How effective is Lexapro for anxiety?

I recently was prescribed Lexapro by my physician. (Haven't started taking it yet.) While I do have very mild depression, I have problems with anxiety. The symtoms generally present themselves like those of A.D.D. or O.C.D. I notice some of the side effects are anxiety related. The last thing I need is MORE nervousness issues! Has anyone used this med primarily for anxiety and if so, can you give me some insight? (also, how bad are the sexual side-effects? I know with Zoloft, I had NO libido!)

How effective is Lexapro for anxiety?
I was on Lexapro for awhile for the same things that you are describing. It seemed to work pretty well for me. For some reason I switched to Effexor a couple of years ago and it seems to be the best thing for me and that is key. You need to find the right drug and dosage for you. I don't recall having any major side effects from it.
Reply:I have taken Lexapro 20 mg for 3 years. It had helped alot with my social anxiety. I am more social now and not affraid to talk to others. I dont have as much (still some) anxiety when giving presentations in college. I have also noticed a huge result in my test taking. I used to freak out when I got a test and not be able to finish it. Now, I take my time and finish on time. As for the sexual side affects, I do have some issues. No libido. Talk to your doctor, there are things you can do to help with this.
Reply:I began having anxiety in september of last year and then in october I had anxiety attacks. I went to the dr and Lexapro was the first antidepressant I was put on. I was mildly depressed like you, but had a lot of anxiety. At first lexapro made me feel hazy but after a few days, and even more after a couple of weeks, I felt so much better and the anxiety was not there as much.





Unfortunately my depression continued to worsen and I went to see a psychiatrist and she upped my dosage to 20 mg and I kept it like that for a couple of months and things got worse with depression and anxiety and I was switched to Effexor.





the side effects for lexapro were not that bad. My libido did suffer a lot and I felt sleepy all the time but i would rather feel that way than feel that anxiety creeping up on me.





How long have you taken it? It takes several weeks for you to get used to it. One thing my dr did to help the libido and reduce those side effecs that I still had with Effexor, is that she gave me Wellbutrin, which causes no sexual side effects. It really has made a different but it's not for everyone because it's a stimulatn and may cause more anxiety in some people. Discuss this with your doctor.
Reply:I was diagnosed with social anxiety at about age 15. Put on lexapro. At first it helped me a lot, but then things went downhill from there. But the reason it didn't work for me is most likely because antidepressants aren't meant to be used on teens.





Everyone is different though, the best thing is to try it yourself and let your doctor know any changes in how you feel. Good luck :)

orange