Anxiety

Drugs for treating anxiety

Anxiety states, accompanied by panic attacks and tearfulness, may lead to demands for constant company and reassurance.  Short periods of anxiety, for example in response to a stressful event, may be helped by a group of drugs known as benzodiazepines.  Continuous treatment in excess of two to four weeks is not advisable because dependency can occur, making it difficult to stop the medication without withdrawal symptoms.             

Side-effects

There are many different benzodiazepines, some with a short duration of action such as lorazepam and oxazepam, and some with longer action such as chlordiazepoxide and diazepam. All of these drugs may cause excessive sedation, unsteadiness, a tendency to fall, and they may worsen confusion and memory problems that are already present.

Major tranquillisers (see above) are often used for severe or persistent anxiety. If taken for long periods, these drugs can produce a side-effect called tardive dyskinesia, which is recognised by persistent involuntary chewing movements and facial grimacing. This may be irreversible, but is more likely to disappear if it is recognised early and the medication causing the problem is stopped.