Best Meds for Anxiety/Panic Disorder?

May 2021 6 124 Report

Best Meds for Anxiety/Panic Disorder?

Currently take Lexapro 20mg, however, I wasn't taking it regularly and hit a hard time with panic attacks again. I have been back on regular schedule with it now for almost 8 weeks, feel better, but not great. If my doc changes my meds I am scared? Are there any meds that work best for you? Lexapro seemed to work so good for the last 5 years, did I just screw myself up because I quit taking it regular and now my system is immune to it? I'm kinda freaking out, I don't want to go through all this again!!!!!

Health / Mental Health

Verified answer

Hi there. I've been suffering from panic attacks since the age of 16 (I am 30 now) so I am probably an expert at this now. Tried quite a few things including tricyclic antidepressants, benzodiazepines and SSRIs.

Like you I have settled for something called Citalopram (something very similar to Lexapro). The problem is that it takes a while for the effects to kick in and if you stop taking it you will almost certainly go back into panic mode (I found out in the same way as you)!

My advice is that I have taken it to be a part of my life and I know what will happen to me if I don't take it - hence I take it regularly. I would suggest that regrettably you will probably need to accept your condition as part of your life.

As for screwing yourself up - no, you have not done that and you are certainly not immune- these drugs do not work in that way. I have also found that taking to individuals and reading online blogs helps as it makes be feel that I am not isolated.

Hope this helps

Good Luck

Catherine XX

Anonymous

Some anti-anxiety medications will work for others but may not work so well for you. It is a very good thing that you can and are able to see a psychiatrist. Be certain that he understands the severity of your anxiety and panic attacks. Your psychiatrist will know which is right for you. He will probably start you on a lower dosage and if needed he will increase the dosage until you are relieved of you anxiety. If one makes you feel sleepy after two or three weeks you either need a change or a lower dosage. The only thing that you are supposed to feel is that you have no anxiety. Medicaid will cover your medication. Good Luck to you!

jannsody

I have anxiety, depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder (ocd), and I take the ssri (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) antidepressant Prozac Weekly, the time-released prozac. The ssri's are supposed to help the serotonin (neurotransmitter which helps the nerve cells to talk to each other) to "reuptake" at the proper time. Regarding other types of medications that someone mentioned, the benzo's or "mild" tranquilizers (such as valium, ativan, xanax and klonopin), they have more of an immediate effect on anxiety but may be like a sedative. The benzo's are very physically addictive, too, and withdrawal symptoms can include seizures, psychosis (mental break from reality) and even death.

The (ssri) antidepressants tend to be more effective in treating panic and anxiety but may take 6-8 weeks as you'd mentioned in order to get the therapeutic effect. I also take Seroquel (an antipsychotic) at night to help with sleep and the dopamine neurotransmitter which is also thought to be related to those with ocd.

Rock38

I would suggest that you use ativan.I have been on it for three years and it works pretty good for me.It won t cure your problem but you will be able to control it.Also its not as addictive as xanax. Good luck!!