Tips for Living with an Anxiety Disorder
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| Sat, 09-02-2006 - 12:51pm |
Tips for Taking Anxiety Meds
If you're taking medication for an anxiety disorder, here are a few facts to keep in mind.
Medicines called benzodiazepines relieve symptoms quickly and have few side effects, although drowsiness can be a problem. Because people can develop a tolerance to them — and would have to continue increasing the dosage to get the same effect — benzodiazepines are generally prescribed for short periods of time. One exception is panic disorder, for which they may be used for six months to a year. People who have had problems with drug or alcohol abuse are not usually good candidates for these medications because they may become dependent on them.
Some people experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking benzodiazepines, although reducing the dosage can diminish those symptoms. In certain instances, the symptoms of anxiety can rebound after these medications are stopped. Potential problems with benzodiazepines have led some physicians to shy away from using them, or to prescribe them in smaller doses.
Benzodiazepines include clonazepam, which is used for social phobia and general anxiety disorder (GAD); alprazolam, which is helpful for panic disorder and GAD; and lorazepam, which is also useful for panic disorder.
Buspirone, a member of a class of drugs called azipirones, is a newer anti-anxiety medication that is used to treat GAD. Possible side effects include dizziness, headaches, and nausea. Unlike the benzodiazepines, buspirone must be taken consistently for at least two weeks to achieve an anti-anxiety effect.
Last updated: July 2006
People with panic disorder have feelings of terror that strike suddenly and repeatedly. They can't predict attacks, and many develop intense anxiety between episodes, worrying when and where the next one will strike.
If you are having a panic attack, your heart will pound and you may feel sweaty, weak, or dizzy. Your hands may tingle or feel numb and you might feel flushed or chilled. You may also have nausea, chest pain, smothering sensations, or fear of impending doom.
A tendency to develop panic disorder appears to be inherited, and it's important for people who have the disorder to seek treatment quickly.
Panic disorder is one of the most treatable of the anxiety disorders, responding in most cases to medication and psychotherapy.
-- Anne Thompson
Last updated: July 2006
The symptoms of PTSD fall into three broad types: re-living, avoidance, and increased arousal.
- Symptoms of re-living include flashbacks, nightmares, and extreme emotional and physical reactions to reminders of the event. Emotional reactions can include feeling guilty, extreme fear of harm, and numbing of emotions. Physical reactions can include uncontrollable shaking, chills or heart palpitations, and tension headaches.
- Symptoms of avoidance include staying away from activities, places, thoughts, or feelings related to the trauma or feeling detached or estranged from others.
- Symptoms of increased arousal include being overly alert or easily startled, irritable or quick to anger, along with having difficulty sleeping or concentrating.
In addition to seeking professional treatment to help you deal with PTSD, there are things you can do to cope with it on daily basis:
- Try to maintain your usual routine.
- Take the time to resolve day-to-day conflicts so they do not add to your stress.
- Try not to shy away from situations, people, or places that remind you of the traumatic event.
- Find ways to relax and be kind to yourself.
- Turn to family, friends, and clergy person for support, and talk about your experiences and feelings with them.
- Participate in leisure and recreational activities.
Last updated: July 2006
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All material provided on this web site is provided for informational or educational purposes only. Consult a physician regarding the applicability of any opinions or recommendations with respect to your symptoms or medical condition.

