Questions about a Disorder?
Xanax (alprazolam)
Generic Name: alprazolam
Drug Class(es): benzodiazepines
FDA Recommended Age: 18 and older
Commonly Used to Treat: OCD, anxiety
Xanax Side Effects
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Xanax:
Changes in appetite; changes in sexual desire; constipation; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; increased saliva production; lightheadedness; tiredness; trouble concentrating; unsteadiness; weight changes.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Xanax:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); confusion; decreased urination; fainting; hallucinations; loss of coordination; memory problems; menstrual changes; muscle twitching; new or worsening mental or mood problems (eg, depression, irritability, anxiety); overstimulation; red, swollen blistered, or peeling skin; seizures; severe dizziness; severe or persistent trouble sleeping; suicidal thoughts or actions; trouble speaking (eg, stammering, stuttering); yellowing of the eyes or skin.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
Individuals often respond to medications differently, and ratings can therefore be quite varied. Our objective is to provide a general rating for drugs used and prescribed from a large pool of participants, thus giving other future patients and mental health professionals insight into a drug's potential effectiveness. Your participation is greatly valued and appreciated. Thank you.
Other OCD Medications
- Zoloft (SSRI);
- Xanax;
- Wellbutrin;
- Vivactil (tricyclic);
- Valium;
- Tranxene;
- Tofranil-PM (tricyclic);
- Tofranil (tricyclic);
- Surmontil (tricyclic);
- Sinequan (tricyclic);
- Sarafem (SSRI);
- Remeron;
- Prozac (SSRI);
- Pristiq;
- Pexeva (SSRI);
- Paxil CR;
- Paxil (SSRI);
- Parnate (MAOI);
- Pamelor (tricyclic);
- oxazepam (generic only);
- Norpramin (tricyclic);
- Nardil (MAOI);
- Marplan (MAOI);
- Luvox CR;
- Luvox (SSRI);
- Ludiomil (tricyclic);
- Librium;
- Klonopin;
- Emsam;
- Elavil (tricyclic);
- Effexor (SNRI);
- Desyrel;
- Cymbalta (SNRI);
- Celexa (SSRI);
- BuSpar;
- Aventyl (tricyclic);
- Ativan;
- Asendin;
- Anafranil (tricyclic);
Other Anxiety Medications
- Zyprexa;
- Zoloft (SSRI);
- Xanax;
- Wellbutrin;
- Vivactil (tricyclic);
- Vistaril;
- Valium;
- Triavil;
- Tranxene;
- Tofranil-PM (tricyclic);
- Tofranil (tricyclic);
- Tenormin;
- Surmontil (tricyclic);
- Sinequan (tricyclic);
- Seroquel;
- Serax;
- Sarafem (SSRI);
- Risperdal;
- Remeron;
- Prozac (SSRI);
- Pristiq;
- Pexeva (SSRI);
- Pertofrane;
- Paxil (SSRI);
- Parnate (MAOI);
- Pamelor (tricyclic);
- oxazepam (generic only);
- Norpramin (tricyclic);
- Niravam;
- Nardil (MAOI);
- Minipress;
- Marplan (MAOI);
- Lyrica;
- Luvox CR;
- Luvox (SSRI);
- Ludiomil (tricyclic);
- Librium;
- Lexapro (SSRI);
- Klonopin;
- Inderal;
- Emsam;
- Elavil (tricyclic);
- Effexor (SNRI);
- Desyrel;
- Cymbalta (SNRI);
- Celexa (SSRI);
- Catapres;
- BuSpar;
- Aventyl (tricyclic);
- Ativan;
- Atarax;
- Asendin;
- Anafranil (tricyclic);
- Adapin;
- Abilify;
Diagnosis
While eating disorders are normally identified through simple observation, such as people eating massive amounts of food or being extremely thin, it is not always easy to determine the underlying causes. Extreme weight loss can be caused by conditions ranging from cancer to anorexia, just as obesity can be caused by various disorders. So a thorough physical as well as a psychological evaluation is important in diagnosing eating disorders.
Anorexia Nervosa
Symptoms that are associated with anorexia include:
- Excessive concern with their body shape and weight
- Having an eating disorder as an infant or as a child
- Wanting to be "perfect"
- Having a distorted body image – thinking they are fat even though they are too thin
- Fear of becoming fat or gaining weight, even though they are already underweight
- Amenorrhea – not having a menstrual period for several months
Therapy
Typically, eating disorders are best treated by addressing the underlying psychological causes as well as any physical issues. Most eating disorders are caused by the presence of a mental health condition such as anxiety, depression or substance abuse. By addressing these underlying causes, the eating disorder can be helped. Counseling or talk therapy is a mainstay of treatment although in some cases medications may also be helpful.
Binge Eating
Talk therapy and biofeedback training along with behavioral, individual, family, or group therapy can help people who are binge eaters. Binge eating may be treated with antidepressants if it occurs along with depression or anxiety.
Progress Tracker
Track your symptoms to identify patterns and help with your treatment plan. Our progress tracker can be printed or even shared with your healthcare professional electronically.
Progress tracking for eating disorders
Eating Disorder Questionnaire
This simple questionnaire is designed to help you determine if you have symptoms of an eating disorder and could benefit from professional help.