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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
waiting period
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.
waiting period
by Jimmy1965, Aug 01, 2006 12:00AM
I'm currently seeing a psychologist for Anxiety and depression. I'm the first to admit that you should not do it all with just meds because meds have been very frustrating for me. However, my psychologist has me doing some congnitive behavioral excersise's and they seem to help. My psychologist recomended that I try Lexapro or Cymbalta for my anxiety (which is more GAD) and depression. We'll I decided to try the Lexapro. I've been on Zoloft for 2 months. 50mg for 6 weeks and 75mg for two weeks. I started on 5mg of Lexapro today and my Dr still wants me to continue with the 75mg of Zoloft until Friday then he will taper it down to 50mg. He's doing this very slowly. My question is: Going from one SSRI drug to another, What is the waiting period? Is it still 4-6 weeks before I start seeing results from the Lexapro or will I see the results sooner since Zoloft and Lexapro are both SSRI medications. My point is that I'm not patient and I dont like the idea of waiting another 4-6 weeks.
Thanks,
Jimmy
Thanks,
Jimmy
Doctor's Answer
by Roger Gould, M.D., Aug 02, 2006 12:00AM
, Aug 02, 2006 12:00AM
There should be little or no waiting period, and the way to manage that is by gradual reduction of the zoloft while increasing the Lexapro. Cymbalta is not recommended for anxiety, only depression.
I started feeling better so fast that I wondered if I was really depressed in the first place and if I even needed the medication. But I knew in my heart I did, because I went through the depression 2 times before and I suffered with the symptoms for several weeks before I finally got some help; so I know I needed it, but I was just amazed at how fast I felt better. But remember, everyone is different. Keep up with the counseling, I seen a psychiatrist and counselor for 18 months, I am now depression and anxiety free and also medication free as of Febuary.