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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by mdertinger on February 25, 2002, at 11:47:35
I've been seeing comercials that saw Paxil helps "generalized anxiety". What does that mean and does Paxil really help that condition?
I have a family member who has been complaining for a while that he can't sleep. He feels like his brain doesn't shut off and he is constantly worrying. He feels like he is catnapping all night. He is also somewhat depressed. Would these be signs of generalized anxiety?
Posted by paulb on February 25, 2002, at 18:26:40
In reply to Does Paxil really work?, posted by mdertinger on February 25, 2002, at 11:47:35
Paxil could be effective for GAD, its certainly been tried and tested. Im sure theres a list of criteria that you could tick off one by one that indicates if someone has GAD but basically the name speaks for itself: the person is generally anxious.
If you want a list then go to:
http://www.dircsa.org.au/pub/docs/gad.htm
I would add that the benzodiazepines are really effective for GAD and I think some may argue that should be their primary use. Of course they are potent hypnotics and anti-panic drugs but on a benzo GAD just disappears.
If you want to try and find out more about GAD I would look into a medication called Buspirone, which is a partial agonist at the 5-HT1a post-synaptic receptor, the receptor linked to 5-HT GAD. Its licensed for GAD but no good for panic but may help depression. It takes a while to work and doctors encourage their patients to stick with it.
http://www.buspar.com/symptoms.htm
If you want to read about Effexor I would search the archives under the heading "GAD, A New Hope" or "Is anxiety WORSE than DEPRESSION for you" and follow the links.
Paulb
Ive got a surprising amount of information on GAD. I posted a while back some information that Effexor was proven to be very effective for GAD and many are excited about its use for this condition.
Posted by JohnX2 on February 25, 2002, at 18:45:57
In reply to Does Paxil really work?, posted by mdertinger on February 25, 2002, at 11:47:35
Paxil is what is know as a Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor.
There are quite a few of these medicines also including
Zoloft, Celexa, Luvox, Prozac. Basically these medicines
help to increase the brain chemical serotonin's conductance in the brain.
It is thought that low serotonin conductance can lead to
many neurological dysfunctions including sleep disorders,
anxiety, and depression. So it is very common for people
who are depressed to also have problems with sleep and
anxiety. Your friend should see a doctor to discuss the matter.
There is help available.-JOhn
> I've been seeing comercials that saw Paxil helps "generalized anxiety". What does that mean and does Paxil really help that condition?
>
> I have a family member who has been complaining for a while that he can't sleep. He feels like his brain doesn't shut off and he is constantly worrying. He feels like he is catnapping all night. He is also somewhat depressed. Would these be signs of generalized anxiety?
Posted by BobS. on February 25, 2002, at 20:06:49
In reply to Re: Does Paxil really work? » mdertinger, posted by JohnX2 on February 25, 2002, at 18:45:57
Get a diagnosis from a good clinician and if your problem is purely anxiety, do not go the SSRI route. I just spent 10 years dealing with them and am finally SSRI free. BZDs are what I take and they work. BTW, I took Paxil the worst of the SSRIs. See the British Medical Journal, 2/2/2002 on the FDA and GlaxoSmithKline.
This is the end of the thread.
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