Xanax Uses
Xanax is a drug used for the purpose of treating anxiety and panic disorders in adults. A CNS depressant such as Xanax assists in stopping seizures, reducing anxiety and aids in the relaxation of muscle groups. In addition, "Off-label" Xanax is often used to treat agitation, presmenstrual dysphoric disorder and insomnia.
What is Xanax used for?
The prescription medication Xanax (alprazolam) is used to treat the following issues and conditions:
Anxiety and Xanax
Xanax is an approved medication and is commonly used for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Typically, normal feelings of anxiety are brought on just before a major event like a first date, a business meeting, or a major exam. Generalized anxiety disorder, on the other hand, has an impact on people that is far greater than the normal everyday anxiety. Generalized anxiety disorder impacts the person with feelings of exaggerated worry even though nothing or little has happened to provoke the feelings. Sufferers of this disorder constantly anticipate the worse and excessively worry about work, family, money or their health.
The
symptoms of anxiety can vary and often include:
- Nervous, jittery or shaky feelings
- Avoid activities or places out of fear
- Feeling apprehensive, tense or fearful
- Have trouble catching breath or racing heart
- Trembling or unexplained sweating
- Fear of dying, going crazy or losing control.
Xanax is not just used for generalized anxiety disorder. It can also be administered as a treatment for short-term anxiety from various causes. Xanax enables a person to overcome a tragic even such as the death of a loved family member or similiar traumatic events that trigger the feelings of anxiety. Xanax can alleviate feelings of dread and offer the sufferer some relief.
Anxiety and
depression are often linked for many people and as such, Xanax can also be effective for treating anxiety that is associated with depression.
Panic Disorder and Xanax
Another type of anxiety disorder is panic disorder. People suffering from panic disorder have recurring feelings of extreme dread that appear for no particular reason. The symptoms they experience can include shakiness, rapid breathing and heartbeat and sweating. Often people believe that they are experiencing a heart attack and are hospitalized. A panic attack may also occur when there is no real cause for anxiety, fear or stress.
Panic attack sufferers will often avoid places and situations purely out of fear of suffering another
panic attack. The fear associated with being in public and potential panic attacks leads some people to avoiding any social interaction whatsoever, leaving them housebound and reclusive. This type of behavior termed agoraphobia often is a result of panic disorder.
Xanax also has the ability to treat people with agoraphobia and is an approved drug in the treatment of panic disorders.
Xanax - How does it Work?
Xanax belong to a category of medications known as benzodiazepines. These medication have various effects including:
- Sleeplessness
- A Reduction in anxiety
- Relaxing muscles
- Stopping seizures
- Short-term memory impairment
All medications in the benzodiazepines category can have effects similar to the ones mentioned. It depends on which benzodiazepine is used. The drugs function by stimulating Gamma-aminobutyric or GABA a naturally calming chemical in the brain. Because of their effectiveness on GABA they have the ability to stop or slow down certain signals being sent to the brain. As a result, Xanax, along with other
benzodiazepines, are referred to as mild sedatives, nervous system depressants or
tranquilizers.
Uses of Off-Label Xanax
Ocassionally, Xanax may be prescribed to treat something different from the conditions and symptoms listed here. "Off-label" Xanax can typically treat the following conditions.
- Insomnia
- Agitation
- Premenstrual dysphoric disorder.
