Treatment & Recovery
Beware! Before taking any medication, herb or vitamin for any anxiety or stress disorder:
1. Ask your doctor or counselor to tell you about the medication’s effects as well as its side affects.
2. Be honest about any prescriptions, alternative therapies or any over-the-counter medications you are using.
3. Ask when and how the medication will be stopped. Caution must be taken when attempting to stop.
4. Insist on knowing any and all consequences that may arise from failure to follow the prescribed dosage and/or duration of medication.
5. Work with your physician to determine the right medication and the correct dosage for treating your symptoms.
6. Do not take additional prescription or over-the-counter products without consulting your physician.
7. Approach all recommendations cautiously; some medications can be addictive.
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Psychiatrists or physicians can prescribe medications for anxiety disorders. When doctors work closely with mental health professionals, comprehensive treatment plans can be developed. It must be noted that medication cannot cure anxiety disorder, but may keep the symptoms under control, enabling the person to lead a more normal life.
Here are the major classifications of medications used for anxiety disorders:
• Antidepressants
• Monoamine oxidize inhibitors (MAO)
• Anti-anxiety agents and beta-blockers
Antidepressants must be used with caution. They can interact with common foods and drugs to cause high blood pressure. The following class of antidepressants also block panic attacks:
• Nardil
• Parnate
• Marplan
A number of medications that were originally approved for treatment of depression have been found to be effective for anxiety disorder. Some of the newest are called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Each formula of SSRI is slightly different from the rest, targeting specific subclasses of serotonin. Side effects can include dry mouth, fatigue, weight gain and sexual dysfunction. A new group of antidepressants, known as seitinin-nereinephrine reuptake inhibitors, could prove to be more effective than SSRIs. The SSRIs target a second neurotransmitter, serotonin. Some of their names may sound familiar:
• Paxil
• Prozac
• Luvox
• Zoloft
• Venlafaxine
The following drugs boost levels of serotonin and norepinephrine. Common side effects include drowsiness, nausea and sexual dysfunction:
• Effexor
• Buspirone
These medications boost serotonin levels and are generally prescribed for those with social phobias. They can reduce heart palpitations, sweating, and reduce blood pressure but are not for those seeking quick relief:
• Buspar
• Beta Blockers
Tricyclics (TCA’s) are effective in blocking panic attacks. They can reduce the symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. They can also be effective in treating Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Trycyclics are antidepressants that block panic attacks, but have little effect on anticipatory anxiety such as agoraphobia; Which lessen the depression that often accompanies these anticipatory conditions. Possible side effects from this group are jitteriness, difficulty sleeping, constipation, and weight gain:
• Elavil
• Anafranil
• Tofranil
Herbs and Vitamins.
• The Natural Approach
Kava
This comes from the root of piper methysticum, a member of the pepper tree family native to the South Pacific. Kava has been proven to be effective in many long term; short-term treatment plans. Kava has a natural tranquilizing effect on the brain. It soothes the amygdala, brain's alarm system.
5-HTP
5-HTP, derived from the seed of the giffonia tree, is related to the amino acid tryptophan. It is used to treat anxiety, insomnia, depression, and other low levels of serotonin. 5HTP is a raw material the body uses to manufacture serontonin. This neurotransmitter is linked to mood. By raising the serotonin levels in the body, anxiety and depression can be relieved.
Siberian Ginseng
A root that belongs to the ginseng family of adaptogenic herbs. Such herbs help to build up one’s resistance to stress. Siberian Ginseng helps the body adapt to stress and reduce fatigue.
St John’s Wort
St John’s Wort has been used to treat anxiety and depression in Europe for twenty four hundred years. St John’s Wort enhances the activity of three neurotransmitters: Serotonin; norepinephrine; and dopamine.
"Do not take St John’s Wort if you are currently taking any prescription antidepressant, especially MOA inhibitors. If you stop taking a prescription antidepressant, wait at least four weeks before taking St John’s Wort to make sure that no interaction occurs."
Valerian
Valerian is a sedative used widely in Europe. The Chinese use it to treat nervous conditions. Its effectives is similar to benzodiazepine but without side affects.
The Powerful B’s
Vitamin B1
Commonly referred to as thiamine, it is nicknamed the “morale vitamin” because it affects mental attitude. Some of the symptoms of its deficiency are mental instability, fear and palpitations.
Vitamin B2
Known as riboflavin, and is a water-soluble vitamin that is easily absorbed through the small intestines. It plays an important part in any chemical reaction in the body. B2 deficiency symptoms are as follow: eye burning, shiny tongue, grit in eyes.
Vitamin B5
Pantothenic acid, or vitamin B5, is very helpful when one is under stress. It has a beneficial effect on the adrenal glands.
Vitamin B6
It may have the greatest effect on the immune system of all the B vitamins. A lack of B6 will decrease the size of the thymus, which is the gland that produces T-cells. A low T-cell count will render the body dangerously vulnerable to infections.
Vitamin B12
Used to form oxygen-carrying red blood cells, which are needed to prevent mental distraction, fatigue and low energy.
Warning!
Any person suffering from stress and anxiety should consult a doctor, counselor or naturopathic specialist before deciding what type of oral regiment to take. Even natural products can be harmful in the wrong dosage.
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