What Should Be Used To Treat GAD Disorder. SSRI Or Benzodiazapine?
Question: I'm curious, which would you choose to treat GAD disorder a SSRI or benzodiazapine? Why?
Hi XXXXXXX
For GAD, Benzodiazepines are useful for short periods, initially, at the start of treatment with SSRI. They (benzodiazepine) relieve anxiety then and there (like taking paracetamol brings down temperature but donot treat the cause of fever).
SSRI is the mainstay drug treatment for GAD along with other psychological therapies and has to be taken for longer period . Its effect is seen after few weeks of starting SSRI. This time is to bring serotonin balance to normal in brain.
Hope your query is clarified
For GAD, Benzodiazepines are useful for short periods, initially, at the start of treatment with SSRI. They (benzodiazepine) relieve anxiety then and there (like taking paracetamol brings down temperature but donot treat the cause of fever).
SSRI is the mainstay drug treatment for GAD along with other psychological therapies and has to be taken for longer period . Its effect is seen after few weeks of starting SSRI. This time is to bring serotonin balance to normal in brain.
Hope your query is clarified
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar