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Brain Physics » Treatment » I am currently being treated by a Psychologist (therapist) and M.D. for Agoraphobia and Panic Disorder (with ADHD) I am going to see my M.D. soon, and want to ask for a slight increase in the meds that seem to help manage my symptoms.How do I approach?

I am currently being treated by a Psychologist (therapist) and M.D. for Agoraphobia and Panic Disorder (with ADHD) I am going to see my M.D. soon, and want to ask for a slight increase in the meds that seem to help manage my symptoms.How do I approach?

Submitted by Josiah1820 Mon 08/16/2010

There are two classes of medications that are typically prescribed for panic disorder. These include SSRIs, which are fairly benign and helpful, and benzodiazepines, which are effective, but addicting and make you drowsy. I think that an SSRI can be a good option, so if you need to increase that, simply tell your clinicians that you feel your symptoms could improve more with a higher does. However, if you are taking benzodiazepines I generally discourage their use, especially for panic disorder. Panic disorder responds very well to focused cognitive behavioral therapy. I have seen patients whose panic resolves in just two or three sessions (although ten sessions is more typical). If you have seen your therapist for ten sessions or more and your panic is not improving, then that is the real problem. You need to find a therapist who specializes in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for problems like panic. CBT is more effective than medications for this kind of problem. However I am not your doctor and only a psychiatrist is qualified to recommend psychiatric medications for you.

If you need more ADHD medicine -- typically a psycho stimulant – then I would recommend you tell your psychiatrist that you are still having trouble focusing and would like to try a higher dose. Research is showing that ADHD is best treated by medication in most circumstances.

Best of luck,
Dr. Williams

Monnica T. Williams, Ph.D., Clinical Psychology
No Cost OCD Treatment: http://www.ocdproject.org

 
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