Anti-Anxiety Medications to Relax Nerves on the Rise in the US
What about the role of medication in anxiety treatment? What are the costs versus the benefits? Are drugs really the answer? Well, I can tell you that in the settings that I have worked in the past, almost all my patients were on drugs but they were sent to see me. Why? Because even if the drugs were somewhat helpful, they did not eliminate the anxiety problem alone. In fact, they may caused other problems like uncomfortable side effects such as sexual dysfunction, weight gain or dependence.
Evidence of Increasing Reliance on Anti-Anxiety Medication
Anti-anxiety drugs called Benzodiazepines are prescribed at increasing levels in the United States and worldwide. In the US, Benzodiazepine medications are prescribed at approximately 66 million doctor appointments each year. This data is based upon a recent report by the US National Center for Health Statistics.
What does this mean? Basically 27 of each 100 doctor visits per year in the US will end in a prescription for a Benzodiazepine to be written.
Benzodiazepine medications are sedatives. They are prescribed for anxiety but also sleep. Benzodiazepine medications are addictive and lead to dependence. You will become dependent upon them in a matter of days. Nasty withdrawal symptoms make it difficult to quit taking them. Overdose and combination with other drugs can cause death.
Benzodiazepines work at the GABA receptors in your brain similar where to alcohol operates. They increase alcohol effects, and other drugs and therefore are one of the biggest dangers for those who consume alcohol, pain killer takers, and others.
When they are used daily and long term they have lots of negative effects. These include interrupting brain derived neurotropic factors essential for cell regeneration, cell growth and replenishment in your organs. Thus they cause accelerated aging.
Sleep can be disrupted rather than ultimately helped. Why? Because Benzodiazepines interrupt two of the essential 5 stages of sleep cycles, and they are addictive. They modify brain neuron connections that show up during withdrawal from the drug.
Importantly, Benzodiazepines don't show any scientific evidence for positive effect for many of the types of mental diagnoses for which they are routinely prescribed. They are not given the same cautions as "prescribing alcohol” would mandate.
Higher and Higher Doses of Medications for Anxiety May be Needed
JANE
Jane (not her real name) came to me because she continued to experience anxiety at high levels. She was bright, highly educated and worked as a special education teacher at a private psychiatric hospital. Her anxiety was being treated by one of the psychiatrist where she worked. Over time, she needed higher and higher doses of Xanax to get relief from her anxiety. She had become dependent and wanted to reduce her reliance on the drugs which seemed less and less effective despite the higher doses. Finally, and with the blessing of her psychiatrist she sought psychotherapy in my office.
Anti-anxiety medications like Benzodiazepines may reduce anxiety and often improve sleep. But, anti-anxiety medications should be used for relieving anxiety only on a short-term basis.
What are some common names of anti-anxiety medications called Benzodiazepine?
· Ativan (lorazepam)
· Xanax (alprazolam)
· Valium (diazepam)
· Klonopin (clonazepam)
What are some common SSRIs use to treat anxiety as well as depression?
· Celexa (citalopram)
· Prozac or Sarafem (fluoxetine)
· Zoloft (sertraline)
· Lexapro (escitalopram)
· Paxil, Paxeva, or Brisdelle (paroxetine)
Here are some older generation tricyclic anti-depressants (TCAs) use to treat anxiety and sleep as well.
· doxepin (Sinequan)
· amitriptyline (Elavil)
· trimipramine (Surmontil)
· desipramine (Norpramin)
· clomipramine (Anafranil)
· imipramine (Tofranil)
· trazadone (Desyrel)
· amoxapine (Amoxapine Tablets)
· desipramine (Norpramin)
· nortriptyline (Pamelor, Aventyl)
SYMPTOMS RETURN WHEN MEDICATION STOPS
Even when there was some positive impact on the anxiety of the drugs, when they were discontinued the symptoms returned. Why? Because the person had not learned how to effectively cope with their fears, apprehensions and undesirable thoughts.
Never combine anti-anxiety medications (benzodiazepines) and prescription painkillers like opioids. This has the same effect or worse as combining alcohol and pain medications. It can and likely will suppress your breathing with complications up to and including death. Simply put, you stop breathing in your sleep and die.
While it is true that only the benzodiazepines are physically addictive, it is crucial to wean off all anti-anxiety medications slowly. This is accomplished by your physician or psychiatrist reducing dosage gradually every one to two weeks. This is never done abruptly without potential severe consequences.
Eric
Anti-Anxiety Medications Can Have Side Effects
Eric (not his real name) was a patient of mine that went to Disney World with his wife and two children. Eric thought that getting away from the stress contributing to his anxiety with the wife and kids was just what he needed. He certainly could benefit from a break.
Eric did not take his SSRI Zoloft with him on the vacation. He reasoned that he was away from the stress of work and there was no reason to take the mediation. In essence he abruptly stopped the drug.
Eric needed up in the local ER in Orlando with delirium or extreme confusion. He frightened his wife and children and the vacation, at least in part, turned out badly. His prescriber failed to tell him or he forgot that stopping the SSRI abruptly was a bad idea.
If you discontinue SSRIs like Zoloft, Celexa or Lexapro or TCAs like Trazadone too quickly symptoms will return and you may experience serious side effects like confusion or delirium. Other symptoms may include flu-like symptoms, nausea, trouble sleeping, poor balance, perceptual changes, and severe anxiety.
Stopping benzodiazepines rapidly can cause seizures. It is vital that they be weaned slowly. These medications cause physical dependence. This is why over time you need higher and higher doses to get the same effects.
CBT Helps You Think Differently
When it comes to anxiety treatment, self-care is vital to improved functioning at home, work and in relationships. If you have a problem with anxiety you need to reduce caffeine intake, avoid alcohol, and get exercise of any kind.
Learning meditation, relaxation techniques, avoiding nicotine and eating a healthy and well-balanced diet rich in organic products are essential for success. Talking to someone who can help, such as a psychologist, is crucial for those suffering from persistent anxiety.
The most effective psychotherapy approach for anxiety treatment is cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT for short. This is a treatment based upon scientific evidence of effectiveness. You will look at your internal dialog or self-talk with a therapist trained in anxiety management.
TALK TO SOMEONE WHO CAN HELP
If you have persistent anxiety, it is essential that you begin to modify catastrophic thoughts replete with fear and threat. You need to examine your avoidance behavior with someone who can help. Those with anxiety frequently escape from environments or situations they fear and this increases the strength of the anxiety. It is better to have a plan of action developed with the help of a skill psychologist. Thus, entering fearful environments or situations is done to increase success.
Even an experienced psychologist my not be the right fit. It is critical that you enjoy a rapport with the person that you are speaking with. Their having the background and knowledge in treating anxiety is only one piece of the puzzle. You must be able to relate to that person in a way which feels comfortable to you. Behavioral health professionals refer to this a ‘rapport.’
If you are experiencing anxiety or want to work with your physician to wean off drugs, contact fearless mind online counseling in Jacksonville. We can help. Consider a FREE no obligation 20-minute strategy session today.