Pharmaceutical companies that design and evaluate medications tend to focus primarily on their short-term benefits and safety, and clinical trials of the effects of a medication rarely last more than one year. However, we know very little about these effects because they're rarely studied. Long-term impacts on the brain other than those intended for treatment can occur. It can change its structure or reduce its production of specific chemicals in response to the continued presence of certain medications. The brain is a responsive and adaptive system, and it adjusts to changes in its chemistry in complex and sometimes unexpected ways. Under a doctor's supervision, a person may have to try a few different medications before finding the one that works best.įurthermore, new side effects can develop after long-term use of a medication. No one can predict the response a specific individual will have to a specific anti-anxiety medication. So a medication that's helpful for one person may have only negative effects for another person. ![]() Therefore, it's difficult to use medication to make one change in the brain without affecting other systems.įinally, because no two brains or bodies are exactly alike, medications frequently have different effects on different people. Furthermore, levels of one neurotransmitter in the brain may shift in response to changes in levels of other neurotransmitters. This results in side effects that can include constipation or diarrhea.īecause it's very difficult to impact levels of a neurotransmitter in a specific location without influencing other parts of the nervous system, side effects are expected when people take medications for anxiety. Medications used to increase serotonin levels in the brain may also affect intestinal processes because serotonin plays a key role in coordinating muscle contraction in the intestines. Consider serotonin, a neurotransmitter often thought to be involved in various areas of the brain that create anxiety. Therefore, medications designed to influence a neurotransmitter's activity in one set of brain circuits may also have a side effect of influencing completely unrelated processes. Just as you can use baking soda for a variety of purposes (for leavening, as a cleaning agent or toothpaste, to deodorize your refrigerator, and so on), the human body uses most neurotransmitters in a variety of different systems. The brain and the rest of the body uses a limited number of neurotransmitters in multiple neurological processes. First, keep in mind that brain functions rely on neurotransmitters, chemicals that allow neurons to communicate with each other. There are logical reasons for side effects. In the case of anti-anxiety medications, side effects can range from an upset stomach to confusion, and from muscle weakness to sexual dysfunction. Side effects are unintended adverse consequences associated with taking medication. No discussion of medication with your doctor is complete unless you address side effects. If you are in therapy, or plan to seek therapy, be sure to discuss all of this with your doctor (and/or therapist) to ensure you achieve the most beneficial outcome. 1 The right combination of medication and treatment can also vary depending on what phase of treatment you're in. Some medications have been shown to increase or decrease the effectiveness of various therapeutic approaches, like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. ![]()
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