Anxiety medications can feel like a double-edged sword. They offer relief but come with questions: Will I get addicted? Are there side effects? Is there a better way?
In Moment of Anxiety, Dr. Miguel A. Fernandez—a chiropractic sports physician and mental health expert with decades of clinical experience—provides a balanced guide to managing these tough choices.
Let’s explore when medications help when they don’t and how to pair them with natural strategies for lasting calm.
When Are Anxiety Medications the Right Call?
Medications aren’t a one-size-fits-all fix, but they can be lifesavers in certain situations. Dr. Fernandez explains in Moment of Anxiety that medications may be necessary if:
- Your anxiety severely disrupts daily life (e.g., panic attacks, unable to work).
- Therapy or lifestyle changes haven’t worked after consistent effort.
- Symptoms include suicidal thoughts or extreme physical reactions (e.g., chest pain, insomnia).
For example, SSRIs like Prozac or Zoloft help many with chronic anxiety by boosting serotonin over weeks. Fast-acting benzodiazepines like Xanax can curb acute panic attacks but aren’t meant for long-term use. The key, as Dr. Fernandez notes, is to view medications as tools, not cures.
The Medication Menu: Types of Anti-Anxiety Drugs
Understanding your options empowers you to ask better questions. Here’s a breakdown:
SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors)
SSRIs like Lexapro increase serotonin levels, improving mood and reducing anxiety over 4-6 weeks. They’re less addictive but may cause nausea or fatigue initially.
Benzodiazepines
Drugs like Ativan or Valium offer quick relief (within 30 minutes) by calming the nervous system. However, they’re highly addictive and can impair memory with long-term use.
Beta-Blockers
Beta-blockers like Propranolol target physical symptoms (racing heart, shaking) without affecting mood. They’re popular for situational anxiety, like public speaking.
Buspirone
This non-addictive option treats generalized anxiety but takes weeks to work and may cause dizziness.
In Moment of Anxiety, Dr. Fernandez stresses that medication choice depends on your symptoms, health history, and lifestyle.
The Hidden Risks: Side Effects and Dependency
While medications help, they’re not risk-free. Common side effects include:
SSRIs:
Weight gain, sexual dysfunction, or emotional numbness.
Benzodiazepines:
Drowsiness, dependency, or withdrawal symptoms (e.g., rebound anxiety).
Beta-Blockers:
Low blood pressure or cold hands/feet.
Dr. Fernandez warns in Moment of Anxiety that benzodiazepines, in particular, can create a “crutch effect”—your brain forgets how to calm itself without the drug. This makes tapering off under medical supervision crucial.
Natural Alternatives: When to Skip the Pills
For mild to moderate anxiety, lifestyle changes often work as well as—or better than—medications. Dr. Fernandez highlights science-backed options in Moment of Anxiety:
1. Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) teaches skills to reframe anxious thoughts, with effects that outlast pills.
2. Exercise
Daily movement (e.g., brisk walks, yoga) lowers cortisol and boosts serotonin naturally.
3. Mindfulness and Diet
Meditation and anti-inflammatory foods (like omega-3-rich fish) reduce stress hormones and improve gut-brain communication.
4. Supplements
Magnesium, ashwagandha, or CBD oil (where legal) may ease symptoms with fewer side effects.
7 Questions to Ask Your Doctor Before Starting Meds
- What’s the goal of this medication? (e.g., short-term relief vs. long-term management).
- How soon will I feel changes, and what side effects should I watch for?
- Are there interactions with my current medications or health conditions?
- What’s the plan to taper off if needed?
- Can I combine this with therapy or lifestyle changes?
- Are there non-addictive alternatives?
- What happens if I miss a dose?
As Dr. Fernandez writes in Moment of Anxiety, “Informed patients make empowered choices.” Don’t hesitate to seek a second opinion if your concerns feel dismissed.
Real Stories: When Meds Help—and When They Don’t
Take Emma, a teacher with panic attacks so severe she couldn’t drive. After six months on SSRIs and CBT, she regained control and tapered off medication safely.
Or Jake, who relied on Xanax for social anxiety but grew dependent. With his doctor’s help, he switched to beta-blockers and mindfulness, breaking the cycle.
The Bottom Line
Medications can be a bridge to stability, but they’re rarely a forever solution. As Dr. Miguel A. Fernandez emphasizes in Moment of Anxiety, pairing them with therapy, exercise, and self-care creates lasting resilience. Whether you choose meds, natural methods, or both, the goal is the same: your freedom from anxiety.
Need Clarity on Your Anxiety Treatment Options? Explore Moment of Anxiety by Dr. Miguel A. Fernandez for a no-judgment guide to medications, therapy, and holistic healing. With his unique expertise in sports medicine and mental health, Dr. Fernandez offers evidence-based strategies to help you make confident, informed choices—so you can reclaim your calm, your way.