Question

It appears as though the pace of life has quickened and people are as stressed as ever. Do you feel that anti-anxiety drugs are an appropriate way to deal with stress? How do you feel about adolescents being given drugs to reduce stress? Why or why not?

Answer 1

• Anxiety and depression have become quite common in the world today.And more and more people are seeking help now.Anti anxiety medications have become a part of life for not only older adults but even teenagers as well.I think if someone is going through severe stress and anxiety,then these medication provide relief and also makes the individual calm enough to og for therapy.
• Too much reliance on such medications can lead to abuse or addiction causing withdrawal symptoms.Which is why the best way is to go for a combination of drugs and therapy.
• CBT is commonly used for treating anxiety.Its a slow and gradual treatment process but proves to be effective in the long run without any sideffects.Eventhough taking medications,provide instant relief to people,but its long term effects are not present.
• In therapy sessions,people learn to manage their anxiety,if at all it happens again in future.Techniques are taught by therapists so that one can use them later on as well.
• Teenagers can very easily become addicted to anti anxiety medications,since in this age hormones are hay wire and emotions heightened which is why they become highly susceptible to relying too much on these drugs and becoming addicted.They can take them if they are facing severe problems but they should also opt for therapy as well.
• Too much reliance on these drugs is causing an increase in overdose deaths involving benzodiazepines.The deaths have quadrapled in the last 10 years which is a growing concern regarding drug crisis in US.Benzodiazepine addiction is becoming an epidemic and is as frightening and serious as the opioid crisis.If the drugs aren’t available, the individual experiences heightened anxiety and increase in dependency which is problematic.
• That is why too much reliance needs to be controlled and psychotherapies should be used more often.Talk therapies are the need of the hour.