Medication for Anxiety Disorders: Usage and Implications in Mission Viejo, CA
Table of Contents
Understanding Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health disorder that impacts Americans each day. Approximately 40 million Americans over the age of 18 are currently living with a form of anxiety disorder. While the number of people living with anxiety disorders can seem daunting, the good news is there are effective measures of treatment available that can help someone overcome the side effects and symptoms and live a healthy, enriching lifestyle that is free of the significant impacts of anxiety disorders. Anxiety Medication in Mission Viejo can allow those living with an anxiety disorder to live a normal life.
There are different forms of anxiety disorder characterized by different triggers or symptoms. Each specific form of anxiety disorder will benefit from various evidence-based therapy methods and specific medications. Anxiety disorders include the following types:
Generalized anxiety disorder: This form of anxiety is characterized by a persistent, ongoing feeling of anxiety or dread that interferes with your ability to maintain your daily life and responsibilities. Symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder include:
- Feeling constantly on edge, restless, or wound up.
- Experiencing difficulty concentrating.
- Irritability.
- Inability to control feelings of worry.
- Becoming easily fatigued.
- Having sleep problems or inconsistencies.
- Having unexplained aches or pains in your body.
Panic disorder: This type of anxiety disorder causes someone to experience frequent or unexpected panic attacks. This often leads people with panic disorder to have constant worry when they aren’t experiencing panic attacks for when the next one will occur and, as a result, people will avoid going out and entering certain situations to try and reduce the possibility of having another panic attack. Symptoms of panic disorder, specifically when you experience panic attacks, are:
- Excessive sweating.
- Trembling.
- Increased heart rate or pounding heartbeat.
- Chest pain.
- Feelings of impending danger or doom.
- Feeling as though you aren’t in control.
Social anxiety disorder: People living with a social anxiety disorder will feel immense feelings of fear or worry about entering into social situations. They often feel as though they are being watched or judged by others leading to consistent worry or fear of interacting with others. This can create significant impacts on a person’s life and ability to maintain work, school, family, or social commitments. Symptoms of social anxiety disorder can include:
- Racing or pounding heartbeat.
- Stomach aches or pains.
- Sweating.
- Trembling.
- Struggling to make eye contact with others.
- Rigid body posture.
- Speaking in a light-toned voice or overly shy demeanor.
- Difficulty being around people that you don’t know.
- Feeling self-conscious around others.
- Concerns of being judged by others or having negative perceptions from others.
Separation anxiety disorder: This type of anxiety disorder is commonly thought of only impacting children, however, adults can experience it as well. Anxiety medication in Mission Viejo is crucial as people with social anxiety disorder fear being apart from those they are close to. The symptoms of separation anxiety disorder can include:
- Fear of something bad happening to their loved ones when they aren’t with them.
- Avoid being alone or away from loved ones.
- Experiencing feelings of illness or being unwell when separation occurs.
- Having nightmares or bad dreams about separating from loved ones.
Phobia disorders: The types of phobia disorders are broken down into different categories: agoraphobia, social phobia, and specific phobias. Each phobia disorder is characterized by an intense fear of an object, situation, person, animal, or natural event. This impending fear impacts a person’s daily life and can cause someone to avoid leaving the home in an attempt to avoid contact with their phobia. Symptoms of phobia disorder can include:
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Sweating.
- Fear of losing control or dying.
- Having intense feelings of dread.
- Panic attacks.
- Intense or overwhelming sense of fear.
- Feeling disconnected from your own body.
- Having a feeling of needing to escape.
The Role of Medication in Treating Anxiety Disorders
While there are many treatment options available for anxiety disorders, especially in Inpatient Mental Health Treatment Centers Near Long Beach, one prevalent method is anxiety medication. The numerous benefits of such medications make them an invaluable tool in treatment for many who grapple with these disorders.
Benefits of Anxiety Medication
Medication can be a common form of anxiety treatment that helps to reduce the severity of symptoms from your anxiety disorders and support you in maintaining your daily life. Taking medication can offer several benefits to managing your anxiety disorder and your overall health and well-being:
- Reduce the feelings of anxiety or worry.
