Generalized anxiety disorder, or GAD, is a mental illness characterized by a regular state of extreme worry and fearfulness. It can interfere with day-to-day activities but is treatable by therapy and medication. The federal government estimates that 18 percent of American adults suffer from GAD or another type of anxiety disorder.
Antidepressant Treatment
Antidepressants can also treat anxiety symptoms, and several are approved by the Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, to treat GAD. Effexor, Buspar, Cymbalta and Lexapro are just a few of such medications.
Antidepressant Side Effects
All medications have a risk of side effects, and antidepressants are no exception. Common side effects reported with many antidepressants include dizziness, upset stomach, sleep problems and, in some cases, increased anxiety.
Sedative Treatment
In severe cases of GAD, a doctor may prescribed a sedative, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. These can be used daily or as needed, and common medications include the benzodiazepines Xanax, Valium, Ativan, and Klonopin.
Sedative Risks
There are some significant risks with sedative drugs, and their use is closely monitored by the Drug Enforcement Administration, or DEA. Possible risks include oversedation, problems operating heavy machinery and even addiction or death if the drugs are misused.
Other Medications
Beta blockers are also sometimes used to treat GAD, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. The FDA also reports that sometimes antipsychotics are used to treat severe anxiety, but both these types of medications can have significant side effects and are not commonly used in GAD.
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