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Suggest Treatment For Depression

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Posted on Wed, 4 Jun 2014
Question: Hello! How the best way to treat depression, my husband has abdominal pain at night and morning, can not sleep, have panic attack?
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Answered by Dr. Sunil Gupta (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
treatment with antidepressants

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I read your query and can understand your concern for your husband. Panic attacks are sudden episodes of anxiety which can occur independently or as part of other disorders like depression. It would have been better if you would have mentioned the exact symptoms of depression your husband is facing.

Your husband's condition can be very effectively managed by medications like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. You should seek a psychiatric consultation for the same. Medications like sertraline and escitalopram can be safely used even in old age. Usually, baseline investigations like complete blood count, liver function, renal function, thyroid function, ECG, and serum electrolytes will be required. Monitoring of serum electrolytes would be recommended at your husband's age after starting the medications.

The medications usually take sometime from 10-15 days to start showing its effect. So, you will have to be patient about it. In addition to the medications, your husband can also learn relaxation exercises in form of deep breathing and progressive muscular relaxation which will help him relieve his anxiety. You can discuss about the same with your psychiatrist.

Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help.

Best wishes,

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

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
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Answered by
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Dr. Sunil Gupta

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2005

Answered : 637 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Depression

Brief Answer: treatment with antidepressants Detailed Answer: Hi, I read your query and can understand your concern for your husband. Panic attacks are sudden episodes of anxiety which can occur independently or as part of other disorders like depression. It would have been better if you would have mentioned the exact symptoms of depression your husband is facing. Your husband's condition can be very effectively managed by medications like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. You should seek a psychiatric consultation for the same. Medications like sertraline and escitalopram can be safely used even in old age. Usually, baseline investigations like complete blood count, liver function, renal function, thyroid function, ECG, and serum electrolytes will be required. Monitoring of serum electrolytes would be recommended at your husband's age after starting the medications. The medications usually take sometime from 10-15 days to start showing its effect. So, you will have to be patient about it. In addition to the medications, your husband can also learn relaxation exercises in form of deep breathing and progressive muscular relaxation which will help him relieve his anxiety. You can discuss about the same with your psychiatrist. Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help. Best wishes, Dr. Sunil Gupta