Most of the times a patient having anxiety disorder is prescribed a SSRI. I think ideally treatment should consist of counseling , CBT , taking patients relatives in confidence and training patient about meditation and relaxation. Also adding Benzos like valium or klonopin can help immensely. I feel there is unnecessary bias against use of Benzos, they work extremely well without major side effect on short term basis, although there is possibility of addition , habituation and tolerance. What are views of experts and patients ?
SSRIs and SNRIs have shown that they are the most effective for treatment of anxiety and depression. I have had very bad reactions to both of those classes and my psychiatrist recommended to not take them again. I take a benzodiazaprine as needed. Luckily, my PTSD symptoms only come up for a month or two out of the year. It would be difficult to live like that all the time.
The problem with benzodiazaprines is that they are less effective if taken routinely. They are even less effective if taken for a long period of time. Personally, I find them to be helpful for a week or two and then not helpful. My psychiatrist recommended that I start therapy and I already had before I went to see him. He asks me every time I see him if I am still in talk therapy. My therapist teaches self-relaxation techniques.
Depending on the anxiety disorder, most of getting help is learning a certain level of tolerance and coping skills for dealing with the symptoms. There is no pill or therapist that can fix or cure the problem.
January 21st, 2010 at 7:39 pm
Here is an intersting article about serotonin’s role in treating anxiety disorders.
http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/neuro/neuro01/web1/Applegate.html
References :
psychiatric healthcare 23 years
January 21st, 2010 at 7:45 pm
SSRIs and SNRIs have shown that they are the most effective for treatment of anxiety and depression. I have had very bad reactions to both of those classes and my psychiatrist recommended to not take them again. I take a benzodiazaprine as needed. Luckily, my PTSD symptoms only come up for a month or two out of the year. It would be difficult to live like that all the time.
The problem with benzodiazaprines is that they are less effective if taken routinely. They are even less effective if taken for a long period of time. Personally, I find them to be helpful for a week or two and then not helpful. My psychiatrist recommended that I start therapy and I already had before I went to see him. He asks me every time I see him if I am still in talk therapy. My therapist teaches self-relaxation techniques.
Depending on the anxiety disorder, most of getting help is learning a certain level of tolerance and coping skills for dealing with the symptoms. There is no pill or therapist that can fix or cure the problem.
References :
I’ve been dealing with PTSD for 20 years
January 21st, 2010 at 8:10 pm
about it you can get information from here http://webmd10.notlong.com/AAEkNKo
References :
January 21st, 2010 at 8:32 pm
Meditation! The mental health field needs more like you.
References :