Benzodiazepines Aren’t a Long-Term Answer to Anxiety, So What Is?
Restlessness, irritability, dread, panic, and fear.
Worry that inflates, overwhelms, grows until the rest of your life is squashed against the edges.
Stomach aches, insomnia, dizziness, nausea, sweating, tremors, and twitches.
These are some of the symptoms of an anxiety disorder.
Anxiety is a natural response to stress, and even though it may not seem like it when your palms are sweating and your heart is pounding before that big presentation, it is helpful. Anxiety becomes a disorder when it doesn’t stop, is too big for a situation, or kicks in for no apparent reason. There are many different types of anxiety disorders, but any of them can disrupt your life if left untreated.
Benzodiazepines (Valium, Xanax, Klonopin, Ativan) are a class of prescription drugs that can be used to quiet anxiety occasionally. They affect the central nervous system to create a feeling of calm and eliminate the symptoms of anxiety.
This sounds great, but benzos are not a long-term solution. The New England Journal of Medicine reports that if you take them daily for an extended period, they stop working and can even worsen anxiety and insomnia. Most users become dependent on benzos within a month and suffer from withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking them. These drugs can also be addictive and cause death.
Luckily there are safer ways to treat anxiety disorders.
Antidepressants: Antidepressants relieve both depression and anxiety. This is beneficial because it’s common for people to struggle with both. There are many different kinds of antidepressants and they each come with their own list of side effects, so it may take some time for you and your physician to find the one that works best for you. SSRIs and SNRIs are the most commonly prescribed.
- Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs): Serotonin helps with mood regulation, and SSRIs, like Paxil, Prozac, and Zoloft, improve your mood by increasing levels of serotonin in your brain. SSRIs can work for any type of anxiety disorder.
- Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs): SNRIs, like Cymbalta and Effexor, are similar to SSRIs, but they increase both serotonin and norepinephrine, also known as the stress hormone.
Exercise: It seems like exercise is declared the solution to everything, but it is helpful. It releases endorphins that improve your mood and can offer several hours of relief.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: CBT has proven to be effective and long-lasting. This treatment gets you actively involved in your recovery. It involves identifying and examining your thinking so you can change your behavior. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America has helpful information on CBT and other therapy options, and they have links to useful articles on finding a therapist.
Benzodiazepines aren’t a good long-term solution for treating anxiety disorders, but there are several other options. If you are currently using benzodiazepines but want to stop, be sure to consult your doctor. The withdrawal symptoms can be intense and dangerous.