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How long you need to take medication
depends on many factors including the type of anxiety disorder, the presence of
other disorders or illness, and whether you've gone through a course of
psychotherapy. It also seems that the earlier the disorder started (e.g., age
10 or 11), the more chronic and tenacious the illness may be, and the more
likely medications might be needed long-term. Another factor that may suggest a
more persistent illness requiring medication is the presence of serious
psychiatric disorders among many close relatives.
Fortunately, as a result of
comprehensive research studies, physicians have guidelines that recommend the
length of medication usage for particular problems with anxiety. The good news
is that you do not need to make this call on your own. Let your prescribing
doctor and your therapist, if you have one, help you determine if and when you
are ready to discontinue your medications. Gradually decreasing the dosage
often makes it easier to wean off a medication, and sometimes, this is the only
safe way to go.
Further, there are psychotherapies
that have been shown to treat anxiety disorders effectively. In fact, certain
types of therapy have proven superior to medication in the long-term treatment
of some anxiety disorders (e.g., cognitive-behavioral therapy for panic
disorder). This may be because the skills learned in cognitive-behavioral
therapy help an individual cope with panic on his own. Moreover, these skills
are with him for the long-term and not discontinued like medications.
In pursuing psychotherapy for the
treatment of anxiety, the individual should be prepared to assume
responsibility for tackling the problem. Neither a prescribing physician nor a
psychotherapist offers a magic remedy to remove anxiety. Ultimately, the
patient must face her fears and demonstrate to herself that she will survive in
spite of them.
It is not unusual to stop medicines
and go many years without a return of anxiety symptoms, only to have them
appear again. Do not despair. This often stems from severe stress or the
development of another mental or physical disorder. With proper evaluation and
treatment—a course of medications and/or psychotherapy—it is common to see
anxiety symptoms diminish again.
Source: The Anxiety Answer Book by: Laurie A. Helgoe, PhD, Laura R. Wilhelm, PhD, Martin J. Kommor, MD
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