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Suggest Supplements To Manage Anxiety

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Posted on Mon, 27 Mar 2017
Question: Hello DR.
My question concerns anxiety relief. For many years different doctors have prescribed drugs such as tranxene and lorazepam to help my anxiety and Panic Attacks. I would like to know if you have any suggestions for alternative ways to help these issues, such as effective supplements and the like. I am not sure but I even may have become addicted to these medications over the years, which is a serious concern of mine. I would appreciate any thoughts you might have on this matter.
Thank you for your time and experience,
XXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (31 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
SSRIs can help to treat the condition.

Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for asking from HCM for your health related doubts

I can understand your concern. You have anxiety and panic attacks and a lot of treatment options are there for these disorders. You have been on Lorazepam and Tranxene and both of these drugs are benzodiazepines. These drugs are useful in controlling the symptoms of anxiety but are not definitive treatment of anxiety. The drugs can help to reduce symptoms only.

Other drugs like SSRIs or SNRIs if used regularly help to control the symptoms and also help to treat the condition. Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, Sertraline etc are common SSRI drugs approved for treatment of anxiety disorders. The drugs if used regularly will help to treat the symptoms in about 4-6 weeks. For SOS use you can keep Lorazepam or other benzodiazepiens like CLonazepam in options.

Supplements containing Omega-3-Fatty Acids, Vitamin B12, Folate etc are very helpful to treat the anxiety symptoms. These supplements help in increasing the effectiveness of medicines. So you can take these supplements for treatment of your condition. Most of these supplements are easily available in chemist shops.

Regular use of Benzodiazpeines results in dependence and gradual dose reduction over 6-10 weeks can help to treat the condition. So by using the drugs I have mentioned you will see the improvement of symptoms and this will reduce the use of benzodiazepiens too.

Please discuss with your doctor for these drugs. You are free to ask follow up doubts for more clarifications.

Thanks. Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (3 hours later)
Dr. Bishnoi,
Thank you very much for your time, it is greatly appreciated. And of course for this valuable information, to me at least. My problem may be that a doctor I chose may not believe in Panic Attacks at all. Are there Specialists that I may have to see in order to get any help in this area? My primary Physician was who I discussed this with, but unfortunately he may not want to get involved in renewing an expiring prescription that came from someone else. I do not understand, but my earlier doctor was the one who prescribed them (Lorazapam), and he recently had to retire because he had Medical Problems of his own to worry about. Would it be worth anything to try and seek his help in some way, he also was a friend.
Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
Sincerely, XXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (8 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Valerian root or St John's Wort can help.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again, thanks for asking a follow up question

For proper diagnosis of anxiety and panic attacks you should consider seeing a Psychiatrist. Detailed history and evaluation will help in making diagnosis of panic attacks. Some medical causes like hyperthyroidism, cardiac issues, vitamin B12 deficiencies, anaemia etc could present with such symptoms and will be ruled out in evaluation. Lorazepam is drug commonly used in anxiety and panic attacks. So if the physician is not agreeing to renew prescription then better to request him for referral to a psychiatrist.

Detailed evaluation will help in making diagnosis of anxiety and then with treatment your symptoms will reduce. If you have no drugs left then Valerian root, St. John's Wort etc could be tried. These are natural supplements and are available in most markets and have great efficacy in controlling anxiety and panic attacks.

Thanks. Take care
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 5193 Questions

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Suggest Supplements To Manage Anxiety

Brief Answer: SSRIs can help to treat the condition. Detailed Answer: Hi, thanks for asking from HCM for your health related doubts I can understand your concern. You have anxiety and panic attacks and a lot of treatment options are there for these disorders. You have been on Lorazepam and Tranxene and both of these drugs are benzodiazepines. These drugs are useful in controlling the symptoms of anxiety but are not definitive treatment of anxiety. The drugs can help to reduce symptoms only. Other drugs like SSRIs or SNRIs if used regularly help to control the symptoms and also help to treat the condition. Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, Sertraline etc are common SSRI drugs approved for treatment of anxiety disorders. The drugs if used regularly will help to treat the symptoms in about 4-6 weeks. For SOS use you can keep Lorazepam or other benzodiazepiens like CLonazepam in options. Supplements containing Omega-3-Fatty Acids, Vitamin B12, Folate etc are very helpful to treat the anxiety symptoms. These supplements help in increasing the effectiveness of medicines. So you can take these supplements for treatment of your condition. Most of these supplements are easily available in chemist shops. Regular use of Benzodiazpeines results in dependence and gradual dose reduction over 6-10 weeks can help to treat the condition. So by using the drugs I have mentioned you will see the improvement of symptoms and this will reduce the use of benzodiazepiens too. Please discuss with your doctor for these drugs. You are free to ask follow up doubts for more clarifications. Thanks. Take care