During a period of severe stress, the heart races, breathing rises, and perspiration start to flow out of every pore. When the threat has passed, things return to normal, and people frequently say that the experience is behind them. Even if there is no stressful event taking place at the moment, for persons who have anxiety disorders, this intense dread and worry don’t go away.
Aside from those already mentioned, there are a number of anxiety-related disorders that can be treated with Klonopin (clonazepam). This medication may help to calm an overactive mind and allow serenity and relief to enter in. However, Klonopine isn’t the only effective treatment for anxiety. Several distinct treatments can help, and some don’t involve a visit to the pharmacy.
Klonopin is the brand name of a drug called clonazepam. Clonazepam is commonly prescribed for panic and anxiety disorders. It works by slowing down the central nervous system to reduce seizures and other symptoms caused by excessive nerve activity or status epilepticus, a prolonged seizure lasting 30 minutes or more.
Klonopin has been proven effective in preventing those symptoms from returning as well as reducing the frequency and intensity of panicattacks. However, klonopin addiction is a very serious risk with this drug even when it is taken as prescribed by a doctor.
Medication Choices
According to an article produced by Medscape, the soothing effects of Klonopin can be mimicked by a variety of other medications.
Common choices include:
- Antidepressants are the medications most often used to treat generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia, PTSD, and obsessive-compulsive disorder, due to their ability to relieve symptoms such as tension and worry. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) such as phenelzine (Nardil) are the oldest antidepressants. SSRIs like Paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva), sertraline (Zoloft), fluvoxamine (Luvox), citalopram (Celexa), and escitalopram (Lexapro) may also be prescribed to treat anxiety disorders. Some common choices for medication include:
- A type of tranquilizer that is commonly prescribed to treat anxiety disorders. Klonopin is a benzodiazepine medication often prescribed to those who suffer from anxiety disorders. Benzodiazepines, such as Klonopin work quickly to relieve anxiety symptoms and can help treat short-term episodes.
- Buspirone (BuSpar), a non-benzodiazepine that helps to reduce anxiety over time without causing dependence or drowsiness.
- Beta-blockers are a type of medication that can help to reduce anxiety over time without causing dependence or drowsiness. Some common choices include propranolol (Inderal) and atenolol (Tenormin).
- Antihistamines are often used to relieve anxiety caused by the common cold and other minor illnesses. Can provide relief from stress by reducing the common cold symptoms or different types of disease. They are likely just as effective as a placebo.
- Anticonvulsants are medications used to treat seizures, but they have also been found to help reduce anxiety symptoms. Some common choices include Gabapentin (Neurontin), pregabalin (Lyrica), and levetiracetam (Keppra).
- Antipsychotics are medications used to treat mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, but they can also help reduce anxiety symptoms. Some common choices include risperidone (Risperdal), quetiapine (Seroquel), and aripiprazole (Abilify).
While these therapies function in a variety of ways within the human body, they all tend to produce a feeling of drowsiness or sedation. That could be the appeal for those who have anxiety, which makes them feel somewhat calmer.
Unfortunately, many of these medications often take weeks to kick in, as they need to build up to a therapeutic level before delivering relief. This might mean that some people take medications for long periods without feeling soothed at all. Sticking with the therapy is vital, as allowing the drugs to build up could bring about the changes people need to feel less anxious and out of control.
Must Read: Klonopin Withdrawal
Other Therapies
While medications might have a role in helping some people with anxiety disorders, the drugs do have their limitations, and often, they’re used only as a short-term solution for nervousness. To recover, people need to learn more about controlling their thoughts and feelings. Therapy is the best way to bring this sort of change about.
Some people with anxiety disorders benefit from exposure therapy, in which they spend time around the people, places, and things that tend to spark their nervous feelings. Some therapists can even use simulations in therapy to expose a person with anxiety to a more life-like representation of a situation that tends to provoke fear. Computer games featuring gunfire and explosions, for example, might be helpful for people with war-related anxiety disorders. According to a study in the Journal of Anxiety Disorders, there tends to be a dose-dependent relationship for this therapy, meaning that attending more often tends to bring about the best results, but going to any therapy session at all might be helpful for people with anxiety.
In addition to exposure techniques, therapists might help clients learn how to control their physical responses to anxiety. By learning how to meditate, people might learn how to slow their breathing rates and heart rates during a moment of panic, so they’ll be less likely to spin into a full-blown anxiety episode.
How to Take Care of Yourself when You’re Feeling Anxious
If you’ve found yourself feeling nervous lately, here are a few tips that might help. First off, try some deep breathing techniques to slow down your heart rate and calm your body, so you feel more in control of the situation. Secondly, if you find yourself starting to panic about nothing at all, get back into the present moment by asking yourself questions about now. For example, if you’re at the grocery store and starting to feel anxious because of a line that seems too long, think about why you need the items in your cart. If they were expensive, try to remember where they came from so you can avoid spending more money on something else right now. Finally, try to keep a positive outlook on life. It’s natural to feel nervous from time to time, but reminding yourself that you can handle whatever comes your way can help you feel more empowered and in control.
The alternatives to Klonopin don’t require a prescription, such as herbal remedies, acupuncture, exercise, music therapy, meditation, yoga, aromatherapy, progressive muscle relaxation techniques, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), hypnosis, or homeopathy?
