According to Dr. Jeanne Segal, psychologist and managing editor of HelpGuide.org, there are a plethora of medications that can treat anxiety disorder. From benzodiazepines, which are tranquilizers, to antidepressants, your choices are as varied as your symptoms. Segal adds, though, that these medications only treat the symptoms, not the condition itself. Therefore, it is important to weigh the side effects with the benefits to determine which medication is the best for you.
BuSpar
One of the newer anti-anxiety medications, BuSpar works by increasing the levels of both serotonin and dopamine; these are chemicals in the brain responsible for mood regulation. It is slow-acting, taking about two weeks to take effect. But Segal says it is a good option for older people and those with a previous history of substance abuse due to its low risk of physical dependency. It is most effective for those who are diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder.
The most common side effects associated with BuSpar include constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, headaches, diarrhea and dry mouth.
SSRIs
Otherwise known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, SSRIs fall into the class of antidepressant medications and are the most popular in the class when it comes to treating anxiety. The drugs within this class include Paxil, Prozac, Zoloft, Celexa and Lexapro. They relieve the symptoms of anxiety by increasing the levels of serotonin in your brain, though these drugs take four to six weeks to begin working. For this reason, Segal recommends them for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder.
Although the risk of physical dependency is low, the Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, requires that any antidepressant state the increased risk of suicidal thoughts, hostility and agitation that accompanies these drugs. Additional side effects include headaches, sexual dysfunction, nervousness, weight gain, dizziness and drowsiness.
Benzodiazepines
According to Segal, benzodiazepines are the most popular class of drugs used to treat anxiety. They are fast-acting, generally taking effect within an hour, making them perfect for sufferers of an acute, or sudden, panic attack. The drugs included in this class include Klonopoin, Valium, Ativan and Xanax.
Although effective, these drugs have a number of drawbacks, the first being drug tolerance. The longer you take any of these drugs, the higher the dose you need to achieve the same effect. This leads to drawback No. 2, which is physical dependency. The American Academy of Family Physicians states that these drugs lose their therapeutic effect after four to six months. However, physical dependency can take effect before then.
Other common side effects include drowsiness, clumsiness, confusion, depression, memory loss, nausea and blurred vision. Additionally, long-term use increases your risk of suffering from depression or becoming hostile, agitated and irritable.
