The symptoms of anxiety they vary a lot, but they often affect daily life and can be disabling. Anyone who goes through something like this immediately seeks a remedy that will make the feeling of anxiety go away.
Anxiety (or feeling anxious) is our body’s natural response to various everyday situations.. But when it causes exaggerated and significant suffering, it may be some inconvenience that needs treatment.
“Anxiety medication is indicated when there is an impact on the individual’s social and professional life, compromising the routine, affecting sleep and eating. Generally, the symptoms of fatigue, worry and fear are intense and occur for at least six months “, explains psychiatrist Christiane Ribeiro.
Self-medication, that is, taking medication without a medical prescription, usually aggravates symptoms. A professional recommendation is needed to start a treatment, otherwise the situation tends to get worse.
Anxiety Remedies: See What Works
It is quite common that when looking for a psychiatrist due to anxiety, the person leaves the office with an indication of an antidepressant. There are several types of this medicine that can be prescribed.
Treatment varies according to the intensity of symptoms or after diagnosis of disorders such as OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder), GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder) and panic syndrome.
“Antidepressants are commonly used for the treatment of all types of anxiety disorders, as they have the advantage of reducing depressionwhich is often associated with anxiety”, explains pharmacist Marcelo Polacow, president of CRF-SP (Regional Council of Pharmacy of the State of São Paulo).
This type of medication helps the brain better absorb some substances, such as serotonin and norepinephrinethe neurotransmitters that help regulate mood.
Among the main antidepressants, we can mention:
Anxiolytics are drugs with a tranquilizing effect that act on the central nervous system and reduce the physical symptoms of anxiety.such as muscle tension, in addition to moderating excitement and improving sleep.
They can be given on a one-off basis to deal with short-term problems, but they are not usually prescribed for long periods — some lose effectiveness over time and cause dependence and withdrawal.
Among the main anxiolytics, the following stand out:
It is also common for the individual with anxiety, especially at the beginning of treatment, to use anxiolytic with some type of antidepressant.
Indicated to treat problems such as high pressure or cardiac disorders, beta-blockers may be indicated to ease the physical symptoms of anxiety, such as tachycardia.
Beta-blockers do not treat anxiety itself, they only momentarily ease discomfort.
Among the beta-blockers used to control anxiety symptoms are:
possible side effects
The drugs used for control anxiety may cause some side effects. To minimize the risks, it is essential to report the discomforts presented to the doctor.
Side effects of anxiety medications include:
- Lack of motor coordination
- Tachycardia
- sexual dysfunction
- gastrointestinal problems
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Edema in the feet and ankles
- Dry mouth
- Chills
- Mental confusion
- Insomnia or drowsiness
Other ways to alleviate anxiety
Generally, the person with excessive anxiety needs medical follow-up for a long time. The recommended thing is to look for a psychologist to learn how to deal with emotions.
In addition to medication, it is also necessary to change some daily habits to increase well-being. See below for some recommendations:
- Practicing regular physical activity
- Avoid caffeinated foods
- To meditate
- Maintain a balanced diet
- breathing techniques
- Perform relaxing massages
- Decrease technology use, especially before bed
- Invest in a hobby and leisure time
Sources: Christiane Ribeiropsychiatrist and member of the Women’s Mental Health Commission of the ABP (Brazilian Association of Psychiatry); Vera Lúcia Viveiros Sá, psychiatrist and professor at Unifesp (Federal University of São Paulo); and Marcelo Polaców, President of the Regional Pharmacy Council of the State of São Paulo.