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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Benadryl for anxiety/panic?
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.
Benadryl for anxiety/panic?
by N.B., May 19, 2000 12:00AM
I have mitral valve prolapse syndrome. I get occasional anxiety/panic attacks. I don't need meds. all the time only for when I get these attacks. I have heard from someone that their Cardiologist recommended taking Benadryl when they feel an anxiety attack coming on. Can Benadryl be taken for anxiety/panic attacks? If so, does it have to be prescription or can it be over the counter, and what type of Benadryl (the allergy kind?)Also, what would be the side effects of Benadryl? I also take hyacosycamine for IBS. Thanks for any information.
Doctor's Answer
by HFHS MD-JM, May 19, 2000 12:00AM
N.B.,
Benadryl, is a sedating antihistamine, that is not indicated for the treatment of panic attacks or anxiety in general. It is sometimes used as a sleep aid and occasionally used to treat side effects associated with antipsychotic agents. It sounds like you have an anxiety disoder secondary to a medical condition and treatment of that condition is the most important factor. A benzodiazepine like Xanax may be more appropriate. It may be very helpful for you to have a formal psychiatric evaluation to clarify this situation further. Please discuss this in more deatail with your personal physician.
Sincerely,
HFHS MD-JM
Benadryl, is a sedating antihistamine, that is not indicated for the treatment of panic attacks or anxiety in general. It is sometimes used as a sleep aid and occasionally used to treat side effects associated with antipsychotic agents. It sounds like you have an anxiety disoder secondary to a medical condition and treatment of that condition is the most important factor. A benzodiazepine like Xanax may be more appropriate. It may be very helpful for you to have a formal psychiatric evaluation to clarify this situation further. Please discuss this in more deatail with your personal physician.
Sincerely,
HFHS MD-JM
I take it maybe once a week and it is wonderful to calm me. I only take a small amount .05 mg, it works and doesn't make me sleepy.