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Suggest Remedies For Severe Anxiety

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Posted on Mon, 21 Nov 2016
Question: What anxiety Meds are available that aren't addictive or make you zone out or become foggy? Something that takes the edge of of tension daily.
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Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (19 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Information.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,

I think the type of anti-anxiety meds you are thinking of that make you zone out or become foggy are the benzodiazepines. This class of medicine includes lorazepam (Ativan), alprazolam (Xanax) and Valium. Benzodiazepines are short acting sedatives that have anti anxiety effects.

If the anxiety you have been experiencing is ongoing, you may want to consider an SSRI antidepressant. These also work for anxiety. An SSRI with one of the lowest side effect profiles and earliest onsets of action is Lexapro (escitalopram). It can take 2-4 weeks to kick in and have XXXXXXX benefit, but some patients report that it has helped them sooner than that. It does not alter consciousness the way benzodiazepines can.

Another non sedating choice - for anxiety only - is buspirone (Buspar). Again, this takes a few weeks to see maximal benefit.

Regular exercise, meditation and mindfulness practices, and working with a psychologist can also help.

Please let me know if I can provide further information. I hope this helps.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1991

Answered : 3134 Questions

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Suggest Remedies For Severe Anxiety

Brief Answer: Information. Detailed Answer: Hello and welcome, I think the type of anti-anxiety meds you are thinking of that make you zone out or become foggy are the benzodiazepines. This class of medicine includes lorazepam (Ativan), alprazolam (Xanax) and Valium. Benzodiazepines are short acting sedatives that have anti anxiety effects. If the anxiety you have been experiencing is ongoing, you may want to consider an SSRI antidepressant. These also work for anxiety. An SSRI with one of the lowest side effect profiles and earliest onsets of action is Lexapro (escitalopram). It can take 2-4 weeks to kick in and have XXXXXXX benefit, but some patients report that it has helped them sooner than that. It does not alter consciousness the way benzodiazepines can. Another non sedating choice - for anxiety only - is buspirone (Buspar). Again, this takes a few weeks to see maximal benefit. Regular exercise, meditation and mindfulness practices, and working with a psychologist can also help. Please let me know if I can provide further information. I hope this helps.