Does anyone know of an Anti-Anxiety drug that doesn't cause sedation or addiction?

Question

I'd also prefer no 'herbal' or wonder-drug natural pills, thanks.

Any ideas appreciated and desperately needed.

Answer 1

I used busiprone for years. The only side effect will be a buzzy feeling the first couple times you take it after that you will have no issues with it. It is not addictive.

Answer 2

If your medicaiton is causing sedation and addiction, you're most likely on a benzodiszepine. (Valium?). Go to your doctor and ask for an anti-depressant. Those are just as effective in treating anxiety as benzodiszepines.

You're MUCH better off taking the route of therapy, though. Only 24% of people who treated their anxiety with medicaition remain symptom free for a year after they stop taking it. For therapy, its about 80%. Stopping medication usually means that the symptoms come right back, but therapy will actually teach you how to be not anxious without just drugging yourself. Best of luck!

Answer 3

Most benzodiazapines(Valium, etc) will cause sedation initially until your body adjusts to taking them. Low doses of ativan, or klonopin, or even Valium will do the trick. Also, I have taken Prozac with these in a low dose(20mg) for years. This really helps. My doc says the benzos only become addictive to those who abuse them and take more than prescribed and more frequently. I have a script for Valium 4x daily and have had it for years. during some really bad times, yes I took it 4x a day, but now I may take it just to help me sleep at night and even then only if I am really stressed out.
Therapy is also the most important part. There is nothing better than a good counselor. Seeing a med doc is not enough. He sees you for 15 min, usually long enough to write you scripts and ask how you are doing with them then its on to the next patient. Counselors will work with you weekly to get to the bottom of the anxiety and help you figure out what is causing it, what you can do to eliminate it so you can get on with your life. They can teach you relaxation methods and help you redirect your anxiety into something healthy and constructive!
Good luck and be well.

Answer 4

It is hard to say, since we dont' know the level of the anxiety you experience. I have been on depression and anxiety drugs for 10 years. I have switched a lot as new drugs came, but have been on Lexapro for quite some time and it is great. No side effects to speak of. My job has been really stressful this year, and my doctor did increase the dosage, and it still worked wonderfully. Good luck. Get help as soon as you can.

Answer 5

I really am into herbs, they are definitely for the patient and overly patient, but in all honesty, I needed something that was going to work like NOW.
I ended up in the local crisis unit being treated for many things, severe recurring depression, post traumatic stress, and semi-agoraphobia- including severe anxiety,,,,

Zoloft in 25's was for one week, then they upped it to 50, I have been on 50's for almost 2 years now, and I am happy to say that they do not happen but maybe monthly, and when they do, they don't send me into a total frenzy.
I am actually able to stop, and think about how I am reacting, and slow or stop the effects all together.
Talk to your doc about it-only he can say what is right for you.
Good luck in your search!!!!!

Answer 6

I take Wellbutrin 300 mg a day as well as 100 mg of Seroquel. I didn't suffer any side effects really, maybe a little dry mouth and some dizziness, but they went away after a few days. If you take something and you don't like the way it makes you feel, tell your doctor you want something else. They should listen to you and prescribe something different. If they don't, you should consider a new doctor.

Answer 7

Like others said, antidepressants work just as well for anxiety, just take 2 weeks to start working. They are SO much easier to get a prescription for too.

I am not much of a believer in talk therapy for anxiety since most anxiety is a type of brain chemistry problem. You can't change brain chemistry by talking.

Answer 8

you just have to try them all yourself!! sorry but it's different for everybody :(

I take effexor, main side effect for me was loss apitite.
doesn't make me sleepy.

SSRI's generally boast they don't make you sleepy, thought the pharmacist puts those warning labels on them ;)
also, they are not addictive. addiction is defined as :
if your body develop's a tollerance & you have to inc the dose to amounts that are dangerous in the end;
you feel compelled to take more & more due to the above.

many drugs have withdrawal symptoms but are not classed as addictive.

I don't know of any drug for mental disorders which doesn't have withdrawal :(
best thing is to reduce verrrrry slowly. 1/4 of a tab every 3 days or so, maybe less, ask your doc

Answer 9

Buspar or Buspirone(generic name). I've taken it on and off for years. It works pretty good for general anxiety. It won't sedate you and isn't addictive.

Answer 10

I would go get some therapy and get off the meds. Meds are used as a crutch much too often.