- Help minimize or eliminate the onset of panic attacks.
- Regulation of emotions.
- Reduce physical symptoms of anxiety.
- Increased energy.
- Improved sleep quality.
- Better communication and focus.
- Reduce stress.
Potential Risks and Side Effects of Anxiety Medication
Each anxiety medication in Mission Viejo will have different impacts on a person and has its own unique potential side effects. It’s important when you begin taking medication for anxiety that you speak with your physician and discuss the potential risks or side effects associated with the medication that you are taking. Some of the common side effects and potential risks that can be associated with taking anxiety medications can include:
- Sleep problems.
- Drowsiness or fatigue.
- Headaches.
- Nausea.
- Weight changes.
- Feeling restless or agitated.
- Changes in appetite.
- Stomach aches.
- Sexual problems.
- Low blood pressure.
- Excessive sweating.
- Changes in memory.
- Inability to concentrate.
- Problems with balance or coordination.
- Fatigue.
Types of Medication Used for Anxiety Disorders
There are three main forms of medications used for the treatment of anxiety disorders:
- Benzodiazepines/anti-anxiety medications: These medications help to reduce the symptoms of anxiety, panic attacks, or extreme worry and fear. These medications are intended for short-term use as there is potential for misuse with these medications. Taking benzodiazepines will provide a calming effect within your brain, helping to keep you calm and regulated so you don’t feel the onset of symptoms of anxiety.
- Antidepressants: These medications are also known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These medications increase the serotonin levels in your brain which can improve your mood and lower levels of anxiety.
- Beta-blockers: These medications are an effective method for treating the physical symptoms of anxiety disorders, reducing the symptoms of acute anxiety, and preventing predictable forms of performance anxiety.
Usage of Anxiety Medication in Mission Viejo, CA
Like other cities in California and across the United States, many people who live in Mission Viejo suffer from the effects of anxiety disorders. That’s why some common anti-anxiety medication options on the market are often prescribed for people here who want to treat their anxiety and gain the tools to live a better life.
Local Mental Health Resources in Mission Viejo, CA
Anxiety medication is an effective form of treatment for anxiety disorders. To enhance the effectiveness of your inpatient mental health treatment, you must receive additional treatment through a mental health program or clinician. Mission Viejo residents seeking anxiety disorder treatment can access several local mental health resources and programs that will complement the effectiveness of their medication to assist them in safely managing the symptoms of their anxiety disorder.
Alter Behavioral Health Irvine has an experienced and knowledgeable team of mental health practitioners that can provide you with comprehensive treatment programs that include evidence-based therapy methods, holistic healing practices, and medications when needed. Suppose you require additional mental health treatment after receiving treatment within our recovery center. In that case, our team can connect you to individual mental health therapists, support groups, group therapy programs, and local helplines that are available to give you the guidance and support you may need to manage your symptoms of anxiety disorder.
Navigating the Health Care System in Mission Viejo, CA
Once you’ve decided to seek out treatment for your anxiety disorder, there are often questions or concerns about how to navigate the healthcare system. At Alter Behavioral Health, we understand that navigating the larger healthcare system can feel overwhelming if you have never had to do so in the past. We’ll work with you to contact your insurance providers to verify your insurance coverage. Once we gain an understanding of your specific insurance plan, we can help you claim the most range to minimize the costs associated with your treatment program.
Our team is committed to helping you find appropriate mental health support for the short and long term. We’ll gain an understanding of your specific circumstances with anxiety disorder and ensure that you’re given the proper mental health resources within the healthcare system to support you during treatment and after the completion of your mental health program.
Implications of Anxiety Medication Usage
While there are safe, effective medication options now available to help people living with anxiety and anxiety disorders, it’s important to know about the limitations of medication — including possible side effects — before getting started on any new treatment path.
