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Anxiety Medications
Many commonly used anxiety medications have some therapeutic value when used appropriately with certain conditions, but, most anxiety medications were developed for use in other conditions such as depression and are licensed for use with anxiety conditions probably because of a lack of other more therapeutic options.
Commonly prescribed anxiety medications do not address the part of the brain responsible for causing high anxiety and therefore have no curative, therapeutic affect. Because anxiety is a behavioural condition, the so called 'anxiety medications' available cannot and do not remove the 'habit' which drives the condition. Until a drug is developed which can change behaviours and specifically anxious behaviour, anxiety medications will never work.
Because the part of the brain that controls anxiety responses is influenced by us programming it through behaviour, anxiety medications fall short of providing that level of change. Sometimes, anxiety medication can offer sufferers a small amount of relief from the more pronounced symptoms of anxiety by having a slightly sedative affect but this should not be confused with an anxiety cure… it will not cure your anxiety disorder.
Tranquilisers are used by some medics, but these can only offer temporary relief and most are licensed for short term use only due to side effects or withdrawal problems. Tranquilisers are not an effective anxiety medication... again, they will not solve the problem, but will just assist in covering it up.
As anxiety medications, both antidepressants and tranquilisers are ineffectual. Both of these medications can also carry with them a number of unpleasant side effects and withdrawal issues. Many of the symptoms experienced by sufferers during withdrawal or as a result of using the medication can be misinterpreted by the sufferer as a worsening of their anxiety symptoms; this can cause the sufferer yet more distress and may lead to more anxiety. Often, anxiety medication withdrawal can cause the sufferer to experience what is called 'rebound anxiety', a condition marked by an increase in anxiety at the point of withdrawal.
Many medics have very limited time to review each patient and it is very often this time constraint, coupled with a general lack of knowledge which causes medics to reach for the prescription pad rather than discussing other options. Many of our clients have tried anxiety medications with very little true therapeutic affect and only very short-term improvements in anxiety levels after taking each dose.
The effectiveness of The Linden Method is not hampered by anxiety medication and we can assist clients who make the decision to withdrawal their medication. By implementing the anxiety medication withdrawal advice and working with your doctor to come off your medication in a structured way, you can withdraw medication with little or no ill effects.
Benzodiazepines as anxiety medication
Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium etc) are the widest used anxiety medications, followed by chlordiazepoxide (Librium, Librax), Clonazepam (Klonopin), Benzodiazepines reach the blood stream quickly producing immediate relief, but it is short lived and offers no permanent relief from your anxiety condition.
Drowsiness, lack of coordination, fatigue, and confusion are all well documented and common side effects of taking these anxiety medications. Alcohol and many other medications must be avoided whilst taking Benzodiazepines.
Benzodiazepines can be very addictive. Many people have abused benzodiazepines and become very dependent on them indeed. Practitioners are provided with strict guidelines on the recommended dose and for how long they should be prescribed, however, many practitioners chose to ignore these guidelines, leading their clients unwittingly into a withdrawal/side effects trap. Benzodiazepine use should be limited to days or a maximum of just a couple of weeks.
Withdrawal symptoms experienced include; shakiness, headaches, dizziness, insomnia, loss of appetite and even, fever, psychosis and seizures.
Our Linden Method programme offers a structured program of gradual withdrawal which will assist you in avoiding or minimizing withdrawal symptoms and rebound anxiety.
Other Anxiety Medications
Benzodiazepines are commonly used as 'anxiety first aid' by doctors and alternative medications such as Buspar (buspirone), beta-blockers (propranolol, atenolol), Neurontin (Gabapentin), tricyclic antidepressants SSRIs and MAOIs are also often prescribed.
Buspar is a drug commonly prescribed for generalized anxiety disorders. Buspar has a chemical makeup similar to some of the antidepressants. Beta-blockers are used mostly as a treatment for heart conditions (such as high blood pressure), but are also prescribed for anxiety as they regulate the heart rate. Beta-blockers can produce many side effects and many of our clients have mentioned depressive thoughts and weight gain as the more common ones. Anti-depressants such as tricyclics, SSRIs and MAOIs are also very commonly prescribed as anxiety medications.
So, is there such a thing as a truly therapeutic anxiety medication?
The short answer is NO, there is no such thing as a curative anxiety medication.
If you had diarrhea that caused stomach pain and I gave you a medication that took the pain away, would the diarrhea be cured? NO. Similarly, anxiety medications can offer a temporary relief from SOME symptoms, but the bottom line is, the anxiety disorder is still there and will be until you address it directly and correctly.
The solution to anxiety disorder will surprise you. It is simple, fast and permanent an doesn't involve anxiety medication.
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- The Linden Method Manual - Simple to read, understand and implement
- The Linden Method Audio - Powerful, relaxing sound tracks
- The Linden Method Video - Targeted anxiety relief and reassurance
- Advice and support from qualified and experienced specialists
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