Do Anxiety and Panic Attacks Medications Work?
The most common treatment for anxiety disorders like panic attacks is medications, majority if not all of which are regulated in most parts of the country. Because they are regulated drugs, these drugs can only be purchased from pharmacies with proper prescription from a doctor. The most common of these medications come from a group called Benzodiazepines such as Ativan, Klonopin, Librium, Librax, Serax, Tranxene, Valium and Xanax. There are also drugs prescribed for specific anxiety disorders such as Beta-blockers, Busbar, MAOI’s Neurontin, SSRIs and Tricyclic Antidepressants.
Not all people believe in the ability of pharmacy-purchased drugs to heal a person. Now, you might ask if such medications intended to alleviate anxiety attacks including panic attacks are effective. The truth is anti-anxiety and anti-panic attacks medications are primarily prescribed by doctors because the results are fast and easily noticeable. The usual criticism about these medications though is that they are not natural. However, although medications may contain synthetic substances, its ingredients are nevertheless originally sourced from plants and herbs but are more potent compared to the latter.
Generally, these medications work by affecting the chemicals of the body by altering and changing them so that they are not excreted at abnormal levels, which causes anxiousness and panic attacks among others. Specifically, medications intended to alleviate panic attacks as an anxiety disorder help in either of the two stages of panic: the anticipatory anxiety and the panic attack itself. There are certain medications that help reduce the signs of a panic attack in either or both stages. There are medications, however, that could block the panic attack itself that patients no longer experience the anticipatory anxiety stage.
However, just like any other medication, such medication cannot be effective to every patient having anxiety and panic attacks. It could also be situation where you may have an adverse reaction to the medication. In such cases, never discontinue it nor increase dosage by self-medication. Always seek the advice of your doctor so that he may either reduce or increase the dosage or completely change the medication.
Although medications in the treatment of anxiety and panic attacks may be effective, they also have drawbacks. Among the drawbacks is the possibility of side effects among which includes change in sexual appetite, clammy hands, confusion, difficulty in breathing, dizziness, faintness, fatigue, headache, irritability, nausea, light headedness, nervousness, palpitations, phobic reaction, rapid heart rate, restlessness, shaky hands, shortness of breath, stomach upset, sweating and trembling. These medications can also trigger tolerance, dependence but rarely cause addiction.
Although medications for anxiety and panic attacks are good treatments to anxiety, its effectivity still depends on the religiousness of the patient to take them as told by the doctor. Usually, the doctor will recommend the medication to be taken in a specific period. Never abruptly discontinue the use of the medication because it can worsen the withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal must also be gradual and must be under the supervision of a physician.
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