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Approximately 40 million adults over the age of 18 in the United States suffer from an anxiety disorder.
If you\’re part of this group, you know how hard it can be to find the right treatment plan for your anxiety.
For many people, anti-anxiety medication is a great tool for managing their anxiety. If you\’re on the fence about medication or are unsure of whether or not it\’s right for you, keep reading.
Listed below are seven signs that medication could help ease your anxiety.
How Anti-Anxiety Medication Works
There are many different types of medication that your doctor may prescribe you, and they all work in different ways.
Below is a basic explanation of some of the most frequently prescribed anti-anxiety drugs:
Benzodiazepines: These help ease muscle tension and promote relaxation
Beta-blockers: These slow heart rate and reduce blood pressure
Buspirone: This is a long-term treatment option that is less sedating than benzodiazepines
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors: These increase the availability of serotonin to improve mood
Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs): These increase the availability of serotonin and norepinephrine to improve mood
It can take time to find the right type of medication for your particular symptoms. You may need to try several different types and dosages to find an option that works well for you.
Signs You Can Benefit from Anti-Anxiety Medication
If you\’re experiencing any of the following issues, you might be able to benefit from taking anti-anxiety medication.
1. Your Physical Health is Suffering
It\’s not at all uncommon for anxiety to take a toll on your physical health. When left unmanaged, anxiety can manifest itself in a variety of ways, including the following:
Heart palpitations
Breathing difficulties
Stomach pain
Nausea
Diarrhea
Headaches and migraines
Joint or muscle pain
If you\’re dealing with any of these conditions and haven\’t found relief from other remedies, you might be able to benefit from anti-anxiety medication. It can help relieve your symptoms and significantly improve your quality of life.
2. You\’re Having Trouble with Everyday Tasks
Are you having a hard time getting through the day because of your anxiety? Do you struggle to stay focused at school, or are you unable to manage everyday tasks like going to the grocery store or preparing a meal for yourself?
If your anxiety gets in the way of everyday activities, this is a major sign that you can benefit from using medication to treat your condition.
Many medications improve your ability to focus. They can also help you quiet your mind, which gives you more space to direct your attention to other matters.
3. You\’re Struggling at Work
Having trouble at work is also a major sign that you might need anti-anxiety medication.
Whether you can\’t focus on tasks, are constantly missing deadlines, are afraid to travel for work, or can\’t communicate with clients because you\’re feeling so anxious, medication might be able to help.
When it comes to work-related anxiety, it\’s also important to make sure that your job isn\’t the source of your anxiety.
If you feel fine in other areas of your life but are struggling at work, you may want to take a step back and see if it\’s actually what is causing your problems.
4. You Can\’t Sleep
Sleep is essential for all aspects of health, including your mental health. If your mind is racing at night and you lie wide awake for hours at a time, you may need to try medication to help your body and brain get the rest they need.
Missing out on sleep can also exacerbate your anxiety, so it\’s important to find a way to get at least seven hours each night.
You\’ll be amazed at how much easier it can be to manage all your anxiety symptoms once you get your sleep in check.
5. You Have Mood Swings
Anxiety can cause a variety of strong emotions, including sadness and anger.
When you struggle with anxiety, it\’s not at all uncommon to feel sudden bursts of anger, sadness, or resentment that don\’t seem to have an identifiable cause.
If you\’re struggling with mood swings, medication can help balance things out and help you feel more at ease throughout the day.
6. You\’re Feeling Isolated
It\’s easy to feel isolated when you struggle with anxiety.
There are lots of reasons for this. Maybe you feel too anxious to go out and socialize with your friends. Or, maybe you\’ve been lashing out at people in your life and, as a result, they\’ve started to distance themselves from you.
Whatever the cause, anti-anxiety medication can help you get out of your head and feel more connected to the people in your life who matter most.
This is especially true for people who struggle with social anxiety disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder.
7. Therapy, Alone, Isn\’t Working
If you\’ve been working with a therapist for a while and aren\’t seeing improvements in your anxiety levels, it may be time to add medication to your treatment plan.
For many people, the combination of medication and cognitive-behavioral therapy from a qualified therapist is exactly what they need to start seeing real changes.
Remember, though, that medication is not a cure-all for anxiety.
Your doctor will likely recommend that you continue seeing a therapist in addition to taking medication. This is especially true if you\’re working with a functional medicine practitioner.
Talk to a Doctor about Anti-Anxiety Medication Today
Are you ready to talk to a doctor about anti-anxiety medication? Even if you\’re still on the fence about whether or not they\’re right for you, it can be helpful just to get an opinion from a professional.
If you live in the Chicagoland, Rockford, or Hanover Park areas and are interested in talking to a doctor about medication, contact us at Bliss Medicine today to set up a free consultation and see if we\’re a good fit for you.
We also offer live text consultations. If you\’re unable to meet with us in-person, you can still get the help you need from the comfort of your own home!