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Suggest Treatment For Anxiety After Suffering A Stroke
Question: I had a stroke 8 months ago and have no physical deficit but I have incredible anxiety and guilt. I have suffered the anxiety approximately a month after the stroke but it has taken a definitive change lately with severe guilt anxiety over the last month or so dragging up historical things which have never worried me but now they taking on enormous significance. Do you think it is the last stage of my anxiety. I have to try and trust the judgement of my family. What else can I do?
Brief Answer:
its increasing but its completely manageable.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have read your query & I can see that you are really disturbed by your present state of mind....
So,the most important thing right now is to accept that this is an illness - a mood disorder which has build up after the neurological event ( and its quite common thing seen in clinical practice; so you are not the only one who had this bad ecperience...).
It definitely started with anxiety but now I think you have developed sadness and associated guilt. The best part is that still you can see that there is no need for you to worry but you can help your self.. that is the :common sense is still intact.
Your family should help and motivate you for treatment else this will increase... and it is not the last stage of anxiety according to my clinical judgement.
you are taking three drugs to help you sleep..diazepam and temazepam are benzo and third is mirtazapine ( anti anxiety drug which also helps sleeping and increases appetite.).
You havent told me some important information which are required to proceed further , so,please tell me-
1. What is the dosage of mirtazapine you are taking ?
2. Since how many days are you taking mirtazapine?
3. Do you feel sad offlate and have anhedonia as well (means that do you are unable to enjoy life and its various activities like before?)
4. Is there still sleep disturbance & dosage of diazepam and temazepam?
5. What kind of sleep problem you have presently ( if you have ) initiation or maintenance?
6. Is there any past or family history of anxiety or depression?
7. What is your cardiac status? Do you have hypertension or diabetes or any comorbidity?
So,actually I need a detailed reply coz we must use safe drugs which dont make you prone for any other attack.
And please dont worry, you are compeltely manageable..and will surely get well. We just need to check and shuffle treatment.
Wish you good health
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry
its increasing but its completely manageable.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have read your query & I can see that you are really disturbed by your present state of mind....
So,the most important thing right now is to accept that this is an illness - a mood disorder which has build up after the neurological event ( and its quite common thing seen in clinical practice; so you are not the only one who had this bad ecperience...).
It definitely started with anxiety but now I think you have developed sadness and associated guilt. The best part is that still you can see that there is no need for you to worry but you can help your self.. that is the :common sense is still intact.
Your family should help and motivate you for treatment else this will increase... and it is not the last stage of anxiety according to my clinical judgement.
you are taking three drugs to help you sleep..diazepam and temazepam are benzo and third is mirtazapine ( anti anxiety drug which also helps sleeping and increases appetite.).
You havent told me some important information which are required to proceed further , so,please tell me-
1. What is the dosage of mirtazapine you are taking ?
2. Since how many days are you taking mirtazapine?
3. Do you feel sad offlate and have anhedonia as well (means that do you are unable to enjoy life and its various activities like before?)
4. Is there still sleep disturbance & dosage of diazepam and temazepam?
5. What kind of sleep problem you have presently ( if you have ) initiation or maintenance?
6. Is there any past or family history of anxiety or depression?
7. What is your cardiac status? Do you have hypertension or diabetes or any comorbidity?
So,actually I need a detailed reply coz we must use safe drugs which dont make you prone for any other attack.
And please dont worry, you are compeltely manageable..and will surely get well. We just need to check and shuffle treatment.
Wish you good health
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
Answered by
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