When is Medication Needed for Anxiety?

There are now numerous medications available for treating symptoms of anxiety.  The most commonly prescribed anti-anxiety medicines are Clonazepam (brand name Klonopin), Lorazepam (Ativan), Alprazolam (Xanax) and Diazepam (Valium).  These drugs are all benzodiazepines which work by enhancing the effects of a neurotransmitter called GABA which keeps the body calm. While these anti-anxiety drugs can be very effective, they do come with risks like drug dependence.  But, if anxiety is left untreated, it is likely to get worse.  So, how do you know if medications are needed for treating your anxiety?   Defining Your Anxiety The first step in treating anxiety is to figure out what is causing it.  When anxiety is caused by an identifiable stressor, then treatment can be as simple as removing that stressor.  Not all stressors can be easily removed but coping methods can help reduce the stress.  For example, starting a budget-planning book can help you deal with financial stress.   When there is no identifiable cause of the anxiety and symptoms are severe and/or frequent, then it is considered to be generalized anxiety disorder, or GAD.  When the cause of the anxiety is known but the cause is causing a disproportional or irrational amount of anxiety, then it is considered to a be a specific type of anxiety disorder.  For example, if your anxiety occurs only when you are in public places, you may have social anxiety disorder.   Weighing the Symptoms If your anxiety symptoms are not severe, then you can try to deal with the anxiety with therapy or self-help methods.  There are numerous breathing exercises which can help reduce anxiety.  Eating a healthy diet and exercising have also been shown to improve anxiety.  However, if your symptoms are severe and keeping you from partaking in life, then you should seek medical help.  Your doctor may not prescribe medicines for anxiety right away but some sort of treatment must begin: if an anxiety disorder is not treated, it usually just gets worse.   A severe reaction to anxiety is called a panic attack.  Panic attacks are marked by physical and psychological symptoms, such as feeling like you cannot breath, rapid heartbeat, and extreme terror.  Anyone who has gone through a panic attack will testify to how scary they can be. Many people end up in the emergency room during their first panic attack because they believe they are dying.  For panic attacks, medication is often needed.  Clonazepam is the drug of choice for most doctors when it comes to treating panic attacks.

   Unlike other anxiety symptoms, panic attacks often come on suddenly and without warning.  Because of these characteristics, a fast-acting medicine like Clonazepam is needed to ensure patients get relief quickly.  Clonazepam is not for regular anxiety but only for dealing with panic attacks on an as-needed basis.   Just the fear of a panic attack can cause people to become reclusive and withdraw from life.  By knowing that they have a Clonazepam pill on hand to stop panic in its tracks, patients can feel safer and resume their lives with less worry.