Posted by hyperfocus on May 25, 2011, at 23:38:00
In reply to Help, please. Does EMSAM ever work for anxiety, posted by Lepus on May 22, 2011, at 2:56:03
Hey could you describe your condition some more? What type of anxiety specifically did you have when it became noticeable - was it like social anxiety or one of the phobias or generalized? Have you had an official diagnosis? It's possible that you have some serious condition besides just the anxiety.
Anxiety stuff tends to get worse, unfortunately, if left untreated for a long time. Whatever your original condition was,its possibly morphed into something else that also needs proper treatment. Depression and dissociation can result from long-term anxiety conditions, plus a whole host of psychological maladies like BDD that you might need to spend time with a therapist repairing. But in my totally layman's assessment MAOIs are a good start for what you might have. You might find as your depression level goes down, the anxiety and everything else gets better. So I'd say stick with the EMSAM. It seems to work in the majority of cases for those who can tolerate it. If you can tolerate it and have even a partial response then you coud look with hope towards Nardil or Parnate. Atypical APs like Risperdal and Abilify and Zyprexa and Seroquel could also help a lot in the future. Benzos aren't a great long-term option but if you're in a lot of pain and non-functional they do have their role for short-term acute relief. Your doctor should know that anxiety sufferers cannot become emotionally dependent on benzos.
I'm in a sort of similar position where my mind seems uncontrollable and loves to build these gigantic black cathedrals of despair every day and all I can do is gaze at them when everything I want to do in life gets neglected. It can be scary and demoralizing, especially if it's gone on for a long time but there is hope. I'm in my thirties also but I believe I've started the long process of getting better, thanks to this site. I think that right now even with the ambiguous state of psychiatry there exists enough information and tools to help you. As long as you're willing to research you own treatment you will eventually find what you're looking for. That's what I believe anyway. I wish you the best.
CPTSD: social phobia, major depression, dissociation.
Currently on 150mg amitriptyline + 12.5mg tianeptine + .25mg risperidone, single dose at night.
Improving.
poster:hyperfocus
thread:985926
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20110515/msgs/986250.html