Surviving John

An intense panic attack is usually followed by the administration of anti anxiety medicaltion to prevent other similar episodes. However, tranquilizers represent just a temporary relief method that can only be used in perfect safety for a very short period of time, due to the high risk of side effects. Here are some of the unpleasant and sometimes paradoxical adverse reactions triggered by anti-anxiety medication in general. While the main benefit from their use is the state of calm and relaxation, sometimes drugs can relax you to the extent that you feel drowsy all the time.

Slow reflexes, poor coordination and fatigue are the anti-anxiety medication side effects resulting from the drugs blocking some specific chemical secretion in the brain. Some people have even reported dizziness, confusion, disorientation and impaired thinking, not to mention the impossibility to operate machines and drive. The extensive use of anti-anxiety medication can also cause depression in very severe forms that push one on the verge of suicide. Drugs do eliminate the anxiety discomfort, but they also make it impossible for the sufferer to experience pain or pleasure thus affecting the quality of life in very many ways.

Some reactions to anti-anxiety medication are truly paradoxical. For instance, the use of tranquilizers aims at inducing relaxation and calm, but in certain cases drugs can increase the agitation and the irritability level. Plus, mania, hostility and even rage have been noticed in some cases. The severest forms of side effects include hallucinations and aggressive behaviors, which, although rare, remain very dangerous. The majority of peculiar reactions to anti-anxiety drugs has been reported with children or the elderly, as well as with people that suffer from some developmental disabilities.

Therefore, the choice of the treatment to stop anxiety attacks requires utmost care and it usually involves the use of a complementary therapy rather than the administration of drugs. Anti-anxiety medication only eliminates or alleviates symptoms without improving the health condition in any way. The factor or the problem that generates the panic attacks is still there, somehow kept under control, and once the medical treatment is discontinued, you’re likely to experience anxiety all over again. Therefore, the therapeutic efforts should be directed towards attacking anxiety and depression by identifying and eliminating the cause and not merely treating the unpleasant symptoms of anxiety.