Why Prescription Medications May Not Be Best Treatment For Panic Attacks and General Anxiety

Over the years, doctors have recommended several different types of prescription medications to help treat or relief panic attacks and generalized anxiety disorder symptoms. So far, these medications have be shown to be both dangerous and addictive with several major side effects.

We will highlight some of the common prescription medications for the treatment of panic attacks and generalized anxiety disorder and why they may not be the best course of therapy.

Anti-anxiety and panic attack medications. Benzodiazepines are basically sedatives. They have the advantage of easing panic attacks and generalized anxiety within 30 to 90 minutes. On the downside, they can be habit-forming if you take them for more than a few weeks. For this reason, your doctor may prescribe them for only a short time to help you get through a particularly difficult period of attacks. The most commonly prescribed sedatives include alprazolam (Xanax), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), clonazepam (Klonopin), diazepam (Valium) and lorazepam (Ativan). These medications may cause unsteadiness, drowsiness, reduced muscle coordination and problems with balance. Higher doses and long-term use can cause memory problems. Do not drive or use heavy machinery while taking these drugs.

Another type of anti-anxiety and panic attack medication often prescribed for suffers is buspirone (BuSpar). While this medication typically takes several weeks to improve symptoms, it does not pose a risk of dependence. A common side effect of buspirone is a brief feeling of lightheadedness shortly after taking it. Less common side effects include headaches, nausea, nervousness and insomnia.

Antidepressants. These medications influence the activity of certain neurotransmitters that are thought to play a role in panic attacks and anxiety disorders. Examples of antidepressants used to treat panic attacks and generalized anxiety disorder include fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), imipramine (Tofranil), venlafaxine (Effexor), escitalopram (Lexapro) and duloxetine (Cymbalta).

Whether you take anti-anxiety and panic attack medications, antidepressants or both, you may need to try several of these medications to find which one works best for you with the fewest side effects. Also keep in mind that some medications do not work immediately, particularly antidepressants. It may take several weeks before you notice the full effects of anxiety relief.

There are safe natural techniques that have been discovered and proven to help you overcome panic attacks and generalized anxiety disorder with no side effects. These techniques can safely cure your problem in the shortest possible time.

However, there are strong evidence that show cognitive behavior therapy can help improve symptoms of panic attacks and generalized anxiety disorder. Cognitive behavior therapy helps you identify unhealthy, negative beliefs and behaviors and replace them with healthy, positive ones. It is based on the idea that your own thoughts - not other people or situations - determine how you behave. Even if an unwanted situation does not change, you can change the way you think and behave in a positive way. Generally a short-term treatment, cognitive behavior therapy emphasizes learning to develop a sense of mastery and control over your thoughts and feelings. This approach is the best technique that can cure your panic attack and generalized anxiety disorder not prescription medication.