Brief Answer: Need to control anxiety 100% before stopping drugs Detailed Answer: Hello and welcome to HCM! I have read your query carefully and it says that you have anxiety disorders for which you are taking Xet CR daily and melzap on SOS basis ( which you have to take frequently) for past 9 months. The point that you still have anxiety and difficulty in various settings ( crowds, meetings , travelling , having hair cut, etc.) shows that the illness is still not completely controlled. To try to stop the medicine or even reduce it now will cause more difficulty. To stop the drug, one has to attain complete remission ( all symptoms free). you have not mentioned for how long you have been on 25 mg Xet CR, as if it is more than 2-4 weeks, it should be increased. Continuing with low dose of medication even for a long time will not bring desired results. It should be increased to 37.5 mg and later if needed to 50 mg (after monitoring the response). The need to take melzap also reflect that the illness is not sufficiently controlled. With adequate drug levels of Xet CR, the anxiety will become almost zero and there will not be any need to take melzap...then we can start the process of reducing Xet CR and finally stopping it. There is no need to feel hopeless as anxiety disorder is the commonest psychiatric problem and can be managed. In your case I would like to advice you following points which when done religiously (along with drugs) help in getting better fast- 1. walk 1/2 hour daily 2. include more salads and fruits in your diet 3. if you smoke or take alcohol- please stop using them 4. adding sprouts in any form in your meals has been seen to be quite helpful 5. walnuts and almonds are also good for brain functioning 6. try to learn deep breathing exercise & do it for 5-10 minutes two times a day, this is highly effective in handling even sever anxeity situations like: meetings and crowds # if you haven't, get thyroid levels done, as hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism is commonly seen to be associated with anxiety disorder and should be treated. so, please meet your doctor and discuss the above points. Wish you good health! please feel free to ask more questions for clarifictaion If you feel satisfied, kindly close the query and rate the answer Dr. Manisha Gopal MD Psychiatry

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