Medication can relieve some symptoms but doesn’t cure underlying problem.Usually not a long-term solution, provide temporary relief of anxiety symptoms.Stopping the medication often causes symptoms of anxiety to return to their original intensity.Anxiety medications have their own side effects and safety concerns, including some risk of addiction.Drugs aren’t for everyone.

There are many things to consider if you are considering drugs to treat anxiety, including the side effects, efforts towards self-help, and non-drug treatments.It is important to look into non-drug options for long-term anxiety treatment, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy.Lifestyle changes are imperative for relief in the long run as well.These changes include getting regular exercise, eating well, and having enough sleep.Additional options include meditation, biofeedback, hypnosis, acupuncture, and talk therapy.Many of these options can produce lasting changes.

Medication can be useful in helping getting symptoms under control so that other treatment options can be successfully pursued.

Anti-anxiety drugs are known as tranquilizers.They cause relief of anxiety by slowing down the central nervous system (mainly, the brain).The most common class of anti-anxiety drugs are benzodiazepines.These drugs include Xanax (alprazolam), Valium (diazepam), Klonopin (clonazepam), and Ativan (lorazepam).Benzodiazepines are fast-acting and effective when taken during a period of overwhelming anxiety, such as a panic attack.This class of tranquilizers works reducing brain activity…..

Benzodiazepines can have many undesirable side effects.Some people feel uncoordinated, foggy, and have trouble staying alert during everyday activities such as work or school.This can be the case even in low doses of benzodiazepines.They metabolize slowly and stay in the body for a while. Oversedation, a state of high concentration s of the drug in the system may result, making a person look as if they are drunk.Other side effects include blurred vision, nausea, depression, forgetfulness, dizziness, slurred speech

In rare cases, anti-anxiety drugs can lead to hallucinations, aggressive or impulsive behavior, and mania.These drugs can also have an adverse effect, sometimes causing increased anxiety and irritability

Anti-anxiety medication, when combined with prescribed painkillers, sleeping pills, or alcohol, can prove fatal, so it is imperative that you not combine these drugs with any intoxicants.If you are currently taking other medication, be sure to bring it up with your doctor. Other drugs, such as anti-depressants and anti-histamines can have dangerous drug reactions when taken with benzodiazepines simultaneously.

People who should be particularly careful around benzodiazepines include the elderly, pregnant women, and those with a history of substance abuse.For the elderly, the sedative levels of tranquilizers can increase the likelihood of falls and injury.Benzodiazepines also cross the placenta and enter breast milk, leading many doctors to advise pregnant and nursing women off the medication until the baby is weaned.In this situation, other treatment options are explored.And those with a history of substance abuse with themselves or in the family will have to rigorously monitor their use of tranquilizers to avoid dependence and possible addiction.

Benzodiazepines are meant for short-term use; longer use can lead to dependence, which is a loss of effectiveness.

Surprisingly, some herbs have been shown to have anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) effects comparable to benzodiazepines.Such herbs include lemon balm and passionflower.Lemon balm does not have many of the side effects that can make tranquilizers problematic.Passionflower causes problems such as nausea and drowsiness.