Stress Medication And Their Side Effects

Stress is a part of life, sometimes an unavoidable part of life, with some individuals reacting more negatively to stress factors than others.

Depending on the kind of stress one has and its severity, physicians may prescribe different kinds of medications for alleviating the negative effects of stress including sedatives, antidepressants and/or beta-blockers.

Before resorting to stress medications it is important to explore the restorative possibilities of physical exercise, engaging in sporting activity, cognitive treatment, holistic cures, etc.

Each person reacts differently to stress medication and may report different side effects. The side effects of some stress medications are known and some aren’t, however when any are experienced they must be reported to the doctor at once and when dealing with this class of medications, it is important never to self medicate.

It is generally recommended that the duration of taking stress medication should be between 3 and 6 months so that long term use does not cause side effects.

Antidepressant medications can often be used to treat stress and include medications such as Prozac, Paxil, Lexpro etc. These are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) which help a person deal with anxiety and stress.

These medications are associated with various side effects such as sleep disturbances, dryness of the mouth, nausea, sexual problems etc. Prozac has also recently been linked to suicidal tendencies.

Sedative or Central Nervous System medication causes the brain to relax; it induces lessening in feelings of anxiety and tension. It calms a person down to the extent that it induces sleep and slower breathing as well.

Overdose can be lethal however within prescribed dosage; these drugs are safe in terms of their lethal potential. They can cause side effects like lowering reflexes and displaying poor judgement, even unclear sleep and impaired ability to walk.

The main problem with sedatives is that they can be addictive and a person may develop a dependence upon them. Withdrawal symptoms may include restlessness, sleeplessness and more severe complications.

Beta Blockers are usually medications prescribed for hypertension and certain heart ailments; however they are also prescribed for lowering stress.

These can cause side effects such as feelings of tiredness, cold hands, and sleep disturbances and nightmares. Less often, these can cause impotence, digestive problems, dryness of the eyes, rashes, dizziness and wheezing.

It is important to keep a sharp eye out for these and other symptoms when taking stress medications and to report them.