1. < Depression & Anxiety

Best antidepressants for anxiety? And about to begin a benzo taper

Posted by sears @sears, Nov 24, 2019

What are the best antidepressants for anxiety? I know everyone is different, looking for opinions and options. I’m about to begin a benzo taper. My doctor wants me to stabilize a little before starting.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Depression & Anxiety Support Group.

Ptarmigan1609 | @Ptarmigan | Feb 11, 2020

Having had ADD (not ADHD) all my life, and I'm 79, I recall that it was not given a name until about 15 years ago (that I knew of). I think self-observing and self-reporting are the best and only ways it can be diagnosed. Until the patient learns about the diagnosis, checks in to verify or reject, you don't get an actual diagnosis.
Then the next step is: observe your own behavior over time, see if and where the (ADD or ADHD) problems lie and only THEN go to a psychiatrist to confirm or reject. Even then, unless symptoms sharply fit the diagnosis, you still don't know until you can observe over a long time.

REPLY
Moderator
Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Feb 12, 2020
In reply to @helenfrances "How does a doctor test for ADHD. When I taught the doctors always asked us to..." + (show)
@helenfrances

How does a doctor test for ADHD.
When I taught the doctors always asked us to gather behavioral data: time on task; time off task.
Some doctors would medicate from parents reporting.
There were often large discrepancies between teacher observations and parents’ (usually the mother) observations.

Jump to this post

I believe that @mamacita also knows something about how doctors test for ADHD, @helenfrances.

REPLY
1 reply
Mamacita, Alumna Mentor | @mamacita | Feb 12, 2020

@helenfrances
Good evening! @lisalucier mentioned you were interested in how doctors test for ADD. I have a little bit of experience along those lines. I myself have ADD. It can mimic other things.

Which is one of the reasons doctors like to rule out other things such as hearing loss, severe allergies, and a host of other conditions.

There are several tests that are used. One that I personally was given had me sitting at a computer. I was instructed to press a certain key whenever I saw a particular word on the screen. It was to test for attentiveness. I failed miserably.

Lost keys, unfinished projects, not listening, forgetting to turn in assignments, not wanting to engage in anything that appears too difficult, not following instructions....the list goes on.

Inability to focus is a tricky one. A child with ADD can focus plenty on what he is actually interested in.

Teachers have a form they fill out to describe a student's level of ability in doing what is required on a daily basis. While this is not a definitive diagnosis by any means, it does give the doctor some indication of what is going on.

There are lots of good books on the subject. Let me know if you would like the names of some of them.

It is getting late so I will say goodnight for now. Hope I have removed some of the "mystery" surrounding ADD. It is definitely doable.

Love and light,
Mamacita Jane

REPLY
Ellen | @helenfrances | Feb 17, 2020
In reply to @Liane1 "Lexapro has kept me on an even keel for several years, but I stopped taking it..." + (show)
@Liane1

Lexapro has kept me on an even keel for several years, but I stopped taking it because when I learned that SSRI's can contribute to dementia. There is a strong history of Alzheimers in my family, and I am already having some memory issues. I am looking for an anti-anxiety med that is not associated with dementia. Someone told me SNRI's are good for older people. Does anyone have research about those?

Jump to this post

Many years!!after taking Clonazapam I read the script:
Can cause memory and mood issues.
Is the prize (no head tremor)worth the cost ( mild cognitive impairment)?

REPLY
Moderator
Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Mar 17, 2020
In reply to @suz55 "I am so sorry you aren’t feeling well. It sounds like you are dealing with a..." + (show)
@suz55

I am so sorry you aren’t feeling well. It sounds like you are dealing with a lot lately. I have lost some beloved pets. I always have such a connection with my pets, They provide unconditional love and companionship. It is almost like or worse than loosing a family member because they are so dependent on us. Maybe you will consider getting another when you are ready. Grief takes time to heal but I want you to know there is hope just allow yourself some time. Depression can make us feel tired and ill. Just yesterday I said to my husband, I think I need to go to the doctor because I feel so lousy. I went for a walk and came home exhausted. Being winter, does not help. It is hard for me to tell if I have something else wrong or if it’s my depression but depression is an illness so either way I am not in a good place right now. Reaching out for help is hard for me to do also but you are not alone. I personally struggle with depression and anxiety even on meds. But there are always better days for me. Sorry for my rambling, I just want you to know you are not alone and there is hope. Trying to talk to an understanding person can help. Take care and say to yourself, “it Is ok to feel this way because of everything going on in my life, but I am going to be ok”.

Jump to this post

Hi, @suz55 - thinking of you and wondering how you are doing lately?

REPLY
Ellen | @helenfrances | Mar 18, 2020
In reply to @lisalucier "I believe that @mamacita also knows something about how doctors test for ADHD, @helenfrances." + (show)
@lisalucier

I believe that @mamacita also knows something about how doctors test for ADHD, @helenfrances.

Jump to this post

Thank you... reading now

REPLY
Moderator
Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Mar 24, 2020
In reply to @mnmom "I have tried a bunch of different anti depressants and other meds over the years, some..." + (show)
@mnmom

I have tried a bunch of different anti depressants and other meds over the years, some aimed at anxiety, some not, with varied results. Prozac was good for me to a certain degree, but didn't address the anxiety. Buspar was awesome, but I was dizzy for hours with each dose, so discontinued. Wellbutrin made me hostile (to put it mildly), which is especially bad for me because my anxiety comes out as agitation, irritability, and feeling like I'm possessed by a rage demon. So that was a no go. Lithium did nothing for me at all. Depakote didn't help my mood, and I gained 100 pounds. Tegratol- rash. Lexapro- kind of worked, but not well enough. I'm sure there were more, but that's what I remember off the top of my head. The real game changer for me? Effexor. It is tough to get on or off of (have to ramp up and taper off very planfully), but it isn't an exaggeration that if I'd found it 30 years ago, my life would have taken a very different path in many ways. It pairs well with my adderall as well, and I haven't had any side effects after my body adjusted to it (took a few weeks). Once it did, I swear it was like clouds parted and the choirs sang and I realized what it was like to not feel crazy/on edge/etc and could actually THINK, learn and implement new skills and tools, and move forward in my life and relationships. Everyone is so different that it's hard to tell what direction to go in, but I would strongly encourage you to advocate for yourself in finding the right med/combo of meds. Don't stop searching until you find a med/combo/dosage that is just right for you. "I feel better than I did" is a START, not the finish line. Good luck!

Jump to this post

Hi, @mnmom - thinking of you. How are you doing lately? Is the venlafaxine (Effexor) still working well for you?

REPLY
nannyned | @nannyned | Mar 25, 2020
In reply to @helenfrances "How does a doctor test for ADHD. When I taught the doctors always asked us to..." + (show)
@helenfrances

How does a doctor test for ADHD.
When I taught the doctors always asked us to gather behavioral data: time on task; time off task.
Some doctors would medicate from parents reporting.
There were often large discrepancies between teacher observations and parents’ (usually the mother) observations.

Jump to this post

"How does a doctor test for ADHD."
I have three boys with ADHD. A psychologist does the assessment - not your doctor.
They were in school, and the psychologist sent the report to the school. The report was recognized and respected by the school Awareness at school is critical.

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.