How long do you have to take anxiety medication? And discover how cognitive-behavioral therapy can prevent a relapse.

Many people feel that while medications from a pharmacy are synthetic, herbs are in some way a more natural alternative. It is certainly true that a range of plant products can be useful for mood and anxiety symptoms. However, the contrast of synthetic medications and natural herbs is too simplistic. For one thing, many medications were, in fact, originally developed from plants. And conversely, many herbs work in very similar ways to medications, and so have similar benefits and side effects. What is crucial to understand here is how very specific are the chemicals that help treat the mood and anxiety symptoms. To use the metaphor described above, there are only a few locks and a few keys known to turn off depression and anxiety .

How long will I need to take anxiety medication?

One of the main concerns that people have about taking medication is the question of how long they will need to be on medication. It is important to emphasize that the antidepressants are not associated with dependence and so can be stopped at any point in time. On the other hand, it should also be emphasized that discontinuing anxiety and depression medication too early is associated with a high risk of relapse. All too often, people feel better after taking 3 or 4 months of medication and so stop their medications at that point. Unfortunately, symptoms frequently return a few weeks later.

Three principles that need to be considered when taking psychiatric medications. First, anxiety medication should be continued for at least 6 to 9 months after symptoms have responded to treatment. This will lower the chances of relapse once the medication is no longer present. Second, antidepressant medication should be tapered gradually rather than discontinued abruptly. This not only avoids certain physical symptoms that can be seen after abrupt discontinuation of some antidepressants, but it also provides the person a chance to gradually accommodate to life without medication. Third, the use of cognitive-behavioral therapy has been shown to decrease the chances of relapse after medication discontinuation. Thus, it would be worthwhile learning the principles of this therapy prior to discontinuing medication, and making sure that these are applied during the discontinuation period.

Sources:

• SA HealthInfo Consortium, March 12, 2002
• National Institute of Mental Health

Further references / resources

• Food and Drug Administration (USA)
  HFI-40, Rockville, MD, 2087
  Tel: 1-888-463-6332, Internet: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
• Medicines Information Centre (South Africa)
  University of Cape Town, Dept of Pharmacology,
  Medical School, Observatory, 7925
  Tel: (021) 406 6280 / Fax: (021) 448 3202

Books about psychiatric medications

The Complete Guide to Psychiatric Drugs: Straight Talk for Best Results. Edward H. Drummond. John Wiley & Sons, 2000.

Consumer's Guide to Psychiatric Drugs. John D. Preston, John H. O'Neal and Mary C. Talaga. New Harbinger Publications, 2000.

The Essential Guide to Psychiatric Drugs(3rd ed.). Jack M. Gorman. St. Martin's Paperbacks, 1998.

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