Klonopin is a benzodiazepine. There are currently no herbal remedies that have the equivalent effect of Klonopin. Acupuncture might be helpful for some people with anxiety disorders because it tends to reduce stress, which might indirectly help lower anxiety.
Exercise, listening to music, meditation, yoga, and aromatherapy are all positive ways of managing one’s mental health, but they won’t directly treat any specific anxiety disorder on their own.
Hypnosis and homeopathy are unproven methods that might help some people with anxiety disorders, but more research is needed to make definitive conclusions.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is the only method that has been scientifically proven as an effective treatment for anxiety disorders. CBT is the best option available if you’re looking for an effective alternative to Klonopin. This type of therapy helps people change their thinking and behavior to decrease their anxiety. While there’s no substitute for medication, CBT has been proven effective as a treatment on its own or in conjunction with Klonopin.
Must Read: Klonopin and Alcohol
When Should You Seek Professional Help for Anxiety Issues?
If you’re feeling nervous or anxious more days than not, it might be time to seek professional help. Similarly, if your anxiety is severe and significantly impacting your quality of life, professional assistance would be recommended. It’s also a good idea to get help if you’re struggling to manage your anxiety independently.
Professional help for anxiety disorders is available from mental health professionals such as psychologists, counselors, psychiatrists, and social workers. That being said, many of these methods have not been scientifically validated. While it’s a good idea to talk to a doctor or therapist about your anxiety issues, they might not represent the most effective techniques out there.
If you’re currently on Klonopin and want to get off the medication, there is one method that you can use to reduce your dosage gradually. It’s called “weaning,” and it might take several moNths of therapy before you can completely stop taking Klonopin.
Weaning involves reducing your dosage in small increments over time until you no longer need to take the medication at all. This method is typically combined with CBT, which will help you to gradually reduce your dosage at a manageable rate while also learning how to cope with your anxiety in the meantime properly.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is currently considered the best alternative to Klonopin. This type of therapy helps people change their thinking and behavior to decrease their anxiety. CBT has been scientifically proven as an effective treatment for anxiety disorders on its own or in conjunction with Klonopin.
What types of therapy or counseling are available for those who want a different approach than medication?
When it comes to therapy or counseling, there are a variety of different approaches out there. Some people might prefer individual therapy, while others might find that group therapy is more beneficial. Several different therapeutic techniques can be used, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), psychoanalysis, humanistic therapies, and family systems therapy.
While there are many different types of therapy or counseling available, not all have been scientifically validated. It’s essential to do your research before committing to a particular therapist or counselor. CBT is the best option available if you’re looking for an effective alternative to Klonopin. This type of therapy helps people change their thinking and behavior to decrease their anxiety. CBT has been scientifically proven as an effective treatment for anxiety disorders on its own or in conjunction with Klonopin.
If you’re feeling nervous or anxious more days than not, it might be time to seek professional help. Similarly, if your anxiety is severe and significantly impacting your quality of life, professional assistance would be recommended. It’s also a good idea to get help if you’re struggling to manage your anxiety independently.
Professional help for anxiety disorders is available from mental health professionals such as psychologists, counselors, psychiatrists, and social workers. That being said, many of these methods have not been scientifically validated. While it’s a good idea to talk to a doctor or therapist about your anxiety issues, they might not represent the most effective techniques out there.
What herbal remedies can help reduce anxiety levels without any side effects or withdrawal?
For many people, anxiety is a symptom of other mental health disorders. If you struggle with depression or ADD/ADHD, your anxiety might be related to those other conditions. Suppose the medication that you’re currently taking for other diseases isn’t helping you manage your anxiety along with it. In that case, some herbal remedies can help reduce anxiety levels without any side effects or withdrawal.
Herbal remedies that can help with anxiety include passionflower, kava root, and lemon balm. These herbs are as beneficial as anti-anxiety medications such as Klonopin.
The essential oil of lavender is another herbal remedy that can help reduce anxiety. It’s important to note that this oil is for topical instead of oral use, as ingesting lavender oil can be dangerous.
Is there an alternative to Klonopin which doesn’t cause side effects and withdrawal symptoms?
Yes. Unfortunately, many people believe that there’s no other way to get rid of their anxiety than taking medication such as Klonopin. This is because they’re unaware of the various options out there for people who want an alternative to Klonopin.
While medication can effectively manage chronic and severe forms of anxiety disorders, it’s not the only option. There are several different types of therapy or counseling that have been scientifically validated as effective treatments for anxiety disorders. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is one such approach that is as effective as medication in treating anxiety disorders.
If you’re looking for an effective, non-medication-based alternative to Klonopin, cognitive-behavioral therapy is the best option available. This type of therapy helps people change their thinking and behavior to decrease their anxiety.
If taking Klonopin long-term, is it still possible to wean off of the medication and continue to feel good?
When it comes to Klonopin, there are a few things to consider:
- Klonopin is a medication that should only be taken for short.
- If you’re taking Klonopin long-term, it’s important to wean off the drug to avoid withdrawal symptoms gradually.
- It’s essential to find an alternative to Klonopin that will help you manage your anxiety without any side effects or withdrawal symptoms.
- It’s vital to seek professional help to ensure a smooth transition off Klonopin.
In most cases, it’s best to work with a therapist who can provide you with cognitive-behavioral therapy.
