Is Using Anxiety Medication Good or Bad?

Anti-anxiety medication is a method of treatment for anxiety sufferers that helps to relieve symptoms, but does not cure the disorder. There is a controversy about using medications due to side effects, lack of effectiveness and the potential for drug dependence.

Psychological Benefits

• Anti-anxiety medication help you relax when taken as directed by providing a calming effect and reduces the severity of anxiety when a panic attack occurs. Your overall mood can improve, which lowers the frequency of negative thoughts.

Antidepressant Side Effects

• You may experience fatigue, insomnia, dizziness, nausea or headaches while on antidepressants.

Benzodiazepine Side Effects

• Depression can also occur from long-term use of benzodiazepines, a commonly prescribed anti-anxiety medication. Other common side effects include clumsiness, slurred speech, confusion, memory loss or blurred vision.

Dependence

• Anti-anxiety drugs can cause drug dependence, which results in withdrawal symptoms such as severe anxiety and strong panic attacks if you decide to stop taking them.

Physical Benefits

• Physical symptoms of anxiety such as sweating, heart palpitations and shaking are reduced. If anxiety prevents you from functioning properly or disrupts your work, family or social life, then medication is an option for managing your life.