Depression/anxiety drugs?

Question

I've been taking Remood and Rivotril to fight depression and anxiety. I need to get off Rivotril as it is addictive. Also, Remood is not really stopping my rapid moodswings. I have a psychologist to discuss this with but any suggestions on new/effective drugs that work well against the above mentioned problems? thanks in advance!

Thanks for all the answers all of you!

- I am seeing a psychologist now usually once a fortnight for one hour. Together with the therapy she prescribes me the drugs. I used to go to a psychiatrist but that was always a two minute procedure - doing fine? good. new prescription. that's all, bye.

- it sounds like a lot of people are happy with Zoloft. I was really interested in this one, will discuss it with my doc.

Answer 1

Remood (Paxil generic Parxoetine HCl sold in Europe)
Rivotril (Klonopin generic Clonazepam also sold in Europe)

These drugs are used for depression and anxiety. It is difficult in this type of post to see if what you are really describing is Bi-polar disorder and you are being treated for the depression side by using the Remood. If it is bi-polar disorder then you have to be careful that you are not being pushed into a "hypo-manic" stage by its use. The constant mood swings as you describe them may be a good indication that this is a strong possibility. As with any SSRI (selective serotonin uptake inhibitor) the clonazepam can make it work better than expected by interfering with its elimination from the body.

I have several patients on clonazepam and since it lasts so long in the body, the addictiveness from a quick rush and decline of the drug is not seen. (one dose isn't eliminated for several days)

I am not going to suggest what to use because that is the job of your doctor who KNOWS your history and is familiar with what has been tried before. The best I can do is to tell you to report your concerns to your doctor and how you are feeling. There are many other things to use for depression and or bi-polar, but the main problem I have seen is an over all desire for the patient to want to believe they can manage life medication free. After stumbling many times with major life disruptions I can say that your life will be better on medication than without it. Save yourself the severe mental anguish from loss of your job, failed relationships, family struggles and stay on track with his program.

If you are not making any headway then also discuss this with him. Please understand that even under the best scenario not all symptoms will be erased by any regimin...but there is an optimum one for you. Sometimes it is just a dose adjustment is all that is needed...othertimes, we need to look at other classes of drugs to improve control.

Please don't look at a drug as being addictive as your concern for abandoning it. If you are following the doctor's orders and NOT taking more than authorized to use then the word addictive really should have very little meaning to you. It is not harder to get off of at therapeutic doses used for 1 month versus 1 year of constant use. Many people blame the drug as being addictive because they can't function without it. A more realistic view is they don't function well without it because it works in controlling the brain dysfunction it was meant to help. It is easier to blame the drug for why life isn't right rather than admit they do not have control over their thought patterns.

Keep a diary of your daily activity and use a scale of 1 to 10 on how you are feeling. Keep track of your sleeping habits and personal conflicts. This type of information for your psychiatrist is invaluable in evaluating treatment. Try to put some organization in your life as far as hours awake and WHEN you go to bed. Turn off the distractions and think about joining a support group to help sort out issues based on the disease and conflicts in life.

Also try to avoid stimulants such as coffee, tea, chocolates, and cigarettes as they tend to push the intensity of stress, mood swings and panic disorder.

Hope that helps,
Bob

Answer 2

I have been suffering from post partum depression for the past one year when I gave birth to a baby boy. I couldn't stop thinking about how my husband loves him more than me and how things might be better if he wasn't born at all. Thus, I stayed away from him because I knew that I might do something I will regret for the rest of my life.

Almost instantly I went to a therapist and convince them that I need help. Among other things, I've tried herbal supplements and other book to treat depression but nothing works like the Depression Free Method. So now I'm proud to say I'm one of the happiest mother in the world. My husband loves us both very much and I thank the Lord for the blessing he gave us.

Depression Free Method?

Answer 3

I have depression, anxiety and mild obsessive-compulsive disorder and a low dose of zoloft seems to work a bit. If I could I would up the dose (I am nursing). I was on prozac and didn't do much about anything for me. What I like about Zoloft is that it is not addicting. I had to get off it when I was pregnant and no side effects or withdrawal at all.

Answer 4

A good medication to treat both anxiety and depression (now, remember, everybody is effected differently by different chemicals) would be Paxil or Zoloft.

Yah, you want to get off the addictive ones. They're only a band-aid on a much larger wound.

Answer 5

I have anxiety (GAD) - General Anxiety Disorder along with depression.

I take Cymbalta (60mg) in a.m. and Tranxene. Tranxene is an old anti-anxiety med. but it is the only that works for me.

However, with the mood swings, you may want to inquire about ambilify. I took it for a while and it worked very well. I had to go off of it for a different medical problem. So I would ask you doctor about that one.

Answer 6

Do you see a psychologist or psychiatrist? Psychologists generally don't prescribe drugs; you need a doc. Lexapro and Xanax work for my friend, although they aren't 'new.' I have been good on Zoloft, also an older drug.

Answer 7

I have read some litterature about panic attacks. But they allways seem to have a more scientific approach and that is nothing I need in my struggle to survive those horrible panic attacks. This is a "hand on" and very practical book. I felt it was written to me. I am sure that you are going to feel the same.

Joe Barry writes exactly how I think. The examples are perfectly described. And the method is genius. I recommend this book and thanks Joe Barry for writing it. It changes your life

Answer 8

Look For Paxtine it's an anti-Depressant But it work Great with anxiety also.

Answer 9

Xanax and Celexa?