How Anxious Are You?

Anxiety

Do you suffer from anxiety in everything you do daily. I am not talking about the kind of anxiety from giving a presentation in front of a room full of managers. We all have that kind of anxiety. I am describing the type of anxiety that comes from every social interaction/decision made on a daily basis. There are people who get anxious attempting to enter a bus, going into a supermarket or even driving through a fast food drive thru. That kind of anxiety shapes how you live life. Luckily for us, there are prescription medications that can treat and restore a chemical imbalance. One such medication is Lexapro which is also known as escitalopram oxalate.

What Is Lexapro?

Lexapro is an SSRI (selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor) which was primarily used to treat depression by increasing the level of serotonin in the brain. It was designed to help alleviate symptoms of depression such as loss of interest in activities,  feelings of guilt or worthlessness, and lack of concentration. Along the way, scientists discovered that Lexapro can also ease such symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder,  restlessness, difficulty concentrating, and irritability. There have been some cases where Lexapro was used to treat hot flashes, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and panic disorder. Currently, generic Lexapro is available for use.

Lexapro Side Effects

The side effects of Lexapro vary but are similar to most anti-depressant medications. First let us begin with the black box warning from the FDA due to a increase risk in suicidal thoughts. This drug is banned from use for children under 12 because of the mood changes associated with its use. Next on the list are symptoms such as headaches, tiredness, sleep changes, impulsiveness, hallucinations, aggressive behavior and feelings similar to electric shock. Imagine walking around and suddenly getting shocked and not because you put your finger in the electrical outlet.

Getting the correct Lexapro dosage is important so you have to follow the doctors orders. The dosage will be slowly scaled up and there is a correlation between Lexapro and weight gain. So you need to stay active even though the side effects want you to lounge around. In addition to the side effects, you have to avoid certain drugs such as MAO inhibitors, tramadol or tryptophan which can cause serious side effects. Once you no longer need Lexapro, the doctor needs to slowly scale down your medication to avoid withdraw symptoms.

Have you used Lexapro for anxiety treatment?