Posted by olysi79 on December 20, 2004, at 13:16:10
In reply to Re: Social Anxiety and Abilify, posted by banga on December 18, 2004, at 17:26:14
Ghostm
I don't think these meds really exert a "benzo effect" for chronic anxiety, they change thought processes which in turn reduces anxiety. Perhaps her docs is trying to get the person to "change the channel" so to speak, not sedate them. People often say that they use these meds for relief from agitation and anxiety associated with Bipolar disorder and get continuous relief from it. I also believe that it can help with anxiety disorders such as OCD and social anxiety because it really does help with the thinking process itself.
I say she should stick with the Risperdone not for it's anxiety effects, but rather how it can help her thinking processes when dealing with social situations, and that alone will help reduce anxiety.
> I was given risperidone (another atypical antipsychotic) in the hospital to get my depression under control. Not only did it do that, but my chronic anxiety was GONE. Due to Risperidone's side effects I switched to Geodon (yet another atypical AP) and it resulted in the same thing--it worked wonders for mmy anxiety!! Unfortunately, it stopped having this effect in about 6 weeks; I remember quite a few people on this board complaining about the same thing--an atypical AP working great for anxiety but then petering off in a few weeks. So I no longer take it. But now I have ben off of it, and if I get into deep trouble with the anxiety, I will take some and I bet it would help.
> For my case, I consider it a great temporary help for anxiety.
> I am almost certain this is why your doc prescribed it to you--
poster:olysi79
thread:133136
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20041217/msgs/432061.html