Medication for Agoraphobia

Medication can be highly effective in reducing the occurrence of panic attacks and the other anxiety symptoms of agoraphobia.

The classes of medications most likely to be prescribed for treatment of agoraphobia are:

1) Benzodiazepines (tranquilizers and sleeping pills).

2) Antidepressants (medication primarily used for mood stabilization but that have been proven effective in blocking panic attacks).

3) Anticonvulsants (originally developed to treat epilepsy but shown to be effective in reducing the frequency and intensity of panic attacks).

4) Buspar (a slower acting tranquilizer that is less habit-forming and has fewer withdrawal effects than most benzodiazepines).

5) Beta-Blockers (primarily used for hypertension but sometimes prescribed to reduce the physical symptoms of anxiety such as shaking, trembling, rapid heart rate, and blushing).

The main drawback with medication is that pills can only reduce anxiety symptoms while you are taking them. Medication only masks the symptoms of agoraphobia and is not a real cure or long-term solution. Also, some medications can be addictive or have negative side effects, and the long-term effects of some of the newer, more popular medications are unknown.

Due to the drawbacks of medication, most psychologists and psychiatrists prescribe medicine as a temporary means of reducing anxiety symptoms while a form of psychotherapy is practiced. Once a person begins to feel successful in therapy, the goal is to gradually reduce reliance on the medication.

It is strongly suggested that you try cognitive-behavior therapy or some form of psychotherapy before you turn to medication.

Article Source: http://www.agoraphobia.net

Stephen Price is a recovered agoraphobic with a master’s degree in psychology. He has an informational website on agoraphobia with a free newsletter. It is found on the web at: www.agoraphobia.ws

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