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Anti-Stress Medication

By Tess Thompson

When an individual appraises a situation or an event as threatening, the sympathetic part of the autonomic nervous system signals the adrenal glands to release hormones. These hormones in turn energize the body in various ways so that the body is prepared to confront or escape the threat. Reversal to a normal, relaxed state is of utmost importance, because a continued state of alertness can cause numerous physical and mental illnesses.

Most of the stress that we feel is caused due to the daily pressures of everyday living. These include circumstances pertaining to jobs, finances, health and relationships. Medication is not indicated for the management of most of these daily hassles. There are many natural ways of coping with stress, but the irony is that many people prefer medication, as they find it a convenient and shorter route for managing stress.

All allopathic drugs have side effects, and these side effects are multiplied in the case of an overdose. Prescription anti-stress medications are comprised of benzodiazepines, antidepressants and antipsychotic drugs that produce a ‘good feeling’ for as long as one is taking the drug. Over time, one gets addicted to these drugs, and this holds true for non-prescription over-the counter analgesics, too. Dependency can be highly dangerous and can interfere with practically everything that you do or think, since the mind gets overly involved and obsessed with getting back that ‘feel good’ factor.

Anti-stress medication is indicated only in cases of severe stress that causes emotional upheavals. These are recommended for a short periods of time to manage major life changes or mental illnesses. These drugs are meant for temporary use and should only be taken under strict medical supervision.

The answer to natural stress relief lies in the very definition of stress. In psychology, stress is an unpleasant state of emotional and physiological arousal that people feel in situations they ‘perceive’ as dangerous. The emphasis on ‘perceive’ is deliberate, since it is the manner in which a situation is perceived that converts a normal event into a stress-causing one. The event on its own is not the cause, but one’s perception of it is.

If you are always looking at the darker side of events, it is bound to leave you stressed. Look at people who are worse off than you and you will realize the futility of the negative approach. Take adversity as a challenge and let it bring the best out of you, because stress medication is definitely not an ideal option.

References:

http://www.aboutstressmanagement.com/stressrelief/stress-management-medications/other-medication/pills-can-help-you-manage-stress.htm
http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761572052/Stress_(psychology).html