Anxiety Medication Options For Treating Anxiety

Prescription Medications or Homeopathic Medicines?

There are some anxiety medications that anxiety sufferers claim to get relief from and they can be either prescription or natural solutions. Deciding whether to take medication for your anxiety or a homeopathic remedy, is something you should discuss with your doctor.

Beta Blockers for Anxiety

Beta blockers used for anxiety are to keep the adrenaline rush from having such a great impact on the body. During an anxiety attack, physical symptoms can present which include fast breathing, rapid heart rate and shaking or trembling.

This class of medication blocks the way and prevents receptors from getting certain panic signals. There is some debate in the medical community about the use of this drug during normal bouts of anxiety such as when preparing for a public appearance or getting interviewed for a job.

• Beta blockers are used to slow down the heart rate.

• Once anxiety has passed and the heart rate returns to the proper beats per minute, the risk of the heart beating too slow can become a problem.

• Only people with current, ongoing, chronic anxiety should consider taking a beta blocker to manage the stress to the body.

When the doctor says he’s prescribing beta blockers for anxiety, what he’s saying is he’s going to give you a medication that will prevent the body from reacting to the anxiety.

To explain how it works, let’s look at a footballer in play. A football player blocks a play by performing a tackle on his opponent, and this medication keeps the adrenaline from scoring a reaction. Before you get on medication to treat your anxiety, make sure you understand the type of anxiety you have and how taking a blocker can help.

• Once you are on this type of medication, keep a watchful eye on how it affects your blood pressure. If you take high blood pressure medicine, taking a beta blocker too can cause your blood pressure to drop too low since these are also used to manage that condition as well.

• Most side effects of a beta blocker are very mild and people tolerate them well. If you must take the medication long term, never suddenly stop taking it on your own since they must be stopped gradually to minimize the stress to the heart.

• The upside of using a blocker over other anxiety medications is that the long term effects are good and you can start out on a low dosage.

What Other Choices Do You Have?

The first thing to remember is that not all symptoms and disorders are completely cured with anxiety medications. Many simply become much more manageable, and are alleviated enough that the patient can get on with his or her life while still experiencing some mild forms of their disorder.

• If you’re thinking that an anxiety medication is some type of magic pill that will turn you back to normal, you may be in for some disappointment.

• This is why many anxiety medications work best when they are taken in conjunction with behavior or group therapy.

Patients learn coping mechanisms and new ways of thinking themselves through a panic attack or when they have a bout of post-traumatic stress disorder. They can also learn to calm whatever obsessive thoughts are not completely controlled with their anxiety medications.

You should definitely let your doctor know about any other medications you are taking, including over-the-counter or homeopathic remedies.

There is always the risk of drug interaction with anxiety medications, such as with St. John’s Wort.

Also, ask your doctor specifically about any possible side effects and what to do if any become severe.

Make sure you are willing to put up with any of those possible side effects and are prepared for them if they should occur. If you do experience side effects, should you stop taking the medication, and if so, does your doctor need to know about that? Yes! Medications can be addictive and stopping them abruptly can cause severe side effects!

Anxiety medications, like any other prescription, will only work if they are taken in the prescribed manner and dosage. Never think that you can adjust your medications yourself, and do not simply stop taking them without speaking with your doctor first.

Improper use of anxiety medications can have serious consequences and if you have any questions about any of your medications or your condition, do not hesitate to speak up and ask.

What Are Your Natural Options

You have many natural options and homeopathic remedies for anxiety relief.

• You can use therapy, meditation, yoga, natural supplements, herbal teas and the list goes on!

Don’t ever think that your options are limited. You always have choices. Ask your doctor what they are. Don’t just take the first choice given to you. So if you decide you don’t want to take anxiety medications you can also try any of these natural treatments to help you combat your own type of anxiety disorder.

There are also many excellent self help anxiety programs available too. What ever your choice you can learn to control your anxiety and panic attacks, once you know what is the cause of your anxiety.

Do you know what is causing yours? Know this first and then search for your preferred treatment.

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