How long should you take SSRI for anxiety?

It's usually recommended that a course of SSRIs continues for at least 6 months after you feel better, to prevent your condition coming back when you stop. However, if you've experienced previous episodes of depression, a 2-year course may be recommended.


How long should you stay on antidepressants for anxiety?

It's usually recommended that a course of antidepressants continues for at least 6 months after you feel better, to prevent your condition recurring when you stop. Some people with recurrent illness are advised to carry on taking medicine indefinitely.

Do you have to take anxiety medication forever?

7) Do I have to take my anxiety medication for life? Not always. It depends on your symptoms and how controlled they become over time. As mentioned, if you're taking an antidepressant, it may take a few weeks before your symptoms improve.


Does anxiety go away with SSRI?

Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs):

They can relieve anxiety symptoms and help reduce the symptoms of depression that often accompany anxiety disorders. It usually takes 2 to 6 weeks for SSRIs to start reducing the anxiety.

How long do SSRIs increase anxiety?

More than 100 million people worldwide take selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as Prozac and Zoloft, to treat depression, anxiety and related conditions, but these drugs have a common and mysterious side effect: they can worsen anxiety in the first few weeks of use, which leads many patients to stop ...


SSRIs: How They Can Help Depression & Anxiety, Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors | Stanford



How long is the average person on SSRI?

It's usually recommended that a course of SSRIs continues for at least 6 months after you feel better, to prevent your condition coming back when you stop. However, if you've experienced previous episodes of depression, a 2-year course may be recommended.

Are SSRIs OK long-term?

And luckily, as long as the benefits of the medication outweigh the potential side effects, there's no strong evidence that long-term use of SSRIs poses any major problems. “These medications have been around for decades,” says Dr. Jin Hee Yoon-Hudman, a psychiatrist and medical advisor at Minded.

Do you go back to normal after SSRI?

In time, the brain readjusts and people should experience a return to their normal state. If depressive symptoms do arise and gradually worsen, it's best to consult a psychiatrist or doctor, if they don't improve within a few weeks or if they become severe.


Is anxiety caused by too much serotonin?

They found that serotonin produced by these cells is a signal to other neurons in the circuit, leading to an increase in anxiety. Giving mice an SSRI has the same effect on this brain circuit as putting the animals in a fearful situation: Serotonin levels rise and anxiety-like behaviors increase.

What SSRI is best for anxiety?

SSRIs and SNRIs are often the first-line treatment for anxiety. Common SSRI brands are Celexa, Lexapro, Luvox, Paxil, and Zoloft. Common SNRI brands are Pristiq, Cymbalta, and Effexor XR. Pros: They are effective for a lot of people and they have a solid safety profile.

Is it OK to take antidepressants for life?

For people with chronic or severe depression, medication may be needed on a long-term basis. In these cases, antidepressants are often taken indefinitely. That is, in part, because depression is not an illness that can be cured.


Can you ever get off antidepressants?

To minimize the risk of antidepressant withdrawal, talk with your doctor before you stop taking an antidepressant. Your doctor may recommend that you gradually reduce the dose of your antidepressant for several weeks or more to allow your body to adapt to the absence of the medication.

Will my anxiety return when I stop taking the medication?

Rebound anxiety happens when you stop taking the medication and your symptoms return, often with greater intensity than before you started taking it. Often, this rebound mainly involves physical symptoms, but you could also notice increased feelings of worry, irritability, and fear.

How do you know when to stop taking antidepressants?

Stopping antidepressants suddenly is not dangerous but you could get withdrawal symptoms or become unwell again if you make a sudden change. If you can, stop your antidepressant when you have felt better for the last six months on medication. Plan in advance to cut down your dose gradually.


Is it worth taking antidepressants for anxiety?

If you have a form of anxiety or phobia, an antidepressant could help you feel calmer and more able to deal with other problems. It could also help you feel more able to benefit from other anxiety treatments, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).

How long do most people stay on antidepressants?

Clinicians usually recommend that people continue taking antidepressants for about six months after they begin feeling better. Although it is tempting to stop taking the medication as soon as you feel better, abruptly stopping will greatly increase your risk of relapse.

Is anxiety a chemical imbalance?

But researchers don't know exactly what causes anxiety disorders. They suspect a combination of factors plays a role: Chemical imbalance: Severe or long-lasting stress can change the chemical balance that controls your mood. Experiencing a lot of stress over a long period can lead to an anxiety disorder.


Is anxiety caused by a lack of serotonin?

Serotonin plays several roles in your body, including influencing learning, memory, happiness as well as regulating body temperature, sleep, sexual behavior and hunger. Lack of enough serotonin is thought to play a role in depression, anxiety, mania and other health conditions.

How do I know if serotonin is too high?

Signs and symptoms include:
  1. Agitation or restlessness.
  2. Insomnia.
  3. Confusion.
  4. Rapid heart rate and high blood pressure.
  5. Dilated pupils.
  6. Loss of muscle coordination or twitching muscles.
  7. High blood pressure.
  8. Muscle rigidity.


How do you safely get off an SSRI?

A main approach is reducing the dosage very gradually under the supervision of your doctor. This can take weeks and sometimes months. You may be able to use the pills you have or you may need different doses or preparations prescribed.


How long does it take the brain to recover from an SSRI?

Those who took antidepressants in higher doses for a longer time have more intense symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms typically persist for up to three weeks. The symptoms gradually fade during this time. Most people who quit taking their antidepressants stop having symptoms after three weeks.

Do SSRIs eventually stop working?

If you feel like your antidepressant has stopped working, you're not alone. It's common for a medication that once worked wonders to become ineffective, especially if you've been taking it for a long time. Symptoms return for up to 33% of people using antidepressants — it's called breakthrough depression.

Do people stay on antidepressants for years?

Many people with depression continue taking antidepressant drugs for months or even years after their symptoms have resolved. This so-called maintenance therapy aims to reduce the risk of relapse.


What happens if you take antidepressants for years?

Specifically, weight gain seems to be a common long-term risk, especially the medications that affect serotonin levels. This could be due to the fact that serotonin is associated with an increase in appetite. There is also a risk of higher blood sugar levels and diabetes with taking antidepressants long-term.

Do SSRIs have negative long-term effects?

During long-term SSRI therapy, the most troubling adverse effects are sexual dysfunction, weight gain, and sleep disturbance.