Anxiety Medications for the Weary Soul

In a world of busy streets and busy lives, it is very easy to ignore any situation that is unpleasant or even uncomfortable. In this case, what should one do if suddenly one becomes anxious without any known reason? There are people who become housebound due to their fear of being in crowded places or even in open places wherein they might feel vulnerable and more prone to panic attacks. People who have these feelings of worry and emotional instability may be given anti-anxiety medications by a physician.



Today, there is a large amount of anti-anxiety medications available that one might think that any one of these will be a suitable and effective treatment option. One proven effective medication is called Benzodiazepine, an anti- anxiety medication that has an almost instant reaction in the body. You can take this prescription medication 30 to 60 minutes before going engaging in any activity that might become stressful, or simply after one feels worried.



For people who have acute but infrequent anxiety attacks, Benzodiazepine would be the best anti- anxiety medication to take. However, due to its addictive nature it would be best not to use Benzodiazepines for a long period of time. The risk of seizure is raised in cases where the said drug is used for extended periods of time.



Other anti-anxiety medications that are now in common use include SSRIs or serotonin-specific reuptake inhibitors. These antidepressant drugs are very popular due to their low addiction levels; mild side effects; and the fact that they can bring down the feelings of acute anxiety. SSRIs work by maximizing the natural levels of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that can affect a person's moods. By taking an anti-anxiety medication like Paxil, serotonin is inhibited from being reabsorbed by the body. Therefore, more serotonin is produced by the body when necessary. The side effects of this medication are mild, and can range from dry mouth to sleepiness. If one desires fast results, then one should not take any SSRIs as they would need 2 to 6 weeks to infiltrate the system before one would notice any significant improvements.



Another popular anti anxiety medication called dopamine agonists work by increasing the levels of dopamine in the brain. Like SSRIs, dopamine agonists take a few weeks before showing any effects in relieving a person from his or her anxiety symptoms. The side effects of this class of drugs includes insomnia and sometimes extreme excitedness. The last type of anti-anxiety medication that is currently being used would be Buspar. This drug is a mild anti-anxiety medication is non-habit forming. Like SSRIs and dopamine agonists, Buspar takes a while for its medical properties to take effect.



These medications can help one in restoring a sense of normalcy to one's life, but as with all drugs and treatments, one should first talk with a trained medical practitioner who can help in choosing the best anti-anxiety medication for you.