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Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

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over the past few year i have been having panic attacks and general anxiety when around some people.

i try to exercise but when my heart rate gets up high that when i tend to have most of my panic attacks.

i start to feel like headed and out of breath then i panic and it gets bad enough that i have been to the hospital a few times, had ekgs, ultrasounds and monitors for my heart.

i thought it to be my thyroid at one point but turns out it wasn't.

after a few years i found out its panic attacks that i have been having.

as of lately I've been feeling quite strange though. everything feels fake like it is a dream. i did some searching and found that it could be depersonalization or derealization.

whatever it may be its scaring me, i also feel like i am drunk. i experienced it once while i smoked weed. then in a few days it went away.

i haven't smoked weed in over a year. but now i feel this way everyday.

my doctor has given me SSRI celexa for my panic attacks, i have not started taking these yet though as I'm not a fan of using perceptions unless i really need too.

thanks for your help, greatly appreciated.

Category: Psychiatrist

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Dr. Srikanth Reddy
Category: Sexologist
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Expert:  Dr. Srikanth Reddy
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Hello,

Thanks for your consult at DoctorSpring.com.

I have gone through your question in detail and I can understand what you are going through.

I understand from your information that you have panic attacks and generalized anxiety disorder. The fact that everything appears like a fake thing or like a dream is infact de-realization and that this symptom is cause of generalized anxiety disorder.

I understand your apprehension for the treatment but try to understand the fact that anxiety disorder if present for a long time will lead to continuous brain damage and hence it needs to be treated. The medications used for anxiety disorder have become very safe and there is almost negligible side-effects if any. Some safe drugs which can help you are escitalopram, sertraline, venlafaxine etc.

Even then if you have apprehension towards the side-effects of the medications, then you should try cognitive behavioural therapy. They are supposed to be as efficacious and medicines. They involve 20 min weekly sessions for 5-6 weeks and they try to bring about a change in the way one thinks about any event.

Hope I am able to answer your concerns. If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.

Wish you good health,
Kind regards
Dr. Srikanth Reddy M.D.


Patient replied :

What are your thoughts on Celexa as I have them already and have been suggested to take 10mg a day as a start?

How soon would I start to feel the benefits from this drug?

Exercise has been a huge part of my life and just isn't anymore because I panic when I'm there, would this drug help me with that?

If this drug is something that will help me I will take it even though I don't like the idea of it.

Thanks again, this help to relieve some stress,

Brad


Expert:  Dr. Srikanth Reddy
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Hello,

Celexa is a good drug and the speciality is that it is free of significant adverse effects.
It generally shows significant effects on 2-3 weeks time. It will help in reducing the panics as well.
You will be fine.

Just have patience.

Regards
Dr. Srikanth Reddy

Expert:  Dr. Srikanth Reddy
View Profile


Hello,

Celexa is a good drug and the speciality is that it is free of significant adverse effects.
It generally shows significant effects on 2-3 weeks time. It will help in reducing the panics as well.
You will be fine.

Just have patience.

Regards
Dr. Srikanth Reddy

Dr. Srikanth Reddy
Category: Sexologist
Experience: 
Doctor of Medicine (MD), Psychiatry Residency Program,2001 – 2012
M.B.B.S,Mahatma Gandhi Institute Of Medical Sciences, Sevagram

Certificate Course in sex Therapy and Counselling, Sexology and Counselling, A
Sexology,Medikon Sexual Sciences, Mumbai

Training in Advanced Neurology at a leading corporate hospital (CARE hospital) in Hyderabad

Child Psychiatry Training in National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences, Bangalore

Sex Therapy and Counsellingat MEDIKON Sexual Sciences, Mumbai.
Dr. Srikanth Reddy and 4 other Medical Specialists are ready to help you

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