Anti-depressant for anxiety?

Pookyl · Jan 21, 2020 at 11:26 PM

I suffer from severe anxiety. My pdoc wants me to have a think about whether I’m willing to go on an antidepressant to treat it.
Note - my mood is currently ‘normal’ and stable. I am not depressed at all.
Is anyone using an antidepressant just for management of anxiety? In particular, SSRI’s?
Wellbutrin is not an option.

Victoria'smom · Jan 21, 2020 at 11:37 PM

I'm on a baby dose of lexapro, half the smallest dose. I don't think it has helped much but we shall see.

Wild Coyote · Jan 21, 2020 at 11:56 PM

I am not just now, but had been using just citalopram 10 mg. which truly helped my anxiety and any agitation, too.

I hold a special place in my heart for citalopram. We are great friends!

I'd have concerns about any AD med, esp if stable. Does he not want to prescribe a benzo?

I hope you find something helpful!

Jester's Rags · Jan 22, 2020 at 12:17 AM

I’ve had antidepressants help with OCD symptoms, but none that ever really touched my anxiety. I take Xanax for anxiety and it works well. That’s just my experience. I’m not a doctor.

~Christina · Jan 22, 2020 at 12:22 AM

What about Buspar ?!? Never helped me but worked for my daughter for a while.

Zoloft has really helped my daughter depression but her anxiety is very low now.

I use to take Doxipen but that for more for sedation, I don’t think it helped my anxiety,

I think you tried Inderal already ???

Pookyl · Jan 22, 2020 at 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wild Coyote

I'd have concerns about any AD med, esp if stable. Does he not want to prescribe a benzo?

I hope you find something helpful!

I have a benzo (Valium) prescribed already however she considers benzos a short term symptomatic fix.

Pookyl · Jan 22, 2020 at 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ~Christina

What about Buspar ?!? Never helped me but worked for my daughter for a while.

Zoloft has really helped my daughter depression but her anxiety is very low now.

I use to take Doxipen but that for more for sedation, I don’t think it helped my anxiety,

I think you tried Inderal already ???

I’m now on atenolol (which is another beta blocker) instead of Inderal. My pdoc and I aren’t sure if going down the AD route is smart given how stable I am. That’s why she’s happy for me to keep taking Valium.

~Christina · Jan 22, 2020 at 12:44 AM

I’d be hesitant to start a AD if Bipolar wise I was stable. I’d have to really think about it I’ve had mixed results in the past. 2-3 days on low dose AD had me climbing a depression wall... and once I was IP by day 5-6 with psychosis.

If you try any I’d take the absolute lowest of low dose and really keep an eye on my mood and sleep

Pookyl · Jan 22, 2020 at 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ~Christina

What about Buspar ?!? Never helped me but worked for my daughter for a while.

Zoloft has really helped my daughter depression but her anxiety is very low now.

I use to take Doxipen but that for more for sedation, I don’t think it helped my anxiety,

I think you tried Inderal already ???

I can’t remember the specifics of why exactly but Buspar isn’t an option for me.

MobiusPsyche · Jan 22, 2020 at 01:15 AM

I'd be more likely to try an antipsychotic than an antidepressant. I know that when I started Abilify as a depression adjunct, my anxiety improved significantly as well. I hadn't quite realized how anxious I was until that happened.

I would give an antidepressant a shot if my pdoc was on board with it and ready to manage the possible fallout. Valium is no kind of solution as the risk of addiction is too high for my taste.

Pookyl · Jan 22, 2020 at 02:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MobiusPsyche

I'd be more likely to try an antipsychotic than an antidepressant. I know that when I started Abilify as a depression adjunct, my anxiety improved significantly as well. I hadn't quite realized how anxious I was until that happened.

I would give an antidepressant a shot if my pdoc was on board with it and ready to manage the possible fallout. Valium is no kind of solution as the risk of addiction is too high for my taste.

I’m already on two anti-psychotics hence the discussion about whether an AD would be a good idea.

Coolbreeze74 · Jan 22, 2020 at 06:44 AM

I would look into citalopram....

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Victoria'smom Legendary Member Since Apr 2012 Location: Earth Posts: 14,904 (SuperPoster!) 12 5,436 hugs given	Jan 21, 2020 at 11:37 PM #2 I'm on a baby dose of lexapro, half the smallest dose. I don't think it has helped much but we shall see. __________________ Dx: Me- SzA Husband- Bipolar 1 Daughter- mood disorder+ Comfortable broken and happy "So I don't know why I'm tongue tied At the wrong time when I need this."- P!nk My blog
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Jester's Rags Member Member Since Oct 2017 Location: USA Posts: 386 6 37 hugs given	Jan 22, 2020 at 12:17 AM #4 I’ve had antidepressants help with OCD symptoms, but none that ever really touched my anxiety. I take Xanax for anxiety and it works well. That’s just my experience. I’m not a doctor.
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~Christina Legendary Wise Elder Community Liaison Member Since Jul 2011 Location: Tennessee Posts: 22,450 (SuperPoster!) 12 12.7k hugs given	Jan 22, 2020 at 12:22 AM #5 What about Buspar ?!? Never helped me but worked for my daughter for a while. Zoloft has really helped my daughter depression but her anxiety is very low now. I use to take Doxipen but that for more for sedation, I don’t think it helped my anxiety, I think you tried Inderal already ??? __________________ Helping others gets me out of my own head ~
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Coolbreeze74 Member Member Since Dec 2019 Location: Washington Posts: 334 4 930 hugs given	Jan 22, 2020 at 06:44 AM #12 I would look into citalopram....
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