Generalized anxiety disorder describes people who experience constant worry over big and small problems. Their ongoing anxiety over family, health, financial or job issues may disrupt their lives. Along with counseling, medication helps reduce symptoms to bring anxious feelings under control. Patients usually improve with antidepressants and anti-anxiety medication. The medications alter brain chemistry to improve moods. Consequences from the medicine include side effects, which can be dealt with when recognized.
Considerations
The medications may take weeks for a desired effect to be achieved. It is important to allow the drugs to work so the effects can be known, the National Institute of Mental Health says. Some drugs work faster than others. Other drugs have more or fewer side effects. Patients may have to undergo changes in dosage or in medication to obtain the beneficial results and have as few side effects as possible. The best medicine depends on each individual and the severity of the problem.
Addiction
Benzodiazepines help improve generalized anxiety disorder with few side effects, such as drowsiness. The drugs help relax patients and reduce muscular tension. However, the anti-anxiety medication may be habit-forming and higher doses are necessary to get the same positive effect. The medication is usually prescribed for use over a short period of time, especially for people who may become dependent on the drug easily. Some people experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking the drug suddenly and anxiety may return. Doctors usually taper off its usage.
Alternatives
Buspirone, a newer anti-anxiety medication, takes about two or more weeks to fully act on patients but works for generalized anxiety disorder. Side effects may include lightheadedness, headaches and nausea. Tricyclic antidepressants became appealing to doctors as an alternative to benzodiazepines because of concerns over dependency. The antidepressants are prescribed for generalized anxiety disorder. Side effects may include a drop in blood pressure when standing, blurry vision, dry mouth, constipation and urinary retention, according to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America.
Balance
Antidepressants used for depression have been found to significantly improve generalized anxiety. Patients with generalized anxiety usually benefit from antidepressants called serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, or SNRIs. The medication balances levels of serotonin and norepinephrine, which are involved with emotions and adrenaline, respectively. The process helps improve moods. Nervousness or nausea may occur when patients first start taking the medication. Other side effects may include upset stomach, insomnia, headache and sexual dysfunction, the ADAA says.
Benefits
Because of side effects and the importance of patients taking the proper medication, people with generalized anxiety work closely with doctors or therapists to make sure their medication and dosage remains effective. Despite side effects, medication for anxiety is usually safe and effective, according to the ADAA. In many cases, readjusting the dosage of medication or changing medication may relieve side effects, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.
