Anxiety is part of our natural "fight-or-flight" response. Anxiety attacks, also called panic attacks, are unexpected episodes of intense terror or fear. Anxiety attacks usually come without warning, and although the fear is generally irrational, the perceived danger is very real.

Symptoms of an anxiety attack include:

- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Nausea or stomach distress
- Palpitations or pounding heart
- Fear of losing control or going crazy
- Hot or cold flashes
- Trembling or shaking
- Dizziness

Because of the many physical symptoms involved in anxiety disorders, anxiety sufferers often mistakenly believe they have a medical illness.

The use of medication is just one of the many treatment options available to manage the symptoms of anxiety disorders. These medications can be effective in controlling and alleviating the symptoms of anxiety, but not all medications might resolve all of the symptoms of your anxiety disorder.

Medications will only work if they are taken in the appropriate manner, following the explicit instructions given by your physician. Patients should not stop taking their medication abruptly without their doctor's supervision since this may worsen symptoms. If medications are discontinued abruptly, symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, headache, and behavioral changes may occur. Severity of symptoms will determine whether medications are started at the beginning of treatment at the same time as psychotherapy, or added later if symptoms do not improve with psychotherapy alone.

Many different types of medications are used in the treatment of anxiety disorders, including traditional anti-anxiety drugs, antidepressants, and beta-blockers. Medication can be very useful in treating anxiety disorders and is often used in combination with other forms of therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy.

This includes any prescribed medications, over-the-counter medications, herbal or dietary supplements and vitamins. Your pharmacist is another great source of information on medications and over-the-counter products if you still have questions. Rarely, medications commonly prescribed for anxiety disorders will require blood monitoring through regular blood draws.

Anxiety medications may also cause unpleasant and unwanted side effects. It is important to learn about the common side effects of the anxiety medication you are considering taking these medications. The most commonly reported physical side effects include headache, stomachache or nausea, and sleep difficulties.

For any anxiety medications, you will have to weigh the side effects against the benefits. The more you know about the anxiety medication you are taking, the better equipped you'll be to identify side effects and avoid dangerous drug interactions.

Once A Severe Anxiety Sufferer Himself, Mark Tenordi Decided To Find Real & Effective Ways To Cure His Anxiety Problems Once And For All. Grab His Free Exclusive Report "Stop Suffering From Panic & Anxiety" & Learn The 2 Different Types Of Anxiety Medications Also Discover What Anxiety Depression really is.

Source: www.articlesbase.com