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Suggest Treatment For Anxiety

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Posted on Wed, 8 Jun 2016
Question: I am getting strong thoughts about fear of life everyday since January 2016 and these thoughts are repetitive in nature. Provided short summary below, kindly provide quick advice. Thanks, XXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ashish Mittal (19 hours later)
Brief Answer:
You appear to have anxiety problem.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for your query.

I appreciate your efforts for medical consultation in so much distress.

As your investigations like routine tests, ECG test and holter monitoring are normal, which rule out possibility of physical illness. From your description and normal investigations report we should strongly suspect presence of anxiety disorder.

Severity of anxiety may vary time to time, in your case it is associated worry about life. That is why your symptoms improved with Clonotril which also have anti anxiety effect apart from hypnotic action.

Other symptoms of anxiety which may or may not be present in your case: nervousness, restlessness, mild irritability, excessive worry regarding own health, tremor, muscle spasm, heaviness in body, easy fatigability, headache, sleep disturbance, palpitation and dry mouth.

Anxiety occur due to neurotransmitters imbalance in brain most commonly involving serotonin neurotransmitter. You may need treatment with psychiatrist to treat your anxiety. It is not clear if you received any treatment in past from psychiatrist, but believe me people life changes after treatment.

There is need for treatment, if symptoms cause significant personal distress or affect personal/professional life like in your case. Both drug and non drug treatment like cognitive behaviour therapy (form of psychotherapy) are used for treatment. Choice of treatment depends on severity of symptoms, personal preference and availability of treatment.

In drug treatment two types of medicine used. For immediate relief of anxiety benzodiazepines group of medicines (like clonotril) are used and for long term relief most commonly SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are used. SSRI takes around 3-4 weeks to show its effect. Non drug treatment like cognitive behaviour therapy (form of psychotherapy) also takes weeks to show its effect. All these medicines are prescription medicine and given after in person examination by physician.

Above treatment process is complex. I have just simplified it to make you understand it. Although I understand that you are suffering, but you have to keep patience and meet nearby Psychiatrist. Till meeting you can continue Rivotril 0.25mg 1-2 tablets per day for few days.

Apart from above advice following simple measures will help you:
-Decrease worrying by keeping yourself busy and distracted from worrisome thoughts by talking to family members or watching T.V. or counting back (100 to 0).
-Healthy diet: Milk and fruits in diet.
-Daily morning walk
-Breathing exercise, yoga and meditation (which you can learn from some expert in person)

I hope this information has been both informative and helpful for you.
Wishing her good health.
Regards
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Ashish Mittal

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 1859 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Anxiety

Brief Answer: You appear to have anxiety problem. Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for your query. I appreciate your efforts for medical consultation in so much distress. As your investigations like routine tests, ECG test and holter monitoring are normal, which rule out possibility of physical illness. From your description and normal investigations report we should strongly suspect presence of anxiety disorder. Severity of anxiety may vary time to time, in your case it is associated worry about life. That is why your symptoms improved with Clonotril which also have anti anxiety effect apart from hypnotic action. Other symptoms of anxiety which may or may not be present in your case: nervousness, restlessness, mild irritability, excessive worry regarding own health, tremor, muscle spasm, heaviness in body, easy fatigability, headache, sleep disturbance, palpitation and dry mouth. Anxiety occur due to neurotransmitters imbalance in brain most commonly involving serotonin neurotransmitter. You may need treatment with psychiatrist to treat your anxiety. It is not clear if you received any treatment in past from psychiatrist, but believe me people life changes after treatment. There is need for treatment, if symptoms cause significant personal distress or affect personal/professional life like in your case. Both drug and non drug treatment like cognitive behaviour therapy (form of psychotherapy) are used for treatment. Choice of treatment depends on severity of symptoms, personal preference and availability of treatment. In drug treatment two types of medicine used. For immediate relief of anxiety benzodiazepines group of medicines (like clonotril) are used and for long term relief most commonly SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are used. SSRI takes around 3-4 weeks to show its effect. Non drug treatment like cognitive behaviour therapy (form of psychotherapy) also takes weeks to show its effect. All these medicines are prescription medicine and given after in person examination by physician. Above treatment process is complex. I have just simplified it to make you understand it. Although I understand that you are suffering, but you have to keep patience and meet nearby Psychiatrist. Till meeting you can continue Rivotril 0.25mg 1-2 tablets per day for few days. Apart from above advice following simple measures will help you: -Decrease worrying by keeping yourself busy and distracted from worrisome thoughts by talking to family members or watching T.V. or counting back (100 to 0). -Healthy diet: Milk and fruits in diet. -Daily morning walk -Breathing exercise, yoga and meditation (which you can learn from some expert in person) I hope this information has been both informative and helpful for you. Wishing her good health. Regards