Welcome to Stress And Anxiety Medications
Children And Anti Anxiety Medications Article
Information About Children And Anti Anxiety Medications
from:It's an unfortunate fact that children sometimes suffer from anxiety disorders. Unlike their adult counterparts, however, children are often limited in their treatment options, especially in regard to medication. Children and anti anxiety medications do not always go together terribly well. While these medications can be very useful in the treatment of adults with anxiety disorders, some of the most common of medications are not advised for young children with the same conditions.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, caution must be exercised deciding if children and anti anxiety medications should mix. While medications are sometimes called for, doctors generally carefully weigh the risks versus the benefits to decide if children and anti anxiety medication should go together. If other forms of therapy show promise, there is a strong chance that doctors will recommend them instead of medications. This is especially so in very young children.
It is also important to remember that children and anti anxiety medications have different implications than adults. Children's bodies are in a state of rapid development and they can sometimes have different reactions to medications. In most cases, dosages will be greatly different than what adults would be given. If potentially addictive drugs are called for, doctors will generally monitor use very closely in children. They will also typically strongly urge other forms of treatment, such as psychotherapy to help young children cope and overcome anxiety disorders.
Although most doctors would prefer to treat children with anxiety disorders without medications, sometimes they are called for. If they are, there are some medications that have been used successfully to treat children with anxiety disorders. When children and anti anxiety medications do have to mix, the most commonly prescribed form of drugs are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs.
Medications In Common Use
When children and anti anxiety medications do have to mix, the National Institute of Mental Health points to a few SSRIs in particular that have proven useful, even in young children. Some of the most common name brands that are used in treating youngsters include:
• Anafranil - This is used for children age 10 and over for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder.
• Luvox - This SSRI is used for obsessive-compulsive disorder in children age 8 and older.
• Tofranil - This medication is used in children as young as six, but is most commonly prescribed for bed wetting.
• Zoloft - This SSRI has been used in children age six and older for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder.
When it appears as if children and anti anxiety medications will have to mix to make treatments more effective, parents will generally find their use does not continue for too long. Youngsters can sometimes benefit from the symptom relief these medications provide, which is good for helping other forms of therapy along the way.