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Suggest Treatment For Severe Anxiety Despite Taking Xanax
Question: I have been diagnosed with severe anxietydisorder my current Dr has me on Xanax and kalonapin they aren't even easing the symptoms! He is at the point where he doesn't know what to do for me my symptoms are severe tension (body aches) its uncomfortable to even move plus hyperventilating! All I want to do is lay around I'mean so miserable!
Brief Answer:
SSRI goup of drug can help, paroxetine (paxil) is the choice
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing to us. I can understand your concern.
First of all I want to mention treatment fro anxiety disorder.
In my opinion best treatment of anxiety disorder includes both medicines and psychotherapy. .
In psychotherapy I recommend cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). In mild cases only CBT is sufficient. In moderate to severe cases initially medicines and then CBT is added. And later on medicines stopped gradually.
If medicines alone are used chances of relapse are more after stopping the medicines.
In medicines SSRI group of drugs(fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, escitalopram) are main stay of the treatment. I prefer paroxetine when anxiety is more.
Benzodiazepines group of drugs (clonazeapm- klonopin, lorazepam, alprazolam-xanax, diazepam -valium or etizolam) are used initially for short duration for fast symptomatic relief. I never recommend alprazolam (xanax).
Benzodiazepine group of drugs must be used under strict medical supervision otherwise it can cause tolerance, severe dependence and chances of abuse become higher.
If I were your treating doctor I would like to start with paroxetine and clonazapam as well as CBT.
Please discuss these recommendations with your treating doctor and modify the treatment.
Hope I have answered your query, I will be happy to help further.
Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.
SSRI goup of drug can help, paroxetine (paxil) is the choice
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing to us. I can understand your concern.
First of all I want to mention treatment fro anxiety disorder.
In my opinion best treatment of anxiety disorder includes both medicines and psychotherapy. .
In psychotherapy I recommend cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). In mild cases only CBT is sufficient. In moderate to severe cases initially medicines and then CBT is added. And later on medicines stopped gradually.
If medicines alone are used chances of relapse are more after stopping the medicines.
In medicines SSRI group of drugs(fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, escitalopram) are main stay of the treatment. I prefer paroxetine when anxiety is more.
Benzodiazepines group of drugs (clonazeapm- klonopin, lorazepam, alprazolam-xanax, diazepam -valium or etizolam) are used initially for short duration for fast symptomatic relief. I never recommend alprazolam (xanax).
Benzodiazepine group of drugs must be used under strict medical supervision otherwise it can cause tolerance, severe dependence and chances of abuse become higher.
If I were your treating doctor I would like to start with paroxetine and clonazapam as well as CBT.
Please discuss these recommendations with your treating doctor and modify the treatment.
Hope I have answered your query, I will be happy to help further.
Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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