Anxiety & Stress Medicines

Everyone suffers from anxiety and stress at times, but when these things start having a negative impact on a person's life, it may be time to consider using anxiety and stress medicines. These medications have a variety of benefits, but they are not without their drawbacks.

Significance

• Anxiety and stress medicines were developed to help people who have trouble functioning in their daily lives because they suffer from a high level of anxiety or stress. People who suffer from social phobia or panic attacks can benefit greatly from these medicines.

Types

• Anti-anxiety medications, also known as anxiolytics, are commonly prescribed in the form of benzodiazepines, such as Xanax (alprazolam). Other anti-anxiety and anti-stress medicines include sleeping pills, muscle relaxants and antidepressants. BuSpar (buspirone), an anti-anxiety drug, and beta-blockers are used less commonly.

Time Frame

• Most of these medicines work very quickly and take effect within an hour. Antidepressants, however, take time to build up in the body, so it can be as long as four to six weeks before the full effect of the drug is experienced. The amount of time the drugs last in the body varies.

Function

• Benzodiazepines work by slowing down the central nervous system, which essentially takes the edge off during situations that may be anxiety-provoking. Sleep medications and muscle relaxants help to relax the person so that they may feel less anxiety or stress. Antidepressants work on various neurotransmitters in the brain; it is thought that these chemicals are balanced better with the use of antidepressants, leading to a reduction of anxiety and stress in some people.

Misconceptions

• A common misconception about anxiety and stress medicines is that the sufferer will feel complete relief of the symptoms. This is not so; medication should be used in conjunction with the proper therapies to get the greatest effect.

Warning

• Because anxiety medicines work by slowing down the central nervous system, care should be taken when driving or performing dangerous activities. In addition, if you take too much of the medication, it can slow the central nervous system to the point where you stop breathing. An especially important warning about anxiolytics and stress medicines is that they have the potential for addiction. Always follow your doctor's orders.