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Rohodiola Rosea, commonly known as golden root, rose root, or artic root, is a medicinal plant indigenous to Siberia that thrives in dry and cold arctic climates. The medicinal compounds of are derived from the root of the plant, and have been used to relieve occasional stress, anxiety, mental and physical fatigue, and depressed mood. is known as an adaptogen, meaning that it increases resistance to physical and emotional stress.

The natural medicine has been shown to stimulate serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine activity, and is believed to play a role in healthy emotional and neurological function.How to Take :

is typically taken in capsule form, but it is also available in other forms such as extracts and teas. Dosage Guidelines for :

You should read the product label for dosing instructions and consult a healthcare provider if necessary. The recommended adult dosage for capsule form of is 100 to 300 mg daily. There is not enough scientific evidence to recommend the use of in children.Who Shouldn’t Take :

Do not take if you are pregnant or nursing, or taking prescription monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).Medication Interactions With :You may experience drowsiness if you combine with benzodiazepines, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), or serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).Side Effects of :

Side effects of are generally rare and mild to moderate. They may include headache, stomach upset, drowsiness, dizziness, and difficulty sleeping.Risks Associated with :

There are no known risks associated with , however, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not regulate the production of herbs and supplements. Most herbs and supplements are not thoroughly tested, and there is no guarantee regarding the ingredients or safety of the products.

Other supplements for social anxiety disorder:ChamomileKava KavaPassion FlowerSt. John’s WortValerian RootWinter Cherry

Sources:

Bystritsky A, Kerwin