Understanding Side Effects and How to Manage Them
Taking anxiety medication in Mission Viejo can aid in relieving the severity of your anxiety symptoms and can be a beneficial tool in managing your anxiety disorder. Like any other medications, there is potential for you to experience side effects, this can be normal for medications but you must take the time to understand the potential side effects and how to effectively manage them.
Each medication has its list of side effects to be mindful of. Before taking any medications for anxiety disorder, you should become familiar with the potential side effects associated with that specific prescription medication. Your doctor can provide you with a list of potential side effects of the medication that you’re taking. If you experience side effects, you mustn’t abruptly end your use of medication or change the dose on your own as it can cause your side effects to worsen. When you experience side effects, the best course of action is to speak to a healthcare professional who can advise you on the next steps to manage and overcome medication side effects safely.
Risk of Dependence and How to Avoid It
Certain medications for anxiety disorder have a higher risk potential of developing a dependence to such as benzodiazepines. The risk for dependency becomes higher when you take benzodiazepines for a long period which is why patients prescribed benzodiazepines are informed to use the medication for short periods to provide quick-acting relief for symptoms of anxiety.
To avoid dependency, patients should only take medications for the short period their physician tells them to take them. When you end your use of benzodiazepines, patients are often encouraged to do a slow tapering-off process that allows your body to slowly release any potential dependency formed and ensure that you don’t experience any significant side effects. Call Alter Behavioral Health at 866-205-1207 to make an appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Medication for Anxiety Disorders: Usage and Implications in Mission Viejo, CA
What types of medication are commonly used for treating anxiety disorders in Mission Viejo, CA?
The medications that are commonly used for anxiety treatment are:
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs):
- Zoloft.
- Citalopram.
- Prozac.
- Lexapro.
- Paxil.
- Benzodiazepines:
- Xanax.
- Librium.
- Valium.
- Ativan.
- Buspirone.
- Beta-blockers.
How does anxiety medication work, and what are its potential benefits and risks?
Anxiety medication works by balancing the neurotransmitters in your brain allowing you to regulate your moods and reduce the symptoms of anxiety. Taking medication for anxiety can help to minimize the onset of symptoms for anxiety, improve your sleep quality, increase your energy and focus, and reduce any feelings of stress. Any prescription medications can have risks associated with them. Anxiety medications can have the potential of creating physical and psychological side effects and, in some cases, cause you to develop a dependency on the prescription medication.
Are there specific local resources in Mission Viejo, CA, to help manage medication usage for anxiety disorders?
Yes, Alter Behavioral Health has medical staff on our team that can assess your medication usage for anxiety disorders. We can provide you with referrals for specific doctors that can complete medication management therapy to ensure that you remain safe throughout your time using prescription medication.
How can one manage the potential side effects of anxiety medication?
If you’re experiencing side effects from anxiety medication, you can speak with a healthcare provider or your family physician to discuss the side effects you’re experiencing. There are methods you can take to minimize the onset of side effects or manage the presence of side effects such as eating smaller but more frequent meals, drinking enough water, or taking your medications with food.
Is there a risk of dependence on anxiety medication, and how can it be avoided?
Yes, there can be a risk of dependence on certain anxiety medications. To avoid dependence, you must take the medication as prescribed by your doctor. When you end your use of anxiety medication, you may be required to complete a slow tapering-off process that allows your body and mind to safely adjust to functioning without the use of anxiety medications.
Are there any specific considerations for using anxiety medication in Mission Viejo, CA?
If you’re considering using anxiety medications, it’s important to consider if there are any negative interactions with any other medication or herbal supplements that you’re currently taking. Speak with your doctor who can ensure that your medications will be safe to use and provide you with the necessary information on what time of day to take the medications if you should take them with food, and any other pertinent information for safe, effective medication usage.
Besides medication, what other treatment options are available for managing anxiety disorders in Mission Viejo, CA?
When you’re using anxiety medications, it’s recommended that you complete other methods of anxiety treatment such as evidence-based therapy methods and holistic therapies. You can participate in a variety of treatment programs such as support groups, group therapy programs, or individual counseling that will help you learn natural methods of managing your anxiety and regulating your emotions.
