Posted by zeugma on September 26, 2004, at 17:46:20
In reply to Re: Socially fearful what meds? » iris2, posted by King Vultan on September 26, 2004, at 10:05:20
My theory is that norepinephrine is more involved in the etiology of panic disorder than any other monoamine. nortriptyline put an end to the frequent panic attacks I have suffered from since childhood, but this action was independent of an anxiolytic effect. The sensations of impending doom which are characteristic of panic attacks are probably mediated by the locus coeruleus, which is the source of norepinephrine throughout the brain. SSRI's may block panic attacks through an indirect effect on GABA, but I think they are probably less effective than either benzos or TCA's for this disorder, and take longer to take effect, since the effect is indirect.
-z
poster:zeugma
thread:394626
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040921/msgs/395405.html