While it is common knowledge that SSRI antidepressants medications like Effexor are used to treat severe symptoms of depression, it is not as commonly known that the drugs are also used to help people live with anxiety disorders, as well. In fact, SSRIs like Effexor are being used more often to treat the condition.
The website ScienceDaily.com describes general anxiety disorder (GAD) as “an anxiety disorder that is characterized by excessive and uncontrollable worry about everyday things. The frequency, intensity and duration of the worry are disproportionate to the actual source of worry, and such worry often interferes with daily functioning.” The condition often leads to depression, but even when it doesn’t, depression medications are often used. The problem with this is that those drugs can be very dangerous.
Anxiety is a condition that affects millions of people worldwide. SSRIs are commonly used to treat depression and is linked to serious adverse effects that causes birth defects in babies who are exposed to the drug in-utero. Some of the birth defects linked to Effexor include PPHN, oral clefts and spina bifida. The pills are also linked to an increased risk of violent and suicidal thoughts and behavior. As if the side effects of these medications aren’t bad enough, doctors continually prescribe them regardless of the dangers. Current studies show that antidepressants like Effexor are one of the top-selling drugs on the market right now, which is saying a lot since numerous studies also show that these drugs are no better at alleviating symptoms of anxiety and depression than placebos.
The risks linked to these drugs is why many experts are now seeking non-medicinal treatments for anxiety and depression. Some of those treatments that studies have found to work include yoga, better nutrition, exercise, talk therapy and even music therapy. Patients looking to treat their anxiety without using potentially dangerous and addictive medications should look into one of those treatments instead.