NetWellness Anxiety and Stress Disorders

Hives

Nicholas Votolato RPh BCPP — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 22:10:00 EST

Question: Can a long perod of time a month of high stress cause hives?

Answer: Periods of anxiety certainly can manifest itself in the form of a dermatological reaction. If this is severe or chronic in nature consider a medical evaluation.

Ask an Expert: Nicholas Votolato RPh BCPP, Anxiety and Stress Disorders

Anxiety which I can`t control

Nicholas Votolato RPh BCPP — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 16:10:00 EST

Question: I face a problem which friends and family regard it as insignificant and says that its a limitation in mind. I dont believe so. I am not strong. Whenever i pick something heavy, my hands shiver. People who I know ask why do I shiver so much. When they ask me to hold out my hand, its never still...th . . .

Answer: Some of the things that you are describing are not inconsistent with an anxiety disorder. Other individuals (family and friends) at times do not realize the significance of anxiety symptoms and how they are so troubling for many patients because the seem to be functioning is . . .

Ask an Expert: Nicholas Votolato RPh BCPP, Anxiety and Stress Disorders

Paroxatine and alcohol

Nicholas Votolato RPh BCPP — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 06:09:00 EST

Question: i am about to start taking paroxatine for depression and panic attacks, before i was taking prozac and drank socially at weekends with friends.will i still be able to do this with paroxatine

Answer: Of course it is never possible to recommend the use of alcohol in individuals experiencing difficulties with mood or anxiety symptoms. Despite this patients have used modest amounts of alcohol with paroxetine and fluoxetine. I think you must be made aware that even modest amounts of alcoho . . .

Ask an Expert: Nicholas Votolato RPh BCPP, Anxiety and Stress Disorders

Feeling of urination and anxiety

Nicholas Votolato RPh BCPP — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 11:09:00 EST

Question: My husband was in a recent car accident and suffered severe whiplash and a concussion. He has been out of work for almost 2 months and has been going to PT twice a week. Recently he has told me that it feels like he is "wetting" himself. He feels like he is actually urinating and that his pants are . . .

Answer: Without knowing more details I would recommend getting an evaluation for this as a potential neurological symptom before I would consider this to be of a psychiatric origin.

Ask an Expert: Nicholas Votolato RPh BCPP, Anxiety and Stress Disorders

Depression or anxiety?

Nicholas Votolato RPh BCPP — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:07:00 EST

Question: I was waking with stomach problems last November and I thought I might have been drinking too much(although I never had a hangover) so I decided with my family doctor to detox. This meant a lot of benzodiazepines and abstinace. Now I am still "sick" but I feel anxious and have been on libr . . .

Answer: This is difficult to determine given so many variables. It is possible that there may need to be a tapered off of these medications over a longer period of time. I would recommend working with your physician to determine an agreed upon treatment plan which may take three to six months in durati . . .

Ask an Expert: Nicholas Votolato RPh BCPP, Anxiety and Stress Disorders

Withdrawal from seroxat

Nicholas Votolato RPh BCPP — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 04:06:00 EST

Question:

I have been taking seroxat 20 mg once a day (paroxetin) for 4 months because of panic attacks. The fact is that I was in a stressfull period of life (baby, divorce, work, no time for any kind of relaxation...) I live in a country where psychotherapy is not available to everyone. I felt much bette . . .

Answer: Unfortunately it is difficult to understand from your question without the quality and quantity of the symptoms that warranted the initiation of paroxetine and any concurrent medications. Both of these things have implications as to the recommended course of discontinuation. If you are determined to . . .

Ask an Expert: Nicholas Votolato RPh BCPP, Anxiety and Stress Disorders

Stress causing MIGRANE Headaches

Nancy Elder MD — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 11:06:00 EST

Question: About 9 years ago my wife and I experienced a very stressful period. Our sons were in a car accident and with one of the sons it was really touch and go. My question has to do with my wife shutting off her tears back then to "be strong" for everyone. Still 9 years later she cannot cry. By . . .

Answer: It certainly sounds like your wife could be suffering from post traumatic stress disorder. I would not focus on "crying" -- I would encourage you to think about more important things about how she and your family are doing. The VA website, the National Center for PTSD states there are&nb . . .

Ask an Expert: Nancy Elder MD, Anxiety and Stress Disorders

Xanax

Nancy Elder MD — Thu, 14 May 2009 08:05:00 EST

Question: what is the best medication to take for anxiety ? The doctor has me on xanax, and Im afraid to get addicted. Plus I hear its only good for short term. My anxiety is long term. I`ve had it for years. Also, what the difference between panic attacks , anxiety and stress? Thank you so much!!!

Answer: Like is true in much of medicine, there isn't one "best" medicine for anxiety. This is because there are multiple types of anxiety disorders, individuals are different in the way they react to medications, and individuals may have more than one illness and take other medications that must all . . .

Ask an Expert: Nancy Elder MD, Anxiety and Stress Disorders

Norepinephrine elevations

Nicholas Votolato RPh BCPP — Sat, 09 May 2009 19:05:00 EST

Question: I was really stressed at worked due to social anxiety, it esculated into panic, I got put on Lexapro 10mg and the first day I was through the roof over stimulated and didnt sleep, I read maybe a sign of hypomania, I then lowered the dose down to 2.5 for 2 months and during the two months I felt wors . . .

Answer: Your situation appears to be more complicated than just social anxiety disorder but I will try and help you and offer some suggestions. Although social anxiety disorder can frequently be treated with psychotherapy, medication is necessary for many patients, even with adequate psychotherapy. Your exp . . .

Ask an Expert: Nicholas Votolato RPh BCPP, Anxiety and Stress Disorders

Do I worry too much?

Nancy Elder MD — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 11:04:00 EST

Question: For the past month ( a few days a week ), I`ve been having this feeling of being lightheaded. Of course I think the worse and wonder if it could be a brain tumor, I think and worry of this every day... I`ve been to my Dr. and she didn`t seem worried but she agreed ( after my asking )to send me for a . . .

Answer: I am unable to answer this type of question over the internet, but let me reassure you that taking your concern to your primary care doctor was the appropriate initial step. She will work with you to try and diagnose your problem.

Anxiety over medical problems (both real and potenti . . .

Ask an Expert: Nancy Elder MD, Anxiety and Stress Disorders