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Suggest Treatment For Recurrent Anxiety And Depression

Posted on Fri, 9 Dec 2016

Question: Hello - I'm a 68 year old male and have struggled off and on with anxiety attacks. I have heard about Kava Kava as a calming supplement for this but was wondering about its safety (IE liver issues) I'm am presently taking B complex, multi vitamin, baby aspirin and Flomax to help my prostatitis symptoms.my nerves? Would it be safe to take Kava Kava to help calm my nerves?

Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Consultation

Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks for your question.

Kava kava is a supplement which claims to be effective in treating anxiety and depression. It has never been successfully demonstrated to be better than placebo in large randomized controlled trials. Furthermore, supplements are unregulated, meaning they can contain any number of harmful substances in them, including mercury, often manufactured in China. It can interact with other medications unpredictably. I do not recommend you take this supplement.

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Dr Sheppe

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (9 minutes later)

Thank you for your honesty and this information. Are there any other over the counter supplements/teas that you would recommend?

I've heard some interesting things about a supplement for anxiety called Zenapin. Can you comment on this supplement please.

Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Followup

Detailed Answer:
All supplements have the same problem: no supplement has never been successfully demonstrated to be better than placebo in large randomized controlled trials. Furthermore, supplements are unregulated, meaning they can contain any number of harmful substances in them. This also applies to Zenapin. If you want evidence-based treatment, I would try an SSRI like escitalopram, or cognitive behavior therapy.

Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.

In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private web address below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private web address: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (9 hours later)

Again thank you for your honest reply. I was hoping to find a non prescription, holistic supplement that would have no medicinal side affects like alprazolam (xanax) that I was on for an extended period and took me some great and difficult time to get off of. I will look into the medicine that you mention above and if I have further questions, I will contact you directly.

Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (10 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Followup

Detailed Answer:
You're very welcome. I'm always here at my direct web address on this site for further questions:

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Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee