Posted by Alan on October 11, 2002, at 19:06:10
In reply to Re: AD's vs. Bzds for Anxiety disorders - Pharmrep » Alan, posted by johnj on October 11, 2002, at 8:54:20
> Alan,
>
> Could you tell me how I know if my disorder is anxiety as the primary under lying issue or depression? They seem to be morphed into one at times and even my doc is not sure. If you know somewhere I could get a clear dx on that I would be very happy. Until that time I will try what is out there and lexapro stands a good chance. If pharmrep knew all the answers to your questions I would go see him for a dx
> johnj
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I wouldn't recommend a pharmecutical representative or any health care professional try to apply the "one size fits all" mentality that seems to gloss over the importance of treating an individual as an individual case. If they were truly interested in you as an individual, they wouldn't use AD's as the default med for anxiety....they would offer anxiolytics (bzds) AND AD's on equal footing...giving you choice....not taking away your freedom to choose.The simplest and most revealing way would be try either an AD or an anxiolytic (bzd) in seperate clinical trials in monotherapy form. This is called "Listening to the Drug" and what many psychopharmocologists use to dignose.
If you receive more symptom relief with the AD then the chances the depression is primary and is driving the anxiety - and vice versa.
Simple tool written about extensively and the basis for Peter Kramer's book "Listening to Prozac" that came out about 10 or so years ago.
Alan
poster:Alan
thread:109458
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021006/msgs/123276.html