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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Misdosage of Paxil?
Answered by
Roger Gould, M.D. - Mental Health, Wellness
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD), bipolar disorder, dementia, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic, personality disorders, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, stress, transitions, and work problems.
Misdosage of Paxil?
by anglbebe12, Mar 31, 2004 12:00AM
I am very concerned with my boyfriend's mother. She has been using Paxil for about a year; she was prescribed a dosage even lower than what most people start off with. I believe she has generalized anxiety and depression.
I honestly don't know how well the medication has been for her because I have known her for five years and I have never really noticed any changes in her personality or general outlook. However, lately she has gotten worse. She has been acting more snippy and short with me and my boyfriend lately. She is more aloof and cold and I don't know what to do.
The problem is that she refuses to consider increasing her dosage. She is convinced that doing so will make her a "drug addict." However, I see no point in taking a drug that isn't even helping her if she won't take the right dosage.
My question is, do you think taking the wrong dosage is doing more harm than good? How important is it to take the right amount? Is a little bit "good enough" or is does one need to take the right about of Paxil in order for it to work properly?
I honestly don't know how well the medication has been for her because I have known her for five years and I have never really noticed any changes in her personality or general outlook. However, lately she has gotten worse. She has been acting more snippy and short with me and my boyfriend lately. She is more aloof and cold and I don't know what to do.
The problem is that she refuses to consider increasing her dosage. She is convinced that doing so will make her a "drug addict." However, I see no point in taking a drug that isn't even helping her if she won't take the right dosage.
My question is, do you think taking the wrong dosage is doing more harm than good? How important is it to take the right amount? Is a little bit "good enough" or is does one need to take the right about of Paxil in order for it to work properly?
Doctor's Answer
by Roger Gould, M.D., Apr 01, 2004 12:00AM
, Apr 01, 2004 12:00AM
It depends on her sensitivity as well as the dosage you are talking about . In general, a subclinical dose is entirely ineffective....but look to the situation, maybe she has some unexpressed grievances that need to be opened up.
the dosage of paxil she was given is probably the lowest amount possible. i forgot how much, but it was something like 15mg to 30 mg. i don't remember what it was. What do you think?