Q&A
Does Xanax Help with Anxiety?
Question posted by ablueyed on 6 March 2021, last updated on 6 March 2021 by kevinb1953
Ablueyed has been experiencing excessive anxiety for over twenty years and has tried various medications, including benzodiazepines, SSRIs, SNRIs, tricyclics, MAOIs, and APs. They have requested to try Xanax, but their doctor refuses to prescribe it. Ablueyed wants to know if Xanax can help with anxious thoughts, rumination, and focus.
Expert Answers
According to WildcatVet, all benzodiazepines, including Xanax, can help with anxiety as they are mild sedatives that mask the symptoms. However, they do not address the underlying disorder. WildcatVet suggests considering therapy such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) as the first line of treatment along with medication if needed. Additionally, they recommend discussing the use of buspirone (BuSpar), a non-habituating anxiolytic that can help some people with anxiety/panic disorders.
TyreseTl adds that Xanax can be highly effective for short-term use (at least six weeks) but not for long-term use as tolerance can build up.
Related Topics
xanax, anxiety, alprazolam, medication, benzodiazepine
Further Information
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