Why are doctors so quick to prescribe antidepressants, but not anti anxiety meds?

Question

I have found that doctors are very willing to send you home with samples of prozac, lexapro, zoloft, etc even if you tell them you are NOT DEPRESSED.

I have spoken to several other people that have encountered this with their doctors also. I have told my doctor that I am going through a stressful time, and feel anxious and worry often.

Not depression.

I understand the fact that some anti anxiety drugs such as valium and xanax can be abused, and or addictive, but as a responsible adult it bothers me that my doctor will send me home with packets of drugs that are not for anxiety, and do nothing to help it.

Answer 1

Many of the antidepressants have been found to be helpful for anxiety disorders and phobias. They also don't have the risk of addiction as most of the anxiolytics.

Even though you may not be depressed, an antidepressant may be able to help relieve your anxiety without the risks of some of the anxiolytics.

The other benefit of antidepressants is that they treat the depression over a long term (full day) basis, rather than having to take a separate pill several times a day whenever you're feeling your anxiety rise. The disadvantage is that antidpressants often take weeks to work, whereas the anti anxiety meds work very quickly, but the effect doesn't last as long.

Perhaps you could comprimise with your doctor-agree to try the antidepressants, but request some anxiolytics for the short term until the antidepressant has time to begin working?

Answer 2

You answered your own question. Anti anxiety drugs are addictive and can be abused. Treatment for depression should be an antidepressant and therapy. That's it.

You should listen to your doctor. That's why they get the big bucks. They are diagnosing you correctly. When a person is depressed--VERY often they don't really think they are depressed. You are. Anxiety and stress is from depression. You don't have to be outwardly sad or crying to be very depressed. It comes out in people in many different ways. Please try the medication your doctor gave you and keep an open mind. If you believe it's not going to help you--it won't. Get some counseling and you will start to feel much better soon. I promise.

Answer 3

You are absolutely correct. I have been waving that flag for a long time. If you are experiencing situational stress/anxiety I highly recommend you see a therapist for stress management and relaxation techniques before ever taking meds. However, if you truly suffer depression for longer than one week, then stronger action is necessary. But that doesn't sound like your problem. You are right again about anti-anxiety drugs, they are highly addictive and ARE abused by many. Any Dr. who would prescribe a drug for any emotional/mental problem without a thorough workup or referral to a mental health practitioner should be reported to the local medical society. The sample drugs you are given in the Dr.s office are given to them by the manufacturer as a marketing ploy. Not all physicians are like this, but there have been media reports of kickbacks to some Dr.s from drug reps to push their product. That is illegal. I cannot say that I personally know of this happening, though. Find a good therapist first before the drug. That avenue has helped me a lot with anxiety.

Answer 4

Anti depressants do help with anxiety.
Many clinics receive more sample packs of them than they do for anti anxiety meds.
Are you against trying an anti depressant, or maybe you have and it didn't work? Do you want the Valium or xanax for a particular reason? Maybe it worked before?
It sounds like your feelings are hurt as you consider yourself a responsible adult and would like your Dr to prescribe to you what you want. I have to ask if you have an open dialogue with your Dr. or if you sit quietly and leave the office feeling upset you didn't get what you wanted? I'm suggesting that you may be able to communicate in a better way. If not, and you do and have then there are always other GPs. Look long enough and be convincing enough and you will get what you want eventually.

Answer 5

Some of the anti-depressants go hand in hand with anxiety. But if you feel that its just anixety I would strongly suggest seeking the help of a therapist. I was in the same spot you are in a little over a yr ago, I talked with a few people and did research. It wasn't until I saw a therapist that I realized I was also suffering from depression. Most GP's just ask you the basic questions and hand you the med's like they are candy. If you are truely serious about getting this under control, I suggest making an appoint with a therapist and going from there. From my experience my depression and anixety has been under control for the lasy yr with med's and seeing a therapist for the last yr. Best of luck to you!!!

Answer 6

Some anti-depressants do help with anxiety. If you are seeing a general practitioner, then ask to see a psychiatrist. GP's aren't usually the best doctor's to be seeing for mental issues. At least, that has been my experience. They don't seem to know enough about the drugs they are prescribing.

Answer 7

Stand your ground. For 9 years, I had every antidepressant that came along thrown at me for anxiety. They made me a manic insomniac because they didn't test me for bipolar disorder and bipolars can't tolerate antidepressants without being on a mood stabilizer. I also take klonopin for anxiety and panic and yes, it is addictive but it gets me out of the house. Antidepressants are for unipolar depression (depression only). High anxiety is a sign of something else going on, usually a mood disorder. I'm on Lamactil for the Bipolar II.

Answer 8

Thank the junkie who abuses the pills. So people who really need the medication cant get it without being eyed as a junkie self. Besides they get a big paycheck when they pump you full of antidepressants and you become a statistic. "1 in 8 americans battle with depression" (i dont know if it is really 1 in 8) Then you will need another med to counteract the antidepressant...and blah blah blah next thing yo know you are taking 5 meds that arent helping you cuz none of it is what you really need.

Answer 9

This is a great question.

Your family Physician should have recognized the differences between Depression and anxiety.

Medical protocol dictates who will treat the condition.

A psychiatrist typically treats depression and or anxiety. The prescription of anti anxiety medication is complicated, because they are "Controlled Substances".

You need to take control of your Medical Treatment. Ask your family Physician for a referral to see a Psychiatrist for an evaluation for anxiety.

Hope that this assists you. Chow.

Answer 10

The pills are not a magic. They don't fix the problem...they only help with the problem. If you are experiencing anxiety, it is important to be working on managing or changing behaviors that contribute to the cause of the anxiety. If all you are doing is depending upon pills, then you will never get over what ever is going on with you because eventually your body gets used to the medication and the pills stop working. But, if you have put other things in place, your dependece on the pills are lessened.