The Truth behind Beta Blockers for Anxiety
Many people take beta blockers for anxiety when faced with stressful and intense situations like when speaking in front of the public. Nonetheless, this form of drugs is found to have negative side effects to one’s health. If you’re suffering from anxiety problems and you wish to take this, knowing how it works and how it reacts to your body is very much important.
Beta blockers for anxiety are among the most common treatments for anxiety disorder. Beta blockers are synthetic medications that are commonly prescribed to people who have anxiety disorders, mental and behavioral illnesses. But aside from these, beta blockers are also given to people suffering from glaucoma, high blood pressure, and migraines. Because this substance regulates the blood flow, it helps alleviate the usual symptoms of anxiety. Sometimes, beta blockers are used with certain medications to treat alcohol withdrawal. There are various types of beta blockers. Examples are atenolol, betaxolol, and the most common – Propranolol.
Beta blockers for anxiety can be taken regularly especially during chronic anxiety disorders but they can also be taken only when needed or when the sufferer is suffering from anxiety attack.
How do beta blockers reduce anxiety?
Beta blockers reduce one’s level of anxiety by blocking two of the hormones that trigger anxiety. These are the adrenaline and noradrenalin. Whenever you panic or you feel anxious and wary, your body releases these hormones. Actually, beta blockers for anxiety do not have a direct effect on anxiety. What these drugs do is to reduce the symptoms of anxiety such as shortness of breath, excessive sweating, and palpitations. Beta blockers take away the thought from a person’s mind that he/she is suffering from anxiety.
Beta blockers for anxiety target the central nervous system specifically the brain, lung function, heartbeat and the veins or blood vessels. When a person is tensed, his/her heart palpitates abnormally. Beta blockers slow the heartbeat back to its normal rate. As a result, people who take beta blockers to relieve their anxiety do not experience the usual tightening of chest, shaking, and some other obvious signs of anxiety.
Side Effects of Beta Blockers for Anxiety
Since these are synthetic drugs, beta blockers come with side effects as well. Various studies have shown that beta blockers can even aggravate one’s anxiety disorder. The reason for that is every time a person takes in such medicine, it increases the peristalsis (contraction of muscles) in the gastrointestinal tract which in turn worsens the anxiety level on that system. Other side effects include nausea, diarrhea, and cramps. Excessive intake of beta blockers for anxiety can be very dangerous in one’s health as well. High amount of beta blockers can penetrate through the barrier that separates the brain from the blood and can cause serious side effects such as delirium, hallucinations, and fatigue.
Beta blockers for anxiety, when taken under the guidance of a health professional can relieve symptoms of anxiety in much faster way. However, this relief is only temporary. Anxiety disorders need non-drug treatments side by side with the medications to achieve long-term effects. You should understand that medications don’t actually treat the root causes of anxiety. They will only help you get away from the symptoms. And of course – the symptoms they bring can be long-lasting as well.