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Does Intake Of Zoloft Help In Treating Anxiety?
Question: My psychiatrist retired so I found a new one.I was on ativan 0.5 mg 3 times a day for the last 20 years.I have been maintaining a good life.I have had moments of high anxiety & moments where I felt I could rule the world but all in all things were good.The new psychiatrist wants to ween my off ativan and is putting me on zoloft 50mg a day.I told my new Doctor I suffered no depression or sucidal thoughts.I talked to my sister who is in nursing & she said negative things about zoloft & that it is life changing.I am on the back nine of life (58) and hoping to retire in 5 years & don't want to have any life changing experience.I was happy with the ativan I know it is addicting & I that I needed it to function everyday but I was living a ok life.Shoud I not take the zolofot & try to find a new Doctor to go to.Thanks for your time
Brief Answer:
Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks very much for your question.
I certainly understand your concerns and where you are coming from. But I actually agree with your doctor's thinking here. Let me explain why.
Anxiety responds well to benzodiazepines like Ativan as you know. But benzodiazepines are not meant to be used for more than a few weeks to a few months. The reason for this is that when they are used for a long time, they are well-known for causing cognitive problems including memory loss, especially in people older than 50, and also place people at higher risk of falls as they get older. They also tend to work less well over time, requiring higher and higher doses as people age.
The standard and best long-term treatment for anxiety is an SSRI antidepressant. Ativan should've been used as a bridge to treatment with an SSRI in the first place. Your doctor now is suggesting this, and has chosen Zoloft, which is probably the best-tolerated and safest antidepressant we have. Zoloft's only documented side effect is GI upset in the first few days of use, but otherwise it does not change personality or the other concerns you mentioned. This is a safe an effective medication. If you want to try a different SSRI, I would recommend Lexapro. But Zoloft is a fine choice.
I hope this sheds light on your doctor's decision.
Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.
Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks very much for your question.
I certainly understand your concerns and where you are coming from. But I actually agree with your doctor's thinking here. Let me explain why.
Anxiety responds well to benzodiazepines like Ativan as you know. But benzodiazepines are not meant to be used for more than a few weeks to a few months. The reason for this is that when they are used for a long time, they are well-known for causing cognitive problems including memory loss, especially in people older than 50, and also place people at higher risk of falls as they get older. They also tend to work less well over time, requiring higher and higher doses as people age.
The standard and best long-term treatment for anxiety is an SSRI antidepressant. Ativan should've been used as a bridge to treatment with an SSRI in the first place. Your doctor now is suggesting this, and has chosen Zoloft, which is probably the best-tolerated and safest antidepressant we have. Zoloft's only documented side effect is GI upset in the first few days of use, but otherwise it does not change personality or the other concerns you mentioned. This is a safe an effective medication. If you want to try a different SSRI, I would recommend Lexapro. But Zoloft is a fine choice.
I hope this sheds light on your doctor's decision.
Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Is Zoloft going to help my anxiety? I thought it was only for depression.I don't have depression just general anxiety.If it wasn't for my anxiety I would be ok.
Brief Answer:
Followup
Detailed Answer:
All antidepressants are also first-line treatment for anxiety, yes. They are the most effective anti-anxiety medications we have. So I would continue to use an antidepressant.
Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.
Followup
Detailed Answer:
All antidepressants are also first-line treatment for anxiety, yes. They are the most effective anti-anxiety medications we have. So I would continue to use an antidepressant.
Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Thank you for your insight.So in conclusion the Zolofot will help me cope better with my anxiety than the ativan.What about panic attacks will it help those?My new Doctor said ativan was a bandage for the problem but Zolofot goes to the root of the problem.Is that true?Thank you again for your professional opinion & in the timely manner you have responded.Take,care,Gary
Brief Answer:
Followup
Detailed Answer:
Yes exactly, Zoloft will treat the root of your anxiety and panic attacks, whereas Ativan is simply a temporary bandage. So your doctor's strategy is the best and correct one.
Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.
Followup
Detailed Answer:
Yes exactly, Zoloft will treat the root of your anxiety and panic attacks, whereas Ativan is simply a temporary bandage. So your doctor's strategy is the best and correct one.
Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
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