Take Nerve Medicine

• Nervous conditions or anxiety are often caused by changes in a person's physical, financial, and/or personal life.
• Medication such as Valium, Librium, or Xanax are often given to people to help them calm down, and should only be taken for a short period of time.
• If you use these drugs regularly for a long period of time, you may develop a tolerance. This means that you will have to take more of the same pills to get the desired result.
• Regular long term use of nerve medication may cause confusion and problems with thinking that lead to poor judgment or bad decisions.
• It is common for older adults who use this type of medicine to experience difficulty with balance and falls.
  

• Talk with your doctor about your medication and how you are feeling.
• Do not change how you are taking your medication without talking with your doctor.
• Increasing your physical activity may help decrease anxiety.
• Joining in group activities at the senior center may help decrease anxiety.

• Contact your physician with any questions or concerns.

 WEB LINKS 

• National Mental Health Association: www.nmha.org
• National Institute of Mental Health: www.nimh.nih.gov