Does Labetalol help with anxiety?

This blog post will answer the question: Does Labetalol help with anxiety? How does Labetalol make an individual with anxiety feel? How long does Labetalol take to reduce anxiety? What are some side effects of Labetalol? What is Anxiety? What are the signs and symptoms of anxiety? What are the causes of anxiety? What are some ways to manage anxiety? What are the therapy options for anxiety?

Does Labetalol help with anxiety?

Labetalol which is a beta-blocker can help with anxiety in many cases. Researchers believe that people experiencing anxiety feel calm due to the side effects of the drug.

In actual a beta-blocker like Labetalol is not meant for reducing a person’s anxiety rather is prescribed off-label for anxiety.

However, it cannot be denied that beta blockers help to reduce one’s heart rate which is one of the major concerns when a person experiences anxiety.

Doctors prescribe beta-blockers like Labetalol for anxiety because it helps to break up a negative feedback loop by restricting an individual’s body to express the physical symptoms of increased heart rate.

Controlling an individual’s physical reactions to stress helps the person feel calmer and in control of their actions and behaviors.

Thus, in conclusion, beta-blockers like Labetalol might make a person feel calmer while experiencing anxiety even though it is not an anti-anxiety medicine.

How does Labetalol make an individual with anxiety feel?

 

Beta-blockers like Labetalol help people experiencing anxiety feel much in control of their behavior and actions without making them feel under the influence of the drug.

The main goal of reducing anxiety in an individual is to help the individual live their life without the adverse effects of the symptoms, and beta-blockers can help to lower the bodies adrenaline response to normal stressors such that the person can be more focused on other things which helps meet the goal of anxiety reduction.

How long does Labetalol take to reduce anxiety?

Unlike many SSRIs which are used to manage and reduce anxiety and depression that take weeks to begin working on an individual, beta-blocker such as Labetalol show quick effects with the first dosage and can be used intermittently without any significant side effects.

They help in reducing the short-term anxiety symptoms but do not cure anxiety as such. Due to its immediate effect beta-blockers such as Labetalol can be taken just before, an event when people experience stage fright or fear of speaking.

What are some side effects of Labetalol?

Like any other mediLabetalolion, Labetalol can also cause severe allergic reactions which might lead to:

• Rashes
• Itching
• Trouble breathing
• Swelling of lips and face.

If individuals notice any of these reactions post-taking the medicine, they must consult a doctor immediately before taking any further dosage.

Apart from this Labetalol must not be taken without prescription by individuals who have heart problems, liver problems, breathing problems, and chronic illnesses such as diabetes.

What is Anxiety?

Problems and resulting stress are a part of every individual’s life, which are usually accompanied by some common emotions like confusion, feeling at the edge, a sense of helplessness, and recurrent negative thoughts which can collectively be seen as an individual experiencing what’s commonly called as Anxiety. 

Every human has their unique ways of dealing with these difficult situations and the following emotions, some try to adapt to the circumstances and find the best and most comfortable solution while others try to find an escape route for the same, in both cases the main aim is usually to get over the uncomfortable emotions of anxiety. 

What are the signs and symptoms of anxiety? 

Anxiety is characterized by a set of signs and symptoms such as:

 

• Sweating
• Difficulty in breathing
• Shortness of breath
• Sense of choking
• Complaints of chest pain
• Shaking or trembling
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness or Lightheadedness
• Fear of losing control over oneself and their environment
• Fear of impending doom
• Hot or cold flashes
• Tingling or numbness
• Increased heart rate

These symptoms vary in severity from person to person. However, it is noted that many people experience anxiety attacks that are not significantly displayed.

What are the causes of anxiety?

Anxiety often results from accumulated stress or overwhelming feelings. Some common causes of anxiety include.

• Increased and challenging situations and demands in day-to-day life.
• Major changes in family dynamics such as marriage, divorce, death of a loved one.
• Strain interpersonal relationships
• Intrapersonal conflicts
• Ineffective coping mechanisms
• Comorbid conditions both physical and mental
• Chronic health conditions
• Genetic factors
• Changes in the brain region
• Overdose of caffeine
• Prolonged use of medications
• Significant traumatic experiences in the past or recent times
• Comorbid mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder or any other phobias.

What are some ways to manage anxiety?

Identify and acknowledge the triggers

The most significant strategy that can be used to control one’s anxiety is by identifying and acknowledging those triggers.

Being able to recognize what makes an individual anxious makes them better equipped to take action.

Relaxation techniques

 

Even though anxiety can be bought under an individual’s control it cannot be predicted. In such situations, it is necessary that an individual actively carries out relaxation techniques.

These might include meditation, yoga, and deep breathing which helps to reduce the intensity of anxiety within a short period.

Socialization

 

A key to reducing the frequency and intensity of anxiety attacks could be spending time with close family and friends.

The kind of emotional and practical support provided by these social and personal groups help the person feel connected and aid in distracting one’s mind from negative and recurring thoughts that lead to anxiety.

Apart from friends and families, individuals can also consider speaking to groups of people that are experiencing similar problems.

Set realistic goals

When an individual is feeling overwhelmed, setting goals and targets keeping in mind priorities can help resolve overwhelming feelings of fear or panic.

Setting goals provides structure and routine to an individual’s life reducing space for uncertainty which can be a major trigger for anxiety in many cases.

Take up new challenges

Apart from doing activities that an individual is usually fond of and has expertise in, trying new and challenging activities that put an individual outside their comfort zone in a healthy manner may help reduce the stress and anger temporarily.

Signing up for new activities also provides a path to meeting people with similar stories and concerns.

Lifestyle changes

An individual’s lifestyle plays a major role in their experience of anxiety. An unhealthy and busy lifestyle usually leads to unhealthy eating, lack of exercise, lack of adequate sleep.

A combination of a well-set diet, exercise, and sleep can help to regulate an individual’s mood and equip them with a favorable coping mechanism.

These coping mechanisms in turn help to get control over once anxiety concerns in a more adaptable manner.

lack of proper diet, sleep, and exercise can make an individual sluggish, dependent, moody and vulnerable to anxiety attacks.

Making journal entries

Last but not least having a journal to write down how a person is feeling and thinking when they are anxious helps them to reflect upon their thoughts and feelings.

Putting down one’s thoughts and feelings onto a paper helps to provide a sense of temporary relief.

In the case of journal entry, a person does not even have to fear being judged by another person regarding their thoughts and feelings.

What are the therapy options for anxiety?

Cognitive-behavioural therapy

Cognitive-behavioural therapy helps an individual to control their anxiety by using strategies like relaxation and breathing. It works on the principles of replacing negative thoughts with positive ones.

Exposure therapy

Exposure therapy is a kind of therapy in which an individual is exposed to a particular stimulus that they usually fear or are anxious about in a graded order.

As and when the individual gets comfortable with the situation or stimulus introduced or exposed to them with each session, individuals get more comfortable with a real-life situation that might have otherwise been a source for triggering anxiety.

Group therapy

 

It is based on the principle that when an individual interacts with other people who are suffering from the same fears they might not feel left alone or isolated. Group therapy usually involves a group of individuals who are experiencing similar symptoms and problems.

Medication

Anxiety can also be treated with the help of medication prescribed by a health care professional.

Though medication alone cannot help in reducing persistent anxiety it can help in restoring a sense of control and bring temporary relief. 

Online therapy  

In cases where reaching out physically to a professional is impossible or discomforting an individual can opt to seek help through the online medium. 

In this, the therapy sessions are carried out one-to-one over a video or audio call. Some individuals also prefer interacting with the therapist through text as well due to various reasons. One of the most common is the fear of being judged by the therapist or some personal hesitation. 

Online therapy can help individuals to regulate some aspects of their anxiety that aids individuals in carrying out a stress-free life over time

Conclusion

Labetalol is a beta-blocker that can be used for immediate effects by individuals experiencing anxiety or trying to avoid a sense of anxiety in the light of an important event that might potentially trigger their bodily reactions.

However, every individual must take Labetalol based on the dosage prescribed by their doctors to avoid any adverse effects such as allergies or rashes that might become very severe.

People must also pay attention to how their body responds to Labetalol after their intake and must consult their doctors if they see any significant changes due to the medicine.

Citation

https://www.healthline.com/health/drugs/labetalol-oral-tablet#dosage

www.singlecare.com

https://www.healthline.com/health/anxiety/anxiety-triggers

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10634350/