Saturday, August 18, 2012

Side Effects of Lexipro (Lexapro) for Sleep Anxiety

Do you worry about not being able to fall asleep which causes you to stay awake even more? This is what is known as sleep anxiety an endless cycle of sleeplessness that results in chronic insomnia. Most people know they have this problem but are unable to stop it. If you have sleep anxiety you worry about how much sleep you get and how it will affect your ability to function during the day. As you worry about your insomnia the worse it gets. Your insomnia becomes part of your everyday life and instead of doing something about it you learn to live with it or you decide to take a drug like Lexipro to treat your sleep anxiety.

Lexipro, the misspelled word for Lexapro, is an antidepressant that is generally given to people that develop anxiety or depressive disorders. As with any antidepressant there are always side effects to consider. What are the side effects of Lexipro for sleep anxiety? Headaches, inability to concentrate, memory problems, confusion, shallow breathing, sweating, tremors, uneven heartbeat as well as vomiting, diarrhea and loss of appetite are just some of the side effects from Lexipro. There are even some minor side effects that can occur; like decreased sex drive, impotence, INSOMNIA, constipation, heartburn, ringing in the ears and dry mouth.

You may also be allergic to Lexipro. If you have the following signs of an allergic reaction please seek medical attention. They are skin rash, hives, facial swelling, trouble breathing or swelling of the throat, lips or tongue and even thoughts of suicide.

Lexipro Side Effects Medication Guidelines

How can you stop taking Lexipro? Since this medication is prescribed by your doctor always tell them before stopping any treatment. Your doctor should suggest that you gradually decrease the dosage as stopping Lexipro cold turkey could be harmful. Since Lexipro is habit-forming stopping this drug suddenly your body will go through withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms include: nervousness, headaches, numbness, tingling, trouble sleeping and confusion.

As you know life happens and many of us suffer from anxiety as a result. Too much on your plate is overwhelming for some people and they end up not being able to sleep so they toss and turn night after night trying to solve the problems and difficulties in their life. Many are trying not to take additive drugs with side effects and turning to natural herbal relief for their anxiety. Many can provide a calming and relaxing tranquilizing effect that allows them to fall asleep easy. Kava Kava is used in some cultures to be effective as prescribed medication in relieving symptoms of anxiety and depression. As with drugs, herbal supplements should be discussed with your doctor especially if you are pregnant or nursing and since it causes drowsiness you should not take it before driving or using any heavy machinery. Supplements are not addictive or have life-threatening side effects and taking them with positive healthy lifestyle including a well-balanced diet and exercise can treat anxiety. Your diet should be rich in vitamins and minerals like magnesium that is known to help with sleep issues.

An alternative approach to reliving anxiety disorders is using cognitive treatments with an emphasis on relaxation techniques and positive thinking. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a psychotherapeutic approach that addresses dysfunctional emotions, behaviors and cognitions through a goal-oriented orderly process. CBT is effective for treatment of a variety of conditions such as; mood anxiety, eating disorders, substance abuse and psychotic syndromes and each has its own specific treatments for their symptom-based diagnoses. CBT has been shown to be effective with all anxiety disorders, even sleep anxiety.

The basic theory is some CBT treatments for anxiety is in vivo exposure, a term that describes the technique when patients are gradually exposed to the actual cause of their anxiety. This idea is based on the concept that the anxiety response becomes a habit and that avoidance, as in our case avoiding going to bed at night because we know we are not going to fall asleep, is a negative reinforcement which maintains this anxiety. Through exposure to their anxiety this habit can be unlearned.

But, you might ask, if CBT is just a matter of learning the facts and adopting the correct practices, why do I have to pay a therapist for it? Why can’t I just read the facts in a book or on the internet and start changing my behavior? You can, of course, and that’s partly why there are websites that exist  to get the word out about sleep myths and best practices. Many people need another person involved for coaching and to hold them accountable – which is why CBT services exist.  So it is important to talk to your primary health practitioner to discuss your sleep anxiety and have him/her recommend a licensed CBT therapist.

The information in this site is for informational purposes only and not meant as a substitute for advice from your healthcare professional. This information should not be used to diagnosis or treat any health problem. Information and statements provided by asleepeasy.com about supplements that have not been evaluated by the FDA are not intended to diagnosis, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical condition. Reliance on any information in this article or on this site is solely at your own risk.

 
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