HomeAnswersPsychiatryanxietyI have been suffering from anxiety and depression for the last 20 years. What medications should I ask my doctor to prescribe?

What medications can be taken for chronic anxiety and depression?

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Published At December 11, 2023
Reviewed AtDecember 11, 2023

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I am a 52-year-old and I suffer from anxiety and depression. I have been on Paroxetine for over 20 years. About 8 years ago it stopped working and I tried other SSRIs and SNRIs but they did not work so I went back to Paxil and it eventually worked again, which I took for a while. I live in a country where they do not prescribe benzos. My main symptoms of anxiety are anticipatory anxiety where I get nausea, diarrhea, and lack of appetite for many days ahead of a social or work event. Even something as little as going for lunch with friends, etc. It was well under control up until the last two years and it has been getting much worse, and I get very low mood as well. I went from 20 mg to 30 mg of Paxil about six months ago, but it did not help. I will upload my paramagnetic profile. I cannot use some medications or should not because of it like Effexor, etc. I would say I am obsessive but not compulsive and may have a bit of ADHD as well. My question is what medications should ask my doctor to prescribe for me? I have been told to increase the dosage of Paxil to 40 mg but in the past, it did not help and made me feel worse when I did that. So I am reluctant to try, but open to it if you strongly advise. My pharmacogenetic profile may be the reason why higher doses do not work. We do not have Paxil CR in the country where I live but I could try and source from overseas if you feel that would be better. For situational anxiety, I tried the beta blocker Propanol but it gave me diarrhea.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Yes, the CR preparation will help better.. dose of Paroxetine can be increased to 37.5 mg in CR preparation are some newer drugs like Vortioxetine, which have lesser side effects and better potency. Apart from this, you can also start doing regular Pranayam and meditation they will also help you. JPMR has shown brilliant results in controlling anxiety. Dosa recipes are not available in your country but they may be a good alternative. Some supplements like threonine have also shown some results in some individuals.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I meditate every day and yet that does not help. What is JPMR? If I cannot get the CR version do you feel an increase to 40 mg would help or what alternative or adjunct medicine would you recommend?

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

JPMR is Jackson's progressive muscle relaxation. It is a guided relaxation technique. You can get it online. Follow the instructions given there. Yes, increasing the dose to 40 mg should help. Adjunctive medicines could be Bupropion 150 mg, Divalproex sodium 250 mg, antipsychotic medication in very low doses like Aripiprazole 2 mg, Olanzapine 2.5 mg, Risperidone 0.5 mg, and Amisulpride 25 to 50 mg. All of these can be added with Paroxetine.

Thank you.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Vandana Patidar
Dr. Vandana Patidar

Psychiatry

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