Pros and Cons of Anti-Anxiety Medications

Anxiety medications have become so popular that many doctors are now prescribing them to help patients deal with everything from stress to panic attack symptoms. Despite their popularity, however, anti-anxiety medications have both positive and negative effects to be considered.

Facts

Anti-anxiety medications are convenient and quick-acting, making them a great way to treat stress and panic attacks with just a single pill a day.

Effects

While there may be other, more natural ways to relieve anxiety, anti-anxiety medications are highly effective, sometimes producing a result in as little as 15 minutes.

Function

Most anti-anxiety medications just mask symptoms, rather than treating the root of the problem, which means they have to be taken continuously for the effects to be maintained.

Warning

Many anti-anxiety medications have unpleasant side effects, which can vary from simple heartburn and headaches to nausea, insomnia or heart palpitations, depending on the tolerance level of the patient.

Expert Insight

Because anti-anxiety medications are only meant to be a temporary solution, those who take them on a regular basis may eventually build up a tolerance to them, causing the medication to work less effectively and forcing doctors to prescribe a higher dose.