Experiencing severe anxiety to the point where you have difficulty at work, school or in social situations can be debilitating and embarrassing. You can choose from different treatment options, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and anti-anxiety medications, to deal with this issue. Use anti-anxiety medications with talk therapy for the best results. If you don't include therapy as part of your treatment for anxiety, the symptoms are likely to return when you stop taking medication.
Benzodiazepines
Doctors use benzodiazepines to treat anxiety disorders over a short period of time. Some patients find these medicines to be habit-forming and addictive, so many doctors prescribe them only for acute anxiety. They work faster than antidepressants, because they don't have to build up in your system to take effect. When someone is suffering from severe anxiety symptoms, benzodiazepines may be the best the option. Some common benzodiazepines include alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium) , clonazepam (Klonopin) and lorazepam (Ativan). According to the National Institute of Mental Health, benzodiazepines can cause side effects, including drowsiness, dizziness, upset stomach and headaches.
Antidepressants
First conceived for patients with depression, antidepressants have proved to work for people struggling with anxiety as well. They take longer to take effect than benzodiazepines, but most are less likely to be habit-forming and addictive. If your anxiety symptoms are less severe, trying antidepressants first is recommended. Doctors prescribe antidepressants depending on the type of anxiety you suffer from. For example, someone suffering from generalized anxiety disorder may be prescribed venlafaxine (Effexor), and someone suffering from panic disorder may be prescribed paroxetine (Paxil). Antidepressants work by changing chemicals in your brain that cause anxiety. Some common side effects include headaches, nausea, drowsiness, agitation and sexual problems.
Buspirone
According to the Mayo Clinic, buspirone (BuSpar) takes two to three weeks to become entirely effective. It's used to treat symptoms of anxiety, such as fear and tension, and physical symptoms, including a pounding heartbeat and trembling. You should not take BuSpar if you've used an MAO inhibitor, because the combination of these drugs can be life-threatening. Drugs.com reports that this medication does not seem to negatively impact an unborn child; however, you should let your doctor know if you are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant while taking this medication. Some known side effects include lightheadedness, headaches, nausea and sleep problems.
Beta-blockers
If you want help controlling the physical symptoms of anxiety, talk to your doctor about beta-blockers, which are generally used to treat heart conditions and blood pressure. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, these drugs can help with symptoms such as trembling and sweating. If you have an important speech to give at work, your doctor could prescribe the medication to use for that short time period. As with other medications, there can be side effects, such as cold hands, fatigue, dizziness and weakness.
