Drug Treatment for Anxiety Disoder

Anxiety is a common problem in the United States today. When anxiety develops into generalized anxiety disorder, a primary remedy is psychiatric drug treatment.

Anxiety

• Anxiety involves feelings of worry and uneasiness and is not a cause for concern if short-lived and of low intensity. If anxiety becomes severe and long lasting it can develop into a medical condition such as generalized anxiety disorder.

Treating Anxiety

• There are a number of treatments for anxiety disorders, depending on their severity, including relaxation and psychotherapy. When feelings of anxiety begin to significantly interfere with life activities, treatment with medication may be warranted.

Drug Treatment

• The most common drugs used to treat anxiety disorder are tranquilizers known as benzodiazepines such as Xanax and Valium, which help reduce the intensity of anxious feelings. These drugs are fast acting but also have the potential for dependence if taken over a long period of time.

Anxiety and Depression

• Anxiety and depression have been shown to be related so anxiety is sometimes treated with antidepressant drugs such as Zoloft, Paxil and Lexapro. These drugs take four to six weeks to take effect but do not have the same potential for dependence.

Side Effects

• The side effects associated with benzodiazepines can include dependence, drowsiness, fatigue, slurred speech and in some cases depression. Side effects for antidepressant drugs can include nausea, sexual dysfunction, headaches and sleepiness.