How to Manage Your Anti-Anxiety Medications
Anxiety is the most common mental illness in the United States, with anxiety disorders affecting roughly 40 million adults in the U.S. every year.
Anti-anxiety medications, or anxiolytics, can reduce anxiety symptoms, such as panic attacks, extreme fear and worry. This medication also treats the short-term physical symptoms of anxiety, such as trembling, rapid heartbeat and sweating that people may experience in difficult situations. Taking these anti-anxiety medications on an as-needed basis helps keep your physical symptoms under control and reduces acute anxiety.1
What are some symptoms of anxiety?
Anxiety is more than just feeling nervous. When someone has an anxiety disorder, such as generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder or social anxiety disorder, their anxious feelings linger and may get worse over time. This anxiety eventually affects the person's daily life, including job duties and relationships.
Generalized anxiety disorder – People with generalized anxiety disorder experience lasting worry and anxiety-related symptoms, including irritability, difficulty concentrating, feeling overly tired or restless and muscle tension.
Panic disorder – Panic disorder is characterized by sudden, unexpected bouts of panic, often paired with a racing heart, shortness of breath, debilitating worry and intense fear.
Social anxiety disorder – People with social anxiety disorder may be triggered by situations in which other people are present. This anxiety is based upon the fear of being rejected, embarrassed or judged. People with social anxiety disorder may have a difficult time making or keeping friends and feel nervous or ill around other people.
How anti-anxiety medication can help
Anti-anxiety medication is not a cure for anxiety, but they may help alleviate some of these symptoms. The most common medication taken with anxiety disorders are anti-anxiety medicine, antidepressants and beta-blockers. Working closely with a doctor can determine the best medication and treatment plan for your symptoms.
Can you become addicted to anti-anxiety medication?
Anti-anxiety medication is not a cure for anxiety, but they may help alleviate some of these symptoms. The most common medication taken with anxiety disorders are anti-anxiety medicine, antidepressants and beta-blockers. Working closely with a doctor can determine the best medication and treatment plan for your symptoms.
Although anti-anxiety medications are effective in relieving anxiety, people can form a tolerance if they are taken over a long period of time. In these cases, the individual may need higher doses to get the same effect.2 Some people may even become dependent on them. To avoid these problems, your provider will usually prescribe these medications for a short interval. Use them exactly as directed and talk with your provider about the medications' performance, as other types may be more effective for increased or chronic use.
When you're ready to stop these medications, you may need to slowly decrease the dosage instead of stopping abruptly to avoid experiencing withdrawal symptoms. Your provider can help you safely stop the medication.
Possible side effects of anti-anxiety medication
Like any other medication, anti-anxiety drugs may cause side effects. Talk with your provider if you experience severe side effects that do not go away. Similarly, talk with your provider if you experience any other problems once you start taking the anxiolytics, even if you do not think they are linked.
Some of the most common side effects of anti-anxiety medication may include:
- Nausea – To help with the nausea, take the medication with a small meal, unless the medication should be taken on an empty stomach. Eat smaller, more frequent meals.
- Impaired thinking or blurred vision – Avoid driving, doing exacting work or operating dangerous machinery when taking these medications.
- Fatigue or drowsiness – Fatigue and drowsiness are common, especially when beginning treatment. Be cautious of participating in activities that require high levels of concentration within a few hours of taking the medication.
If you experience any persistent side effects, discuss them with your doctor or pharmacist to find solutions that work for you. Do not adjust taking the medication dosage or frequency or add additional medication without first talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
Promptly seek medical advice and evaluation if you, your child or another family member is taking anxiolytics and experiences suicidal thinking or behavior, nervousness, agitation, irritability, mood instability, or sleeplessness that either emerges or worsens during treatment.3
Long-term anti-anxiety medication management
Secure your medications so others can't access them. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, anti-anxiety medications are responsible for 30 percent of all pharmaceutical overdose deaths. If you have concerns about your dosage or others taking your anti-anxiety medication, contact your provider immediately.4
Signs of anti-anxiety medication dependence may include:
- Regularly taking the medication for four months or longer
- Increasing dosage
- Consuming alcohol with the medication
- Feeling as though the medication no longer works
- Only being able to sleep while on the medication
- Having to take extra pills during stressful times
- Medication affecting personal relationships or job duties
Some people may continue to increase dosage or take medication for longer than intended to avoid withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms may include:
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Sweating
- Shaking
- Pounding heart
- Confusion
If you or a family member exhibits signs of anti-anxiety medication dependency or withdrawal, contact your provider immediately. With proper care and medical assistance, these medications can ease the symptoms of anxiety and allow people to safely live a more anxiety-free life.
Learn about the different types of mental health therapy, video chat live with a therapist for an introductory consultation, or visit Mental Health America for a comprehensive list of mental health support organizations and therapists in your area as to help you find the care you need in seconds. Living a happier, healthier life is only a click away.
Sources:
1 National Institute of Mental Health. Mental Health Medications. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/mental-health-medications/index.shtml#part_149857 (accessed 4/4/2016)
2 National Institute of Mental Health. Mental Health Medications. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/mental-health-medications/index.shtml#part_149857 (accessed 4/4/2016)
3 National Institute of Mental Health. Mental Health Medications. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/mental-health-medications/index.shtml#part_149857 (accessed 4/4/2016)
4 Centers for Disease Prevention and Control. CDC Newsroom. Opioids drive continued increase in drug overdose deaths. https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2013/p0220_drug_overdose_deaths.html (accessed 4/4/2016)