Albyit,
Thank you for your question; let me make sure I understand it correctly.
- You've been taking Effexor for two years, prescribed for an anxiety disorder.
- You are wondering if the Effexor is bringing on some "anxious tendencies"?
- You also alluded to Effexor being a "depression medication", and wondering if it induces anxiety disorders?
Is this all correct?
Effexor is a medication that treats both depression and anxiety disorders. It is classified as an "antidepressant", specifically an SSNRI (selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), that work to improve mood disorders including panic disorder, anxiety disorders and depression.
In other words: although Effexor is called an "antidepressant", it is prescribed for individuals who have anxiety disorders, and would not cause/induce a previously non-existent anxiety disorder. Your doctor would not prescribe you a drug for a diagnosis that you have (anxiety disorder) if s/he thought this drug would "cause" your disorder (even though you already had it to begin with). If what you are saying is that this antidepressant is not helping to improve your anxiety disorder, or is actually worsening the symptoms, please read below:
The Effexor should not increase your symptoms of depression or anxiety, and if it is not working or you feel that your symptoms are worsening, you need to call your doctor immediately to talk about changing the dose, changing medications and/or adding another type of treatment option (including counseling in addition to medication). Effexor does have side effects that need to be evaluated, and these do include the worsening of anxiety or depressive mood.
- Can you tell us what "anxious tendencies" you are experiencing?
- Are you able to call your prescribing doctor first-thing Monday morning, to discuss alternative treatment options, and/or to begin talking with a psychologist?
Comment Reply
Albyit,
Thank you for your question; let me make sure I understand it correctly.
- You've been taking Effexor for two years, prescribed for an anxiety disorder.
- You are wondering if the Effexor is bringing on some "anxious tendencies"?
- You also alluded to Effexor being a "depression medication", and wondering if it induces anxiety disorders?
Is this all correct?
Effexor is a medication that treats both depression and anxiety disorders. It is classified as an "antidepressant", specifically an SSNRI (selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), that work to improve mood disorders including panic disorder, anxiety disorders and depression.
In other words: although Effexor is called an "antidepressant", it is prescribed for individuals who have anxiety disorders, and would not cause/induce a previously non-existent anxiety disorder. Your doctor would not prescribe you a drug for a diagnosis that you have (anxiety disorder) if s/he thought this drug would "cause" your disorder (even though you already had it to begin with). If what you are saying is that this antidepressant is not helping to improve your anxiety disorder, or is actually worsening the symptoms, please read below:
The Effexor should not increase your symptoms of depression or anxiety, and if it is not working or you feel that your symptoms are worsening, you need to call your doctor immediately to talk about changing the dose, changing medications and/or adding another type of treatment option (including counseling in addition to medication). Effexor does have side effects that need to be evaluated, and these do include the worsening of anxiety or depressive mood.
- Can you tell us what "anxious tendencies" you are experiencing?
January 3, 2010 - 2:17pm- Are you able to call your prescribing doctor first-thing Monday morning, to discuss alternative treatment options, and/or to begin talking with a psychologist?
This Comment
Reply