When anxiety is moderate to severe or herbal medicines are ineffective, synthetic antidepressants may be necessary. Anti-depressants can be effective for 60 to 80 percent of those with panic attacks or other anxiety disorders.
The drugs proven to be most effective in treating obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are four antidepressants—Anafranil (clomipramine), Luvox (fluvox), Prozac (fluoxetine), and Zoloft (sertraline). There has been no research on herbal treatment for OCD.
There are roughly a dozen antidepressants from which to choose if synthetic antidepressants are prescribed. None are addictive or habit-forming. Antidepressant medications are usually taken for two to three weeks before benefits are derived.
During this time, patience and perseverance are essential. Some patients decide the medication doesn’t work after a few days or weeks and discontinue it. Others experience side effects and stop without telling their doctor. Either response is a mistake. Communicate any side effects to your doctor.
If the problem is especially troublesome, call at once; don’t wait until your next appointment. Your doctor may wish to prescribe a different antidepressant, but if your doctor suggests continuing with the medication as prescribed, please consider doing so. Most side effects disappear within two to three weeks.
Because of the length of time it takes to see the results from taking antidepressants, it may take a while for you and your doctor to arrive at the proper medication and dosage. Be patient with the process. During the initial phase of treatment, you may require more frequent consultations with your doctor.
Do not change your medication or dosage on your own. If selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are discontinued too abruptly, the result can be serotonin withdrawal syndrome, with flulike symptoms. A gradual dose reduction of SSRIs is necessary.
SSRIs, such as Prozac (fluoxetine) and Effexor (venlafaxine), can sometimes cause nervousness, agitation, insomnia palpitations, sweating, and sexual dysfunction. These side effects can easily be mistaken for symptoms of anxiety, the disorder these medicines are attempting to treat.
If the side effects are severe, you and your doctor may decide to lower the dosage or discontinue the drug and try a different medication. Do not take any additional drugs—OTC, prescription, or recreational—without first consulting your health care provider.
Drugs that when taken alone are relatively harmless can become dangerous, even deadly, when taken with some antidepressants.
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