HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Suggest Treatment For Short Term Memory Loss, Anxiety Attacks And Depression

default
Posted on Tue, 25 Aug 2015
Question: Parents moved to assisted living.dad has dementia.he can manage his own hygiene etc.my mother is super stressed and depressed over this.she has developed short term memory lost rapidly.she is on Prozac and has xanax if needed.she is 83 and have a appt with a geriatric psychiatrist.Anxiety attacks not sleeping etc.any suggestions?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (56 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
change of drug needed.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to HCM.
I understand your concerns for your parents.

She has developed short term memory loss, has anxiety attacks and inability to sleep.

I think paxil (paroxetine) would be a better choice for her. This SSRIs is mildly sedative and a good anxiolytic. This would help her more than prozac, in my opinion.

I understand that stress of caretaking is quite high. If SSRIs are not able to control her anxiety, I think taking xanax 0.25 daily or atleast on alternate days, can be considered.

You can discuss this with her doctor.

Hope my suggestions are helpful for you.

Feel free to ask further.
Take care.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Shubham Mehta

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 2144 Questions

Ask me a question
premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Ask a Neurologist
Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
backtotop2
Suggest Treatment For Short Term Memory Loss, Anxiety Attacks And Depression

Brief Answer: change of drug needed. Detailed Answer: Hello Welcome to HCM. I understand your concerns for your parents. She has developed short term memory loss, has anxiety attacks and inability to sleep. I think paxil (paroxetine) would be a better choice for her. This SSRIs is mildly sedative and a good anxiolytic. This would help her more than prozac, in my opinion. I understand that stress of caretaking is quite high. If SSRIs are not able to control her anxiety, I think taking xanax 0.25 daily or atleast on alternate days, can be considered. You can discuss this with her doctor. Hope my suggestions are helpful for you. Feel free to ask further. Take care. Thanks.