WHAT CAN BE DONE FOR MY CONSTANT ANXIETY? Ask The Doctor Dr. Leland Heller Biological Unhappiness WHAT CAN BE DONE FOR MY CONSTANT ANXIETY? Question: I’ve had daily anxiety, worry, with cycling panic attacks since I was seventeen, I’m now fifty-two. I’ve tried the SSRI’S and a few others but either didn’t help or side effects were too bad to stay on. Last 4 years has been .5mg Klonopin 3 times day. Controls the panic attacks but in stressful situation or crowds or if I have to speak or sing or someone is sick, anxiety still feels higher then it should be. Also concentration and focus on what someone tells me or what I am telling someone sometimes is hard. Do you know of a better drug that would handle these problems or should I try upping the Klonopin to 2-3mg a day? Dr. Heller’s Answer: SSRI’S frequently make the GAD worse, particularly the cognitive GAD (genetic worry). This diagnosis responds much better to BuSpar (buspirone). Once successfully treated with BuSpar (buspirone), SSRI’s such as Prozac (fluoxetine) and others can be used without increasing the anxiety. I go into this in more detail in the book “Biological Unhappiness.” Some individuals also have PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) – which can be worsened by BuSpar (buspirone). These individuals need Remeron (mirtazapine) to keep that under control while they are getting used to the BuSpar (buspirone), then the Remeron can be discontinued. Some individuals have to start low and go slow with BuSpar (buspirone) due to side effects, but this is not common. Once the anxiety disorders are corrected, you can look into ADHD for the concentration and focus problems. The criteria can be found at: http://pks.947.myftpupload.com/AD-H-Dcr.htm I also strongly recommend the book “Driven to Distraction” by Hallowell & Ratey to find out more about adult ADHD, which can be treated after the anxiety disorders are treated first. The Klonopin helps some, but is not as helpful as the BuSpar (buspirone) with an SSRI. The antipsychotic medications Zyprexa (olanzapine) and Abilify (aripiprazole) can be very helpful, although the Zyprexa (olanzapine) can cause significant weight gain. Some patients respond to Neurontin (gabapentin) and Lyrica (pregabalin), but the scientific literature is weak backing their usefulness. The GAD, panic, depression, and ADHD can co-exist. 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Ask the Doctor Home MENU: Screening Test “Ask the Doctor” (BPD)Borderline Personality Disorder Annual Updates Biological Unhappiness Disorders & Official Criteria Dr. Heller’s C.V. & Picture How Dr. Heller Got Involved If You Want to See Dr. Heller as a Patient Testimonials Table of Contents for the Book ‘Biological Unhappiness’ How to Order “Life at the Border” Why Read ‘Biological Unhappiness’? Goals AD(H)D and Relationships BPD, Bipolar or ADHD? Suicide What if BuSpar makes me anxious or ill? A Suicide Attempt Per Minute in the US Grandparents raising Grandchildren Information About Children What Signs are there that Someone May ‘SNAP’? TV & Cartoon Characters with Depression & Other Disorders Dr. Heller’s Office Website Dr. Heller’s Lectures Mentally Healthy People Retraining the Brain Today is a Gift Reviews Links Webrings Site Index Home Video DVDs now available! You can watch and listen to Dr. Heller in the comfort and convenience of your own home. Provides full explanations and treatment descriptions of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) – 90 minutes, other Biological Unhappiness disorders – 90 minutes. Click here to find out more about Dr. Heller’s educational videos. “Biological Unhappiness” “Open this book and it will open your mind. By combining proven medical procedure with hope and inspiration, Dr. Heller has made a significant difference in thousands of patients who had little hope for recovery. “Biological Unhappiness” contains critical information for those who have lost hope.”Zig Ziglar, motivational speaker, author, See You at the Top, Over the Top, Success for Dummies, Raising Positive kids in a Negative World. Dr. Leland Heller Dyslimbia Press, Inc. 1713 US Hwy 441 N, Suite E Okeechobee, FL 34972 863-467-8771 Email: Hours: M-Thu. 8:30AM-5PMFri. 8:30AM-12 Noon*(*During November through April, the office is open until 3PM on Fridays.) All material not explicitly credited otherwise is copyrighted © 1999-2011 Dr. Leland Heller. All Rights Reserved. May not be duplicated without the permission of Dr. Leland Heller or Dyslimbia Press. Biological Unhappiness, BiologicalUnhappiness.com, & Dyslimbia Press are trademarks of Dr. Leland HellerDesigned and/or hosted by the webmasters at: US-Webmasters.com (TM) Start here to find it FAST!(TM)