Everyone has their anxious and panicky moments, which are a natural and human occurrence. Sometimes these anxiety levels can get a little high, creating stress and interfering with your activities and even your sleep. Lots of these distress moments can be decreased by finding out the underlying causes and nipping it in the bud. Maybe your job is a little too much for you, and you cannot seem to have enough time to relax or sleep; finding a new and better job could alleviate your stress and anxiety.
Unfortunately, for other people, the underlying causes of their anxiety and depression stems from a problem that is mentally ingrained. Studies show that more people have anxiety disorders and variations of depression; some of which are genetic while others simply develop after going for years unchecked.
With modern medical care creating more awareness about mental health and coming up with ways to help you deal with your condition, do not suffer in silence afraid of the stigma or assuming that your situation is normal and that everyone is going through it. Everyone is not going through it, and the best way to put your health first is by talking to your doctor and determining the state of your mental health.
If your occasional anxiety and sleep apnea are present after making the necessary changes in your life, your doctor can decide to put you into talk therapy. Here you can talk about your issues and to vent and find solutions to your problems from an experienced point of view. Another method involves the use of antidepressants for other situations. For anxiety and panic attacks, a common class of medication used to offer relief includes ‘benzodiazepines.’
What Are Benzodiazepines?
Benzodiazepines consist of drugs that are anti-anxiety agents. Some of them are fast-acting, and others take a while to get into your body and do their work. Common ‘benzos’ include Valium (diazepam), Ativan (lorazepam), Librium, and Klonopin. The two most popular of these are Valium and Xanax.
Antidepressant prescriptions are mostly for more chronic illnesses such as clinical depression. Meaning, if you have been dealing with stress and depression that doesn’t seem to be leaving, your doctor may decide to go with antidepressants. Also, they can help in chronic anxiety cases; where anxiety levels are more than usual and have affected the patient’s social and mental wellbeing.
Benzodiazepines are a bit more potent; which is what makes them prone to addiction than antidepressants. Your prescription for Xanax or Valium is mainly intended to help you feel better for a couple of months and even less if your anxiety levels or sleep-related issues are not severe. Xanax, for example, is highly potent that you can experience Xanax withdrawal in between your doses!
Though very quick-acting and effective, your doctor will probably try other solutions before putting you on benzodiazepines. From appropriate diet changes, relaxation and meditation techniques, to other less potent medication, it is always a good idea to attempt other non-medicated options before going the ‘benzo’ way.
Though Valium is a popular go-to for anxiety relief as it was decades ago, Xanax has been taking over as a quick choice for tension and stress relief. Why? Xanax works quite fast because of its short half-life. This means that Xanax calms your anxiety and gives you near-instant relief, but it also leaves your body as quickly. Once it leaves your body, it leaves you feeling jittery and craving more – which can make it easily addictive.
Valium, on the other hand, stays in your body a little longer. Though not as addictive as Xanax, prolonged use can encourage addiction since it also gets you used to less anxiety while you are on it. Being on either of these drugs for an extended period can cause Valium or Xanax withdrawal symptoms if you attempt to stop taking the medication suddenly. The only way to get out of serious dependence or addiction is by going through Valium or Xanax detox that involves getting the drug completely out of your system.
Xanax and Valium are both effective in treating anxiety, but they have a few other specifications to them. Your doctor can determine which one is best for you depending on your medical history, your symptoms and the present condition with which you need help. Xanax prescriptions can treat panic disorders while Valium is an effective treatment for muscle spasms, chronic sleep disorders, seizures, and for patients undergoing serious alcohol withdrawal.
Side Effects And Withdrawal
For ease of panic disorders, general anxiety or anxiety brought on by depression, Xanax and Valium act similarly as tranquilizers. Your brain produces a neurotransmitter called GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) that is responsible for sending signals all over your body. A low count or slow activity of GABA is responsible for sparking anxiety in you. These two drugs encourage more GABA activity, thus reducing anxiety – a major reason why you experience Valium or Xanax withdrawal if suddenly cut off their intake.
Any drug that targets changing the brain and how it carries out its normal functions is bound to create side effects – both negative and positive. With the less anxiety, you may experience drowsiness, light-headedness, poor coordination, and balance and well as confusion. Due to this, doctors recommend avoiding the operation of dangerous equipment or driving after taking any of these drugs.
Once you are off the medication, mild Valium and Xanax withdrawal symptoms may include (and not be limited to) insomnia, increased anxiety, and irritability while severe withdrawal symptoms can include suicidal thoughts, panic attacks, and seizures. If you think you think you need help with an addiction to Valium or Xanax you might want to enter a drug rehab program in San Francisco.
Overview
Anxiety and mental problems are a burden that can feel too heavy to deal with on your own, encouraging self-medication. Instead of taking a risk and prescribing your own dose based on other people’s experiences, it is a wise choice to talk to a doctor or a therapist since they have better experience and education on mental health. If your anxiety has gotten out of hand you may want to consider talking to a therapist online or near you. If you are going through Valium or Xanax addiction, your doctor will help you find the best Valium or Xanax detox method to get you back to health and on your feet.
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