Short Term Anxiety Treatment Medication

Benzodiazepines offer short-term relief for anxiety and panic attacks.

Anxiety disorders can often result in panic attacks. There are short-term medications available to help treat panic attacks or prevent them from occurring. Anti-anxiety medications are also useful when you are approaching a phobic situation, such as flying in an airplane.

Types

Benzodiazepines are used for short-term treatment of anxiety disorders and panic attacks. Common benzodiazepines prescribed for anxiety include clonazepam (Klonopin), lorazepam (Ativan) and alprazolam (Xanax).

Benefits

Benzodiazepines work very quickly, often within 15 to 20 minutes of taking the medication. These medications can also be taken on an as-needed basis.

Side Effects

Side effects of short-term anxiety medications include drowsiness, clumsiness, slurred speech, confusion, depression, dizziness, impaired thinking and judgment, memory loss, nausea and double vision.

Considerations

Benzodiazepines can cause physical dependency. The risk increases with the amount of time you are on the medication and the higher the dose you take.

Warning

Stopping benzodiazepines abruptly---when you have been taking a scheduled dose---can cause dangerous withdrawal symptoms including panic attacks, severe anxiety and seizures.

References

• "The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook;" Edmund J. Bourne, Ph.D.; 2005
• Anxiety Medication: HelpGuide
• Mental Health Medications: National Institute of Mental Health