Medication for anxiety in children
If a child suffers from particularly severe anxiety that cannot be overcome by therapy alone, the administration of an anxiety medication is an option. In general, anti-anxiety medications should not be used in children unless it seems absolutely necessary, because it is not known how the medication affects the immature child’s brain. Therefore, before using anti-anxiety medications for children, all other possibilities for help, such as psychotherapeutic consultations or various psychological methods of overcoming anxiety, should be exhausted.
However, if psychological discussions are not sufficient, the child can first be helped with alternative antianxiety medication. Psychotropic drugs, on the other hand, should remain the last resort and should only be used as an anxiety medication for children suffering from very severe anxiety disorders. In general, the duration of use is then usually limited to 4-6 weeks to minimize the side effects and interactions.
Medicines for anxiety and depression
Some drugs for anxiety are also effective against depression and therefore both diseases can often be treated at the same time.The so-called tricyclic antidepressants are drugs that were originally used to treat depression, but also anxiety. Other groups of active ingredients mentioned above, such as the serotonin reuptake inhibitors, are also used as drugs against anxiety and depression, as the drug generally raises the mood, which is desired both for depression and for patients with anxiety. Benzodiazepines are drugs which are usually only used in patients with anxiety, but they are also used in depressed patients, especially if the depressed patient is suffering from sleep disorders. Thus, the group of active ingredients of benzodiazepines also serves as a medication against anxiety and depression.
Medication for anxiety and restlessness
Most of the groups of active ingredients used in people with anxiety disorders are medicines for anxiety and restlessness. Most patients who suffer from severe anxiety and have a so-called anxiety disorder also suffer from anxiety and tension. Almost all of the above-mentioned groups of drugs work as antianxiety drugs, but benzodiazepines work best.
These have the property of having a calming effect. This can result in the patient becoming slightly tired throughout the day, which some people find unpleasant. Nevertheless, this group of drugs offers the best medicines for anxiety and restlessness.
