Anxiolytics, what they are used for

The Anxiolytics Are the most prescribed drugs after anti-inflammatories. There are two types of anxiety: that normal, when there is physical and psychological tension (for example, that experienced by a student before an important test), which disappears on its own with time and is completely “physiological”.

In this case, there is no need to treat anxiety with drugs.

The second type of anxiety is that pathological which, on the other hand, is inappropriate with respect to the situation in which we find ourselves and may be excessive compared to what the situation would normally require.

Only in the latter case, i.e., when anxiety can impair normal social activities and quality of life, with a correct diagnosis by the doctor, pharmacological and/or psychotherapeutic treatment can be started.

Anxiolytics are also used to counteract panic attacks or to induce sleep if one has difficulty falling asleep or has disturbed sleep with frequent nocturnal awakenings resulting in fatigue, irritability, and low productivity the next morning, with a worsening quality of life.

In any case, these drugs should not be taken for a long time: these are the most commonly used ones such as benzodiazepines (Tavor, Xanax, Rivotril, Valium, Ansiolin, En, Frontal, Lexotan, Prazene, Control, Lorans, and so on), but it is better to resort to psychotherapy instead.

Also because benzodiazepines cause, more than other psychoactive substances, physical and psychological dependence, addiction and withdrawal.

Discontinuation and discontinuation of these drugs therefore must be gradual and in any case agreed upon with the doctor who will carefully consider how to reduce the drug.

In fact, if there is an abrupt discontinuation, this could result in side effects such as anxiety, insomnia, irritability, nausea, headache, palpitations, tremors, sweating but also muscle aches, vomiting, intolerance to light and sound and, rarely, convulsions, excitement, sadness, delirium, hallucinations, difficulty thinking and expressing emotions.