Is taking anti-anxiety medication bad for you?

According to a report in the 2010 Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, people who use anti-anxiety medication have a 36 percent increased mortality risk. That means persons using these drugs are almost 40 percent more likely to die than people who do not use them.

Can anxiety meds make things worse?

More than 100 million people worldwide take selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as Prozac and Zoloft, to treat depression, anxiety and related conditions, but these drugs have a common and mysterious side effect: they can worsen anxiety in the first few weeks of use, which leads many patients to stop …

Are anti-anxiety meds worth it?

If you have severe anxiety that’s interfering with your ability to function, medication may be helpful—especially as a short-term treatment. However, many people use anti-anxiety medication when therapy, exercise, or other self-help strategies would work just as well or better, minus the drawbacks.

Do antidepressants ruin your brain?

We know that antipsychotics shrink the brain in a dose-dependent manner (4) and benzodiazepines, antidepressants and ADHD drugs also seem to cause permanent brain damage (5).

Can anxiety go away by itself?

Because anxiety can have such a serious impact on health, it’s important to get help. Mild anxiety may go away on its own or after the event causing the anxiety is over, but chronic anxiety often persists and may get worse.

What are the side effects of anti-anxiety medications?

Side effects are unintended adverse consequences associated with taking medication. In the case of anti-anxiety medications, side effects can range from an upset stomach to confusion, and from muscle weakness to sexual dysfunction. There are logical reasons for side effects.

Are anti anxiety medications addictive?

For example, many anti anxiety drugs are extremely addictive, not just a little bit habit-forming. In other words, you might find yourself becoming more and more dependent on the drug over time, and unable to function properly without it. The risk of drug dependency is even higher because most anti anxiety medications only have short-term effects.

How long should you take anti-anxiety medications?

Some medications aren’t intended to be used for more than several weeks. Other medications must be taken for a long time to maintain their results. 4 And when some anti-anxiety medications are discontinued, problems with anxiety often return. Some medications cannot be stopped abruptly and must be tapered off to prevent severe withdrawal symptoms.

How to tell the truth behind medication for anxiety?

The truth behind medication for anxiety 1 An important issue you should discuss is whether you’re using… 2 Medication Side Effects. No discussion of medication with your doctor is complete… 3 Categories of Anti-anxiety Medications. Each kind of medication attempts to reduce anxiety in… 4 Review Your Medications. So,…