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Naturally treatment will vary according to the cause and symptoms being experienced with a particular type of anxiety disorder. For instance treatments may include:
- Treat the medical condition causing the disorder (i.e. hyperthyroidism, depression, bipolar disorder, etc.)
- Remove the offending substance (i.e. nicotine, marihuana, caffeine)
- Resolve the ongoing stress (financial stress, examination)
- Psychotherapy (talking therapy) to resolve unresolved psychological issues
- Medication
- Psychotherapy + medication is often more effective than either treatment alone
Medication Treatment
A variety of medications are available for treating anxiety disorders. Sometimes you may need to try one or more medications to find the treatment most suitable for you.
| Medication Type | Common Side Effects | Precautions and information |
|---|---|---|
| Benzodiazepines Alprazolam (Xanax) Bromazepam (Lectopam) Lorazepam (Ativan) Oxazepam (Serax) Temazepam (Restoril) Chlordiazepoxide hcl (Librium) Clorazepate (Tranxene) Diazepam (Valium) |
|
Avoid tasks requiring alertness, i.e. driving. Do not drink alcohol Physical and psychological dependence can occur |
| Antihistamine Hydroxyzine (Atarax) |
Side effects are generally mild and go away during treatment
|
Do not drink alcohol Avoid tasks requiring alertness, i.e. driving |
| Antidepressants Fluoxetine (Prozac) Fluvoxamine (Luvox) Paroxetine (Paxil) Sertraline (Zoloft) Clomapramine (Anafranil) Venlafaxine (Effexor) |
|
Anxiety treatment is often more effective when an antidepressant is used along with a benzodiazepine than it is if a benzodiazepine is used alone. |
| Beta Blockers Propranolol (Inderal) |
Though normally used to treat high blood pressure this medication is effective at treating anxiety in special situations such as giving a presentation, by decreasing heart rate, shaking hands etc. |
Treatment Goals
- Get rid of the anxiety disorder
- Decrease the intensity of symptoms
- Prevent, shorten and decrease intensity of recurrences.