Let’s face it, nobody likes to feel anxious and stressed out all the time. Unfortunately, anxiety and stress are a very common part of life for most people.
Everyone experiences some level of stress or anxiety in their life from time to time, but for some people it can become a debilitating problem.
For some people, these feelings of uneasiness are so bad that they require medication to keep them under control. If you struggle with an overwhelming fear of social interaction, general anxiety, panic attacks, agoraphobia, or any other similar issues then you might be interested in learning more about what Xanax is and if it could be right for you.
Keep reading to find out everything you’ve ever wanted to know about what xanax is and if it will help you manage your anxiety symptoms.
Table of Contents
What is Xanax?
Xanax is the brand name for the drug Alprazolam, which is a type of drug known as an anxiolytic drug. These drugs are used to help people who are experiencing a high level of anxiety or social phobia to calm down, relax and feel more at ease.
There is a wide variety of anxiolytic drugs available, depending on the specific issue you are trying to treat, but Xanax is one of the most common and popular choices.
Xanax is a prescription medication that is used to help with anxiety-related symptoms, including panic attacks and general feelings of anxiety.
If you suffer from an anxiety disorder and are not getting enough relief from therapy and other non-medical methods, you may want to talk to your doctor about the possibility of taking Xanax.
How Does It Work?
Xanax is a benzodiazepine drug, meaning it works by altering the way that your brain functions to produce a calming effect. It does this by increasing the amount of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) in your brain.
GABA is a neurotransmitter that helps your brain regulate things like your mood and inhibitions. By increasing the amount of GABA in your brain, benzodiazepines like Xanax allow your brain to relax and feel less anxious.
Xanax can also be used to treat insomnia, panic disorder, aggressive outbursts (such as in people diagnosed with borderline personality disorder), and generalized anxiety disorder.
Benzodiazepines like Xanax are often prescribed to people who have anxiety disorders because they are effective at managing severe cases of anxiety and panic without the need for therapy.
When Should You Take Xanax?
You suffer from an anxiety disorder and are not getting enough relief from therapy and other non-medical methods
Xanax is used to treat many types of anxiety disorders, such as general anxiety disorder, panic disorder, agoraphobia, and social phobia. If you suffer from one of these disorders and are not getting enough relief from therapy and other non-medical methods, you may want to talk to your doctor about the possibility of taking Xanax.
It is important to note, however, that benzodiazepines like Xanax are not the best long-term solution for managing anxiety. While they are effective at managing symptoms in the short-term, they do not provide any lasting benefits or change in your brain chemistry.
You are experiencing a short-term medical condition that causes anxiety
Xanax is also sometimes prescribed for short-term anxiety episodes related to medical conditions like end-stage cancer, coronary artery disease, or panic attacks. These anxiety episodes may be accompanied by other symptoms, such as shortness of breath or chest pain, and will usually clear up once the condition is treated.
Side Effects of Xanax
- Slurred speech: This is a common side effect at higher doses.
- Dizziness: Dizziness is another common side effect of taking Xanax.
- Changes in vision: Some people experience vision changes while taking Xanax, including blurred vision, sensitivity to light, or a yellow tint to their vision.
- Loss of coordination: This can make driving or doing other activities that require coordination difficult or dangerous.
- Difficulty sleeping: While some people will experience relief from anxiety as they fall asleep, others will experience anxiety that doesn’t fully go away until the next day.
- Loss of sexual arousal and/or desire: Taking Xanax can cause some people to experience a lack of sexual desire and difficulty achieving an erection or orgasm.
- Nausea: Nausea is a fairly common side effect of taking Xanax.
Will Xanax Help With Anxiety?
As we discussed above, Xanax is often prescribed as a short-term solution for anxiety.
However, many people use it long-term and end up developing a dependency on the drug.
- If you use Xanax for a short period of time, you have a significantly increased risk of developing a dependence on the drug. If you use it for a long period, you have an even higher risk of dependence.
- Benzodiazepines like Xanax are highly addictive because they create a false sense of relaxation in your brain. Over time, your brain will begin to crave that feeling of relaxation and you’ll experience anxiety if you go without the drug.
- Taking benzodiazepines like Xanax long-term can be very dangerous and should be avoided at all costs. If you are currently using Xanax to treat your anxiety and are worried that you might develop a dependency on the drug, talk to your doctor about your options.
- There are several non-medication based treatments for anxiety, including therapy and mindfulness, that are proven to be effective long-term solutions.
- Taking Xanax for a short period of time will likely provide you with some relief from your anxiety symptoms, but it will not change the way that your brain responds to things when you are not taking the drug.
Conclusion
Xanax is a benzodiazepine drug used to treat anxiety disorders. It is most commonly prescribed as a short-term solution for acute anxiety, but many people use it long-term and end up developing a dependency on the drug.
Xanax works by increasing the amount of GABA in your brain, which allows your brain to relax and feel less anxious.
Long-term use of Xanax can be dangerous, especially if you are taking a high dose. If you are currently experiencing significant anxiety, you should talk to your doctor about the possibility of being prescribed Xanax.
