According to Dr. Jeanne Segal, psychologist and managing editor of HelpGuide.org, a variety of medications exist to treat the symptoms of anxiety disorder. It is important to remember that these medications only treat the symptoms and not the cause. Dr. Segal points out that each of these treatments is accompanied by as many side effects as benefits. Before beginning any specific one, it is important to educate yourself and weigh the pros and cons of each.
Benzodiazepines
The most commonly prescribed of all medications for the treatment of anxiety, benzodiazepines, also known as tranquilizers, help reduce the symptoms of anxiety by slowing down your central nervous system. According to Dr. Segal, they relax and calm you, providing relief from panic attacks within an hour. The drugs included in this class are Xanax, Ativan, Klonopin and Valium.
The most common side effects associated with these drugs include drowsiness, slurred speech, confusion, memory loss, nausea, clumsiness and dizziness. Because these medications slow down brain activity, the side effects can disrupt everyday activities, including work or school or your ability to drive or operate heavy machinery. In addition, they are burned by the body slowly, which means that when taken for long periods of time, the medication builds up in your system, resulting in oversedation. It should also be noted that these medications are meant for short-term use; this is because they can quickly lead to physical dependence. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, benzodiazepines lose their therapeutic effect after four to six months of regular use.
Buspirone
Buspirone, also known as BuSpar, is a newer type of anxiety medication which is a mild tranquilizer with fewer side effects. It takes longer to work than benzodiazepines do--two weeks versus one hour--but it is not as sedating, which results in better coordination and memory. It helps relieve the symptoms of anxiety by increasing the levels of serotonin and dopamine, chemicals in the brain which help control your mood. Because the risk of physical dependence is low, this is a good option for previous substance abusers and older people. The drawback is that it does not work well for treating acute (sudden) panic attacks; it is effective for treating general anxiety disorder.
The most common side effects of BuSpar include nausea, drowsiness, constipation, diarrhea, dry mouth, dizziness and headaches.
Antidepressants
According to Dr. Segal, the most commonly prescribed antidepressant for the treatment of anxiety are SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). This group includes medications such as Prozac, Celexa, Zoloft and Paxil. Although these medications typically take four to six weeks before they begin to work, Dr. Segal states they are sometimes preferred over benzodiazepines because there is a reduced risk for dependency. However because they take longer to work, they are not effective when a panic attack occurs. They are effective in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder, general anxiety disorder and panic disorder.
The most common side effects include nausea, sleepiness, nervousness, weight gain, sexual dysfunction, dizziness and upset stomach.
