If fluoxetine is no more working for anxiety and over thinking as it used to work earlier, does it make sense to continue it, if already taking at 60 mg?

Question

It does not make any sense continuing the same, if it does not work. Consult any psychiatrist in person or online and get it changed. Good luck.

Prof. Jagadeesan M.S. · Accepted Answer

It does not make any sense continuing the same, if it does not work. Consult any psychiatrist in person or online and get it changed. Good luck.

Aaradhana Reddy · Answer

Dear Lybrate user, it must be hard going through all this. With regard to medication it's best to consult your psychiatrist. But i'll suggest that you go for psychological counseling/therapy as well. For a holistic treatment and results a combination of medication and therapy work best. Although medications will take you half way, therapy can help you manage and cope with your anxiety, overthinking, ocd, insomnia etc. With certain strategies and techniques therapy will help you manage all your concerns and help you become self-reliant, and you can then, also reduce your dependence on medications as well. Especially cognitive behaviour therapy is proven and widely used to treat various anxiety disorders. Please consult a psychologist. If you need help you can contact me as well.

Saranya Devanathan · Answer

Dear lybrate-user, you seem to be having constant doubts on your tablets. I have answered many times. It is a part of your ocd. Please continue 60 mg and consult your psychiatrist again. She/he may add another 20 mg or increase fluoxamine or add cbt with erp. Ocd needs many therapies, more dosage and long term to treat. It makes sense to continue fluoxetine so that you are adjusted to 60 mg and another 20 mg can be added.

Saul Pereira · Answer

You should talk to your doctor to see if he wants to change the medication. Do discontinue the medication because that has to be done in a gradual manner, even if it has not worked. But my advice to you is to seek the help of a counselor in tandem with the medication. Chemical intervention does not help you with skills or tools to deal with your anxiety. Besides, there are underlying problems which can be ideally addressed with therapy. Anxiety has all to do with fear and your inability (or so you would tend to think) to handle the same. Fear is based on looking too much into the future and imagining things that usually do not tend to happen (usually 90% of your fears will not happen). You need to change your perception of the fearful stimulus then you can change your response to the fear. The first one is the best and will preempt the need for the second. If you are already far gone into the reaction mode, then you need both responses to counter the attack. The way we see things in life (like half empty or half full glass) is very dependent on our attitude. Attitude may have developed over many years but fortunately can change in a matter of sustained choices made and acted up on now. Accordingly, you choose to see things as either threatening or as an opportunity. The opportunist will be positive and work with the situation to make good out of it. The individual who sees it as threatening, will, out of fear, try to avoid/run away from the situation or react with anxiety. Yes, self-belief does impact it too, but you can see that prior to that, perception will tarnish the belief system too. Here, you can see that all the resolution lies in just changing your perception/attitude, even if it is against odds. Changing your response, despite the perception, is building up of your reserves and resources to handle any contingency that life throws up at you. And life throws up situations quite regularly and heavily. For this you need to develop a fit mind and body: the former, by meditation and mind exercises; and the later, by exercises and proper diet. You need good sleep too. Included in the development of the mind is the handling of emotions, in your case, fear. These changes will give you a handle on life and your perceptions and responses. Prayer is really powerful, if you are a spiritual person. Repeat some personally framed affirmations that are geared to calming you down and building confidence. Do a personality development course too. Anything that develops you personally will be of great assistance in building resilience. The combination of medication with therapy will ideally help you address your anxiety adequately.

Urmil Bishnoi · Answer

Dear user when we are aware about our problem we are able to control but we have to control it in a proper way. If you don’t want to take medication for life time then please wake up yourself, medicines are not a perfect solution for mental health, you have to work on your own, your will power, your mind and thoughts. But due to certain reasons if you are on antidepressants you have to take some extra care of yourself. I don���t know what are the circumstances under which you are taking medicines, I want to know the whole details about your disorder. But I must say don���t depend on the medicines and don���t make it a habit for future. You need counseling session for a better control on this disorder and medicines. Medicines are not the only solution, counseling is a best option for you so that you could better understand yourself and save yourself from the side effects of medicines. Please call and discuss your problem in detail and then i���ll be able to help you better. My contact no is mobile.