which is best drug for depression/anxiety

been taking alprazolam ( generic for xanax) for about 4 years....for the last several months, anxiety has gotten worse, and very depressed...dr. gave me choice of changing to klonopin or adding selexa to my alprazolam.....anybody have any advice on which would be better....

[redding1]

I would take the anti-depressant and change to Klonopin. My doc told me the Klonopin is better because it stays in you blood longer. You might find you won't need the benzo if the AD works for your anixety. You WILL need to take one until the AD kicks in and that's for sure. I still take my Klonopin but take .25 almost daily. I will stop that soon though (I hope). I'm kind of using it as a muscle relaxer instead of for anxiety at this point. I've had terrible muscle tension that I'm still working on.

[luke1691]

no no non no! xanax is a VERY dangerously addictive drug! the withdrawal symptoms can be devastation! please you must ease yourself off xanax immediately, all xanax does is mask your anxiety temporarily it does NOT cure anxiety or depression. it's like putting a band aid on a wound that needs stitches. There are many different types of drugs out there to help, may i suggest lexapro, lexapro is an antidepressant used for treating depression and anxiety. talk to your doctor about lexapro. if your health professional prescribed you xanax for longer than a few months then i suggest you look for another GP. sorry to be so upfront but i know the dangers of this drug.

[luke1691]

also to add to my last comment, lexapro is a non addictive but long term drug for the treatment of depression and anxiety and it takes about 4-6 weeks for full effects to be noticed. depending on your condition i would start off on 10mg a day and see how that works for you. if your not to sure then do some research about it. and also research the dangers of xanax.

[new_daddy]

I just want to say that I am trying to get off Lexapro, read my comments on "Lexapro and memory loss" anyways, I am trying to find a better choice...something that works for me and doesn't damage something else...

[lynn57]

Celexa is an excellent anti depressant/ anxiety med.  I take Celexa and Klonopin.  You should be able to slowly change from Xanax to Klonopin.  I switched from ativan to Klonopin with no problem.  That's the first change I would make.