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Suggest Treatment For Depression, Auditory Hallucinations, Frequent Panic And Anxiety Attacks

Posted on Sat, 18 Apr 2015

Question: I know I have been suffering from depression for about 25 years but never got it treated. Over the past few months, 3 or so, I have been having panic or anxiety attacks more frequently. I would say I have 1 or 2 mild ones per week but have had the most extreme one a week ago that caused me to vomit and almost pass out. I even walked out on a job which I have never done in my life. I also hear whispers from time to time. They vary in volume and are always incoherent. Am I going crazy?

Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
drugs and psychological treatment.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to HealthcareMagic.

I can understand your concerns.

From the details what you have provided, I do not feel that you are going crazy.

But yes, you do require treatment for your depression and panic attacks.
25 years is a long time. Untreated depression can cause huge morbidity.

There are drugs like paroxetine, escitalopram or clonazepam (prescription drugs) which work very well in such cases.
Also, psychological treatments like behavior therapy and biofeedback are helpful along with drug treatment.

The whispers which you hear can easily be due to anxiety or depression since you have not had any treatment for it.

Instead of using marijuana for anxiety, I would suggest you to consult a psychiatrist and discuss the above treatment options.
Marijuana can precipitate anxiety or depression on long term.

Hope this helps.

Feel free to discuss further.

Thanks.
Dr. Shubham Mehta. MD (Psychiatry).

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Shubham Mehta (10 minutes later)

Thank you Dr. Mehta,

I had a question about the information you provided on the medications. I worry that they are habit forming and addictive. Are the medications you listed addictive? I tend to have an addictive personality and am afraid of abusing the medicine. I am already a recovering alcoholic.

I feel like I am having trouble functioning socially. Will the medicine impact this at all?

Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (26 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
praoxetine/escitalopram not addictive.

Detailed Answer:
Your welcome dear.

I understand your concerns about medications.

I would like to tell you that paroxetine and escitalopram are NOT addictive.
Clonazepam can be addictive ONLY IF taken regularly for longer periods, say 2-3 months or more.

These medications will help you to overcome your anxiety and depression.
As the anxiety and depression will improve, your social functioning will become normal.

The illness itself affects social and personal life more than anything.

Paroxetine (and similar drugs) take 1-2 weeks to show their effects. Till then clonazepam can be taken on SOS basis when there is intense anxiety. This will greatly help you.

Kindly consult a psychiatrist and discuss these issues.

Hope you find my response satisfactory.

Kindly close the discussion if you have no more queries and give your valuable feedback.

I wish you well.
Thanks.

Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar