Benzodiazepines (like Xanax) are taken for anxiety and panic attacks as needed. They work rapidly (30-60 minutes) and wear off after several hours.
Benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines are a type of sedative that may sometimes be used as a short-term treatment during a particularly severe period of anxiety. This is because they help ease the symptoms within 30 to 90 minutes of taking the medication. If you're prescribed a benzodiazepine, it'll usually be diazepam.
For anxiety: For oral dosage forms (solution, tablets, or orally disintegrating tablets): Adults—At first, 0.25 to 0.5 milligram (mg) 3 times a day. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed.
Antidepressants are sometimes best when taken in the morning due to their potential side effects.
Anti-anxiety medications help reduce the symptoms of anxiety, such as panic attacks or extreme fear and worry. The most common anti-anxiety medications are called benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines are a group of medications that can help reduce anxiety and make it easier to sleep.
If you have anxiety, medication can help because the medications used for anxiety alter the chemicals in your body and brain, reducing symptoms, and often helping you calm down and focus on other things.
Side effects that you may experience with anxiety medication include: Fatigue, tiredness, or drowsiness. Restlessness or agitation. Insomnia or difficulty sleeping.
“Once our brain starts to adjust to the medication, our behaviors and facial expressions will begin to subtly change,” says MacKenna. “Those who see us every day will pick up on these changes before we realize we are beginning to feel better.” You start sleeping well.
Anxiety disorders are the most common of mental disorders and affect nearly 30% of adults at some point in their lives. But anxiety disorders are treatable and a number of effective treatments are available.
Anxiety medications.
Benzodiazepines like alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), diazepam (Valium), and lorazepam (Ativan) can make you feel drowsy or weak for a few hours to several days, depending on which one you take.
When your fears and worries prevent you from seeing your loved ones, doing your job well or living your life fully, it may be time to try anxiety medication to handle your symptoms. Having anxiety doesn't mean you're not a good, capable and productive person.
Stress. Daily stressors like traffic jams or missing your train can cause anyone anxiety. But long-term or chronic stress can lead to long-term anxiety and worsening symptoms, as well as other health problems. Stress can also lead to behaviors like skipping meals, drinking alcohol, or not getting enough sleep.
Difficult experiences in childhood, adolescence or adulthood are a common trigger for anxiety problems. Going through stress and trauma when you're very young is likely to have a particularly big impact. Experiences which can trigger anxiety problems include things like: physical or emotional abuse.
Rebound anxiety happens when you stop taking the medication and your symptoms return, often with greater intensity than before you started taking it. Often, this rebound mainly involves physical symptoms, but you could also notice increased feelings of worry, irritability, and fear.
Two of the most common treatment paths are talk-therapy and anti-anxiety medication. If you are weighing your options, you may wonder, “Does anti-anxiety medicine work?” The short answer is yes, it can, as long as it is the right option for you.
Risks of Anxiety Disorder Medications
There are a range of side effects, which, depending on the medication, can include dry mouth, diarrhea/constipation, lower appetite, sleep issues, nausea and heartburn. Some medications can also spark feelings of nervousness, irritability or, in severe cases, suicidal thoughts.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) SSRIs and SNRIs are often the first-line treatment for anxiety. Common SSRI brands are Celexa, Lexapro, Luvox, Paxil, and Zoloft.
This is a reasonable fear because the medication can initially make our mood a little flat. However, once our bodies are used to the drug, this often levels off, leaving us feeling calmer and more stable. Many people fear that taking psychoactive meds will rob them of their creativity.
One study found a two-way relationship between overthinking and other mental health issues. Hafeez calls it a “chicken-and-egg” situation: High levels of stress, anxiety, and depression can contribute to overthinking. Meanwhile, overthinking may be associated with increased stress, anxiety, and depression.
An anxiety disorder can be caused by multiple factors, such as genetics, environmental stressors and medical conditions. New research also indicates that chronic anxiety symptoms that will not go away can be due to an autoimmune response, triggered by common infections.