i have anxiety problem and panic attack the panic attack just come of no where and my heart start bumping fast and i am fear don't know whats about but very scary, and i can not concentrate on doing anything or wanting to do anything. I am a very stressful person and alot of drugs and alcolho before but now i quit and still have the anxiety problem and the chemical in my nervouse sysytem is messing with me everyday and i don't know what to do all the doctor gave me is some ativan and i don't think that helps so can u give me some suggestion preciate it!!1

-- billy jeung (bmwplyc@aol.com), July 15, 2001

Answers

Coping with anxiety disorders

Use of this response constitutes agreement with the following disclaimer. I do not provide counseling or consultation via the Internet. I do, however, address issues such as anxiety disorders in general. For anyone with symptoms of anxiety, I suggest, first, to be sure to have a thorough medical work up to determine if there are any medical factors contributing to and/or causing the anxiety symptoms. If this has been ruled out, then it might be preferable to seek out a licensed psychiatrist to evaluate the need for medication and monitor one closely if taking medication. If one is unable to see a licensed psychiatrist, then it would be preferable to at least be monitored closely by a licensed physician in this area. Ativan (the brand name for Lorazepam)is a benzodiazepine. See http://www.mentalhealth.com/drug/p30-a04.html for more information. At this site, it states "Lorazepam should not be administered to individuals prone to drug abuse. Observe caution in patients who are considered to have potential for psychological dependence. Lorazepam should be withdrawn gradually if it has been used in high dosage." Finally, from my experience, a combination of both psychiatry and psychotherapy is often most effective with anxiety disorders.

-- Jeffrey T. Guterman, Ph.D. (jeffrey@guterman.net), July 15, 2001.