There are different types or classes of antidepressants that impact chemical messengers in the brain. Known as neurotransmitters, these messengers are responsible for a variety of bodily functions and feelings, including sleep and mood regulation, anxiety levels, and motivation. Common classes of antidepressants used to treat anxiety-related disorders include:. Studies have shown that antidepressants are effective in reducing or eliminating panic attacks and improving anticipatory anxiety and symptoms of agoraphobia.
Many people will not see a significant improvement for several weeks. Studies have generally shown that the full benefits of antidepressant therapy may take as long as 8 to 12 weeks. However, this timeline is variable among individuals. Some people may experience increased nervousness or anxiety at the beginning of antidepressant therapy. To reduce this possibility, your doctor may start you at a very low dose that is gradually increased.
This list is only some of the side effects you can face while taking an antidepressant. You may experience one or more of these side effects, or you may not have to deal with any of them. These side effects typically subside and become much more manageable over time.
If side effects are persistent and become difficult to manage, you can always consult your doctor about the possibility of changing the dosage or medication to better fit your needs. Your doctor may also prescribe a benzodiazepine anti-anxiety medication along with your antidepressant, especially at the beginning of treatment.
Benzodiazepines provide quick relief, allowing for a faster sense of symptom alleviation. However, these medications have the potential for dependence and abuse. To reduce this risk, your doctor may take you off the benzodiazepine once the antidepressant reaches its full benefit.
If you and your doctor believe that you have had an adequate trial of antidepressant therapy without significant improvement of symptoms, a medication change may be made. For the vast majority of panic disorder sufferers, the right medication will be found to improve or eliminate panic symptoms. Learn the best ways to manage stress and negativity in your life. Goodwin GM. Sleep, energy, or appetite may show some improvement within the first weeks.
Improvement in these physical symptoms can be an important early signal that the medication is working. Depressed mood and lack of interest in activities may need up to weeks to fully improve. Depression and certain other psychiatric disorders are themselves associated with increases in the risk of suicide.
This risk may persist until significant remission occurs. In short-term studies, antidepressants increased the risk of suicidality in children, adolescents, and young adults when compared to placebo. Short-term studies did not show an increase in the risk of suicidality with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults beyond age Adults age 65 and older taking antidepressants have a decreased risk of suicidality.
Patients, their families, and caregivers should be alert to the emergence of anxiety, restlessness, irritability, aggressiveness and insomnia. All patients being treated with antidepressants for any indication should watch for and notify their health care provider for worsening symptoms, suicidality and unusual changes in behavior, especially during the first few months of treatment. Last Updated: January This information is being provided as a community outreach effort of the College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists.
This information is for educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. This information contains a summary of important points and is not an exhaustive review of information about the medication.
Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified medical professional with any questions you may have regarding medications or medical conditions. Never delay seeking professional medical advice or disregard medical professional advice as a result of any information provided herein.
The College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists disclaims any and all liability alleged as a result of the information provided herein. Search Close Menu. Sign In About Mental Illness. About Mental Illness Treatments. About Mental Illness Research.
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Advocacy Crisis Intervention. If you stop taking it suddenly, you may notice withdrawal symptoms, including:. This overview of the use of Lexapro for mental health conditions does not cover every possible outcome of taking this medication. If you have been prescribed this medication by your doctor, be sure to follow the instructions carefully. If you have additional questions, they are best answered by a medical professional.
Learn the best ways to manage stress and negativity in your life. Santarsieri D, Schwartz TL. Antidepressant efficacy and side-effect burden: A quick guide for clinicians. Drugs Context. Food and Drug Administration. Lexapro label. Updated January National Alliance on Mental Illness. Escitalopram Lexapro. Updated December Yasui-Furukori N, Hashimoto K, et al. Characteristics of escitalopram discontinuation syndrome: a preliminary study.
Clin Neuropharmacol. Efficacy of escitalopram in the treatment of social anxiety disorder: A meta-analysis versus placebo. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol. Long-term use of escitalopram and a high level of carcinoembryonic antigen. Korean J Fam Med. Escitalopram for the treatment of major depression and anxiety disorders.
Expert Rev Neurother. A comparative review of escitalopram, paroxetine, and sertraline: are they all alike? Int Clin Psychopharmacol. National Library of Medicine. Updated February 15, Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for VerywellMind. At any time, you can update your settings through the "EU Privacy" link at the bottom of any page.
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