How to Reduce Anxiety With Medication

Sometimes, no matter how hard you try to reduce your anxiety by natural methods, the anxiety simply doesn't go away. When anxiety begins to impede your ability to maintain a normal level of functioning, it may be time to consider reducing anxiety with medication. This is simple to do, but should always be a last resort, as anxiety medication is generally addictive.

Instructions

• 1

  Do your research. There are a variety of anxiety medications on the market. The most commonly prescribed medications for anxiety are a class of drugs called benzodiazepines. Because benzodiazepines are tranquilizers, familiarize yourself with typical doses of these medicines to ensure you do not take too much.

  Another class of drugs commonly prescribed for anxiety are SSRI antidepressants. SSRI stands for Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor. These medicines increase the amount of serotonin available in your brain, causing a calming effect which reduces anxiety. Of the two classes of drugs, SSRIs are the least addictive, although you should never discontinue them rapidly.

• 2

  Make an appointment with your doctor. Most doctors will prescribe anxiety medicine without referring you to a psychiatrist. Talk to your doctor about when you have anxiety. If you have panic attacks only occasionally, the doctor may give you a benzodiazepine such as Xanax to use in "emergencies." If your anxiety is an everyday occurrence, it is likely that your doctor will prescribe an SSRI. Some doctors may prescribe both an SSRI antidepressant and a benzodiazepine for maximum reduction of anxiety. Antidepressants may take up to six weeks to work, although an article in Psychiatric Times by Dr. Michael A. Posternakand suggests that in many cases, individuals respond much sooner. While you wait for the antidepressant to achieve its maximum effectiveness, a benzodiazepine can help you control your anxiety.

• 3

  Take the amount of medicine prescribed. With anxiety, it can be tempting to take more than the prescribed amount in your search for relief. Taking more medication than prescribed can quickly lead to addiction, and in the case of antidepressants, will most likely lead to greater anxiety.

• 4

  Take your anxiety medicine every day. When your anxiety has gone away, it can be tempting to discontinue your medication. In the case of antidepressants, this can be dangerous. Quitting your medication abruptly can cause discontinuation syndrome, which can leave you with more anxiety than you had before you began the anxiety medicine.

• 5

  Stop drinking if you drink alcoholic beverages. Drinking and anxiety medicine do not mix. Mixing alcohol with benzodiazepines can be fatal. Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any other medications, as even over the counter drugs can interact with anxiety medication.