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What Should Be Used To Treat GAD Disorder. SSRI Or Benzodiazapine?

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Posted on Sat, 11 Aug 2012
Question: I'm curious, which would you choose to treat GAD disorder a SSRI or benzodiazapine? Why?
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Answered by Dr. Susanta Padhy (5 hours later)
Hi XXXXXXX

For GAD, Benzodiazepines are useful for short periods, initially, at the start of treatment with SSRI. They (benzodiazepine) relieve anxiety then and there (like taking paracetamol brings down temperature but donot treat the cause of fever).

SSRI is the mainstay drug treatment for GAD along with other psychological therapies and has to be taken for longer period . Its effect is seen after few weeks of starting SSRI. This time is to bring serotonin balance to normal in brain.

Hope your query is clarified
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

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

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :1998

Answered : 415 Questions

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What Should Be Used To Treat GAD Disorder. SSRI Or Benzodiazapine?

Hi XXXXXXX

For GAD, Benzodiazepines are useful for short periods, initially, at the start of treatment with SSRI. They (benzodiazepine) relieve anxiety then and there (like taking paracetamol brings down temperature but donot treat the cause of fever).

SSRI is the mainstay drug treatment for GAD along with other psychological therapies and has to be taken for longer period . Its effect is seen after few weeks of starting SSRI. This time is to bring serotonin balance to normal in brain.

Hope your query is clarified