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Taking Xanax For Depression And Anxiety. Feeling Shaking Inside Head, Hands And Legs. Side Effect?
Posted on
Wed, 6 Feb 2013
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Thu, 7 Feb 2013
Answered on
Wed, 27 Feb 2013
Last reviewed on
Question : Hello Dr,
I started having these head shaking three weeks ago without any reason. My head shakes specially in the morning and when I am concentrated on something (working in front of my computer, reading, etc.) No hands or legs shaking, only the head in a no no motion. I've been taking an antidepressant (Celexa 30 mg) for 4 months now to treat depression and anxiety problems + xanax 0,75/day . I thought it was the medication and my psychiatrist told me to reduce the medication and eventually to stop it to see if this condition is caused by the celexa. I am taking now 5mg of celexa and the shaking are still here. If this is due to the medication does it take time to go away or do you think it's another problem causing this head tremors and I should consult a neurologist.
Thanks for your help
XXXXXXX
I started having these head shaking three weeks ago without any reason. My head shakes specially in the morning and when I am concentrated on something (working in front of my computer, reading, etc.) No hands or legs shaking, only the head in a no no motion. I've been taking an antidepressant (Celexa 30 mg) for 4 months now to treat depression and anxiety problems + xanax 0,75/day . I thought it was the medication and my psychiatrist told me to reduce the medication and eventually to stop it to see if this condition is caused by the celexa. I am taking now 5mg of celexa and the shaking are still here. If this is due to the medication does it take time to go away or do you think it's another problem causing this head tremors and I should consult a neurologist.
Thanks for your help
XXXXXXX
Hello
Thanks for your query. I understand your concern with the head shaking. Lexapro is escitalopram an effective antidepressant as well as anxiolytic and xanax is a sedative anxiolytic. Both these drugs are standard medication prescrbed for anxiety disorders. They do not result in the head shaking symptom that you report of. Further these symptoms are of 3 week duration whereas you are on medication for last 3 months. Hence I would suggest you to consult a neurologist separately for assessment and treatment of these involuntary movement s. Hope you found the information useful.
Regards
Dr Sundar
Psychiatrist
Thanks for your query. I understand your concern with the head shaking. Lexapro is escitalopram an effective antidepressant as well as anxiolytic and xanax is a sedative anxiolytic. Both these drugs are standard medication prescrbed for anxiety disorders. They do not result in the head shaking symptom that you report of. Further these symptoms are of 3 week duration whereas you are on medication for last 3 months. Hence I would suggest you to consult a neurologist separately for assessment and treatment of these involuntary movement s. Hope you found the information useful.
Regards
Dr Sundar
Psychiatrist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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