According to the Severe Anxiety website, severe anxiety is a mental illness that cannot be broken like a bad habit. Its symptoms, which include fear, panic, rapid heartbeats and depression, cannot be turned on and off like a light switch. They can, however, be managed with medication. A variety of drugs exist, all of which are categorized into classes according to how they work.
Benzodiazepines
The most commonly prescribed drugs for severe anxiety, benzodiazepines work by slowing down the central nervous system, thus helping the sufferer relax. According to Help Guide, they are also known as tranquilizers and are popular due to their calming effects.
The drugs in this class tend to take effect quickly--often between 30 minutes to an hour. This makes them effective for treating those who suffer from panic attacks. Drugs in this class include but are not limited to alprazolam (Xanax), lorazepam (Ativan), clonazepam (Klonopin) and diazepam (Valium). The most common side effects associated with benzodiazepines include drowsiness, slurred speech, dizziness, memory loss, blurred vision, clumsiness, confusion, impaired thinking, nausea, slowed reflexes and upset stomach. These side effects may vary according to medication.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are a class of medications originally prescribed to treat depression. However, they may have a lower risk of dependency than the classic anti-anxiety medications, such as benzodiazepines, while offering the same efficacy. The downside is that they take between four to six weeks to take full effect, which means they aren't the drug of choice for panic attacks.
According to Help Guide., SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed antidepressant in the treatment of anxiety, and are used for obsessive-compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and social phobias. Drugs in this class include fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), fluvoxamine (Luvox) and paroxetine (Paxil). The most common side effects associated with SSRIs include nausea, headaches, sexual dysfunction, upset stomach, nervousness, sleepiness, dizziness and weight gain. Again, the side effects may vary according to the medication.
Beta-Blockers
The primary job of beta-blockers is to lower high blood pressure. However, this class of medication can help control the physical symptoms of anxiety such as rapid heart rate, dizziness, tremors and sweating. This is accomplished as the medication blocks the stress hormone, norepinephrine. Beta-blockers are better for those who suffer from phobias, such as speaking in public since they only help control the physical symptoms brought on by severe anxiety. Drugs in this class include propranolol (Inderal) and atenolol (Tenormin). The most common side effects associated with beta-blockers include felling light-headed, nausea, sleepiness and a slower pulse.
Buspirone (BuSpar)
Help Guide states that buspirone is a relatively new drug used in the treatment of anxiety and is considered a mild tranquilizer. It helps relieve the symptoms of severe anxiety by increasing the levels of serotonin and decreasing the levels of dopamine, both of which are chemicals in the brain thought to be responsible for anxiety disorders. While it takes approximately two weeks to begin working, its side effects are not as severe as older anti-anxiety medications. It does not impair thinking, has a low risk of addiction and mild withdrawal side effects. The most commonly reported side effects of buspirone include nausea, dizziness, upset stomach, diarrhea, headaches, drowsiness, constipation and dry mouth.
