Anxiety is a fairly common condition, affecting over 40 million people in the USA. However, it can be difficult to know when run-of-the-mill anxiety becomes something more serious that should be treated with medication. In general, if your anxiety starts impacting your ability to function normally, it may be time to consider medication, but let’s take a deeper look.
Who Can Prescribe Anxiety Meds?
Anxiety medication is not an over-the-counter medication, meaning it must be prescribed. Anxiety meds can only be prescribed by licensed medical professionals. This can include:
- Psychiatrists
- Primary Care Physicians
- Nurse Practitioners
- Physician Assistants
Of course, these professionals will not prescribe anxiety meds to anyone who asks. They will ask about your symptoms, triggers, family history, medical history, and substance use. They will then use this information to decide if anxiety meds would be helpful for you, or if a different form of treatment would be more appropriate.
Do Anxiety Meds Help?
Anxiety medications are commonly prescribed, not surprising when you consider that 16.5% of people have taken prescription medication for their mental health. These medications can be helpful, but their efficacy varies from person to person. Also, “anxiety medication” is an umbrella term for a number of different medications that help anxiety in different ways. The most common types of medications prescribed for anxiety are:
- Benzodiazepines: These are used to treat panic attacks, worry, and extreme fear. They can be extremely effective and fast-acting. However, there is a downside. These medications can be extremely addictive, and so should not be used for long periods of time.
- Antidepressants: These are not only used for treating depression, but also anxiety. These medications can help treat chemical imbalances, such as a lack of serotonin, that may contribute to anxiety. Before using them, you should be aware that they can cause nausea, headaches, weight gain, and sexual side effects.
- Beta Blockers: These medications are actually meant to treat heart disease, but can be prescribed to combat the physical symptoms of anxiety, such as sweating, trembling, and increased heart rate. Unfortunately, they often produce side effects such as weight gain, fatigue, and cold hands and feet.
Some people find that the side effects of these medications are not worth the help they provide. Fortunately, there are other options for treating anxiety.
Anxiety Medication Alternatives
If you or your doctor decide that anxiety meds are not the right path for you, don’t worry. There are plenty of other treatment options that can actually be more effective than medication.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is often the most effective way of treating anxiety. Different types of therapy may be used, but the most effective is usually cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT involves speaking with a therapist and talking through the thoughts and emotions at the heart of the patient’s anxiety. It helps to unlearn the negative thought patterns that lead to anxiety. CBT often has a very high success rate when it comes to treating anxiety.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is making an effort to be aware of your own thoughts, feelings, and actions. It is not a strict framework and aims to help patients accept who they are and what is happening. This acceptance helps to calm and ease feelings of anxiety.
Anxiety Treatment Programs
Luckily, you do not have to treat anxiety on your own. Day treatment programs make use of therapists and other medical professionals to help treat anxiety. Therapies used will often include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), and exposure therapy. Most often, these are outpatient programs, minimizing the impact treatment has on the patient’s life. Outpatient programs also allow for the practice of coping skills in the real world as they are learned. However, for the most extreme cases of anxiety, inpatient programs are available.
Warning Signs Your Anxiety Needs Treatment
It can be difficult to know when it is time to seek treatment for anxiety, but there are warning signs that usually mean treatment is necessary. These include:
- Constantly feeling overwhelmed by worry.
- Experiencing frequent anxiety or panic attacks.
- Having trouble sleeping due to anxiety.
- Avoiding once-enjoyed or common activities due to fear.
- Experiencing physical symptoms of anxiety, such as headaches, dizziness, increased heart rate, sweating, and fatigue.
- Anxiety is affecting performance at school or work.
- Experiencing irrational phobias.
This is not a complete list, as anxiety can present itself in different ways for different people. If you feel that anxiety is impacting your ability to live a fulfilling and happy life, then it is time to seek treatment.