Anxiety May Be A Paxil Side Effect Like Birth Defects

Anxiety is a normal reaction that we experience in our lifetime. This is also referred to as worry or angst. We usually feel anxious when we are in a situation where we feel like we can’t control. Undesirable feelings of dread, worry or fear are usually created. There are a number of factors why people become anxious and that include medications. The antidepressant Paxil may cause anxiety where it is listed as one of its common side effects. Other than that, Paxil belongs to SSRI antidepressants which can cause possible sexual dysfunction to those who take the medication.

When felt in excess, anxiety can turn into a disorder. Anxiety is then referred to as a general term for disorders which can cause feelings of nervousness, apprehension, fear and intense worrying. Several types are under anxiety disorders and some of the most common can be found below.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

GAD is characterized by excessive worrying. This is usually recurrent and can be long-standing. These people are seen as “worrywarts” because they have the tendency to make their worries blown out of proportion. They find it difficult to control their anxiety once it starts over unspecified things or events.

Phobia

A phobia is defined as an irrational fear to a situation or object. The feeling that one manifest is more or less similar with GAD. However, the trigger for the reaction is identified and the cause is specific unlike GAD. The individual with a specific phobia usually has an unnecessary reaction to the trigger and cannot control the anxiety resulting from it. A number of phobias are identified in the medical community. One example is claustrophobia which is the fear of being in an enclosed space.

Panic Disorder

This anxiety disorder involves sudden terror attacks. Symptoms often include shaking, dizziness, confusion, nausea and breathing difficulties. Panic attacks are abrupt and may last from minutes to hours. Factors that may precipitate an attack include chronic stress and frightening experiences, but sometimes, the attack can be spontaneous.

Separation Anxiety

This is characterized by intense anxiety when they are separated from a person or place that they feel very secure.This is most common in toddlers and school-age children. This may be naturally resolved over time or it might have an effect on the child while growing up. Some conditions including Paxil birth defects may also have a big effect on the child’s health while growing up.

References:

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/info/anxiety/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anxiety
http://www.medicinenet.com/anxiety/article.htm#tocd
http://www.drugs.com/sfx/paxil-side-effects.html