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Suggest Treatment For Severe Depression, Anxiety And OCD
Question: Hello
My 19 year old daughter is suffering from depression, anxiety, panic attacks, OCD and has experienced fear in competing causing her to quit competitive ice dancing as she had severe panic each time she tried to compete and expressed phobia of going into the ice rink.
She is currently taking Zoloft 100 mg; and still feels depressed and anxiety ridden.
Currently someone suggest she add Abilify to her daily medication.
Not sure if this is the correct direction to go. She certainly does not need to gain weight and lower her self image even more than it already is; and she wants to continue collegiate skating and compete on her university figure skating team and to do female body building to do fit competitions. I fear Abilify might inhibit these goals.
What is your recommendation given Zoloft is not solving her issues.
My 19 year old daughter is suffering from depression, anxiety, panic attacks, OCD and has experienced fear in competing causing her to quit competitive ice dancing as she had severe panic each time she tried to compete and expressed phobia of going into the ice rink.
She is currently taking Zoloft 100 mg; and still feels depressed and anxiety ridden.
Currently someone suggest she add Abilify to her daily medication.
Not sure if this is the correct direction to go. She certainly does not need to gain weight and lower her self image even more than it already is; and she wants to continue collegiate skating and compete on her university figure skating team and to do female body building to do fit competitions. I fear Abilify might inhibit these goals.
What is your recommendation given Zoloft is not solving her issues.
Brief Answer:
Please provide more details
Detailed Answer:
Hello, Welcome to Health Care Magic
I can understand your concern.
OCD is a disorder that need proper attention and medicines in high doses. Zoloft is Sertraline and the drug is a SSRI drug. In most cases of OCD SSRI drugs like Fluoxetine or Fluvoxamine are the drugs of choice. If her symptoms are persistent even with Zoloft then these drugs can be tried.
Fluoxetine doesn't cause weight gain and help to reduce the OC symptoms if used regularly in most individuals with in 4-6 weeks of starting treatment. Please elaborate her symptoms in detail if possible so that we can proceed further regarding treatment.
Thanks, take care. Please provide details of her symptoms in follow up, like symptoms, onset and duration.
Please provide more details
Detailed Answer:
Hello, Welcome to Health Care Magic
I can understand your concern.
OCD is a disorder that need proper attention and medicines in high doses. Zoloft is Sertraline and the drug is a SSRI drug. In most cases of OCD SSRI drugs like Fluoxetine or Fluvoxamine are the drugs of choice. If her symptoms are persistent even with Zoloft then these drugs can be tried.
Fluoxetine doesn't cause weight gain and help to reduce the OC symptoms if used regularly in most individuals with in 4-6 weeks of starting treatment. Please elaborate her symptoms in detail if possible so that we can proceed further regarding treatment.
Thanks, take care. Please provide details of her symptoms in follow up, like symptoms, onset and duration.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Her symptom are:
depression: self-doubt, lack of self-confidence, lack of energy, sleeps too much, difficulty focusing; lack of interest in things she used to enjoy
anxiety; extreme panic attacks; fear of going into the ice rink to train, difficulty breathing, inability to control her emotions
OCD hair pulling,
Takes Zoloft; helps a little but still has issues; including increased panic attacks and phobia concerning getting hurt and afraid to train athletically.Here is the history:
mild depression and anxiety; OCD and hair pulling
Was prescribed Zoloft 50 mg; complained of bouts of depression and increased to 100 mg of Zoloft
Says Zoloft helps to a point but still complains of cycles of depression
experiences tiredness; wanting to stay in bed; loss of interest in things she used to enjoy
was competitive athlete but anxiety attacks and panic attacks have caused too much stress and won't compete on elite level due to these issues; has phobia of going into the ice rink to practice and experiences 4-5 panic attacks per week
Dr has recommended adding Abilify to her Zoloft but is worried about weight gain
she still desires to do collegiate skating and female body building to do fit competitions;
Would you agree on adding the Abilify or changing the SSRI
depression: self-doubt, lack of self-confidence, lack of energy, sleeps too much, difficulty focusing; lack of interest in things she used to enjoy
anxiety; extreme panic attacks; fear of going into the ice rink to train, difficulty breathing, inability to control her emotions
OCD hair pulling,
Takes Zoloft; helps a little but still has issues; including increased panic attacks and phobia concerning getting hurt and afraid to train athletically.Here is the history:
mild depression and anxiety; OCD and hair pulling
Was prescribed Zoloft 50 mg; complained of bouts of depression and increased to 100 mg of Zoloft
Says Zoloft helps to a point but still complains of cycles of depression
experiences tiredness; wanting to stay in bed; loss of interest in things she used to enjoy
was competitive athlete but anxiety attacks and panic attacks have caused too much stress and won't compete on elite level due to these issues; has phobia of going into the ice rink to practice and experiences 4-5 panic attacks per week
Dr has recommended adding Abilify to her Zoloft but is worried about weight gain
she still desires to do collegiate skating and female body building to do fit competitions;
Would you agree on adding the Abilify or changing the SSRI
Brief Answer:
Drugs should be changed
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for providing details
First of all I'd like to tell you that the symptoms you've described suggest Depression as well as OCD. Compulsive hair pulling is a common symptom in anxiety. If she is not responding to Sertraline then other drugs can be added.
Abilify is Aripiprazole and the drug is an antipsychotic drug. In low doses it helps to boost action of antidepressants and anti anxiety drugs also. The drug is relatively metabolic safe drug and doesn't cause much weight gain so no need to worry. Even if she is prescribed Abilify the drug can be given without worries. Other option is to change the drug. As I've mentioned earlier also Fluoxetine or Fluvoxamine are better drugs for anxiety and OC symptoms and help to control symptoms of anxiety and depression. You can consult her doctor for proper reevaluation and prescription of these drugs.
Thanks, still have more doubts please ask again. Please excuse me for late reply.
Drugs should be changed
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for providing details
First of all I'd like to tell you that the symptoms you've described suggest Depression as well as OCD. Compulsive hair pulling is a common symptom in anxiety. If she is not responding to Sertraline then other drugs can be added.
Abilify is Aripiprazole and the drug is an antipsychotic drug. In low doses it helps to boost action of antidepressants and anti anxiety drugs also. The drug is relatively metabolic safe drug and doesn't cause much weight gain so no need to worry. Even if she is prescribed Abilify the drug can be given without worries. Other option is to change the drug. As I've mentioned earlier also Fluoxetine or Fluvoxamine are better drugs for anxiety and OC symptoms and help to control symptoms of anxiety and depression. You can consult her doctor for proper reevaluation and prescription of these drugs.
Thanks, still have more doubts please ask again. Please excuse me for late reply.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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