anti-depressants are commonly used for extended periods of time and are not as fast acting as anxiolytics in releasing their effect. Additional to combating anxiety related symptoms, similar medications can also help with depression. Though, this is unfortunately, a common known negative effect of anxiety disorder.

Its never easy nor comfortable to leave a life laden with anxiety disorders. Where panic attack induced fears looms large and symptoms ride high in full gear. Due to the high habit-forming potential and other long-term side effects of these drugs, they may not be the only recommended form of treatment. Their use in conjunction with other coping mechanism can greatly help people have control of their lives once more.



Common Types of Anxiety Disorders

May 29, 2009 by admin  
Filed under Health




Anxiety disorders can affect your daily life activities and may worsen if immediate treatment is not given.

Is there anything that makes you worry lately? It is completely normal to worry about things in life like your hectic schedules, rocky relationships, job interviews, and the many things our complicated life brings us. But, if the worries become too much that you may feel so choked up and that you are not in control of your life anymore, they might be symptoms of anxiety disorders.

Anxiety disorders are affecting people age 18 years and above, causing them to be filled with fear and uncertainty. It is defined as excessive anxiety and worry, happening more days than not for at least 6 months and can get worse if they are not treated. The person with anxiety disorder finds it difficult to control his/her anxiety. Anxiety disorders usually occur along with other mental or physical illnesses, including drug or alcohol abuse, to mask the symptoms or worsen them. Each anxiety disorder has different symptoms, but all the symptoms cluster around excessive, unreasonable fear and dread.

Some of the common types of anxiety disorders are separation anxiety, social anxiety or phobia, selective mutism, panic disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PST), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), agoraphobia, generalized anxiety disorder, and specific phobia.

Separation Anxiety is an excessive anxiety relating to separation from home or someone you are so attached with. The symptoms mostly relate to the recurrent fear of being separated from someone or something you are so attached with and accompanied by physical symptoms like nausea, stomachaches, headaches, or chest pain.

Social Anxiety disorder, also called social phobia, is diagnosed when you become overwhelmingly anxious and extremely fearful of social interactions. People with this illness have intense, persistent, and constant fear of being watched and judged, and other things that can put them in an embarrassing position. They can worry for days before the actual situation takes place and this feeling may worsen.. interfering with work, school, and other activities.

Selective mutism is the consistent failure to speak in a specific social situation where speech is anticipated inspite of be able to speak in other situations. According to research, there is a relation between social phobia and selective mutism.

OCD is an anxiety disorder where a person has recurrent and unwanted ideas or impulses (called obsessions), and an urge or compulsion to do something to relieve their discomfort caused by obsession. A person with OCD has senseless, repetitive, distressing, and sometimes harmful habits that are also difficult to overcome.

PTSD is a debilitating condition that follows a terrifying event. Usually, people with posttraumatic stress disorder have persistent frightening thoughts and memories of their ordeal and feel emotionally numb even with people they used to be so closed with. The signs and symptoms usually appear within 3 months of the tragic event.

Panic disorder has brief episodes of intense fear and is accompanied by various physical symptoms like heart palpitations, nausea, chest pain, etc., that occur repeatedly and not knowingly in the absence of external threat.

Agoraphobia is an incapacitating fear for open spaces. It is a disorder characterized by avoidance of crowds and open and public spaces. Agoraphobia can lead to extreme anxiety and evasion, resulting a sufferer to become housebound.

General anxiety disorder is characterized by diffused feelings of apprehensions with physiological symptoms. It is one of the most common anxiety disorders and is described as excessive anxiety and worry about two or more life circumstances for a period of six months.

Specific phobia is an intense fear for specific things or situations like, heights, water, closed-in places, spiders, and many others.

These anxiety disorders are curable. The sooner you are diagnosed, the sooner you’ll get better. So, if you think you have symptoms of anxiety disorders, don’t hesitate to see a doctor. Don’t let anxiety disorders ruin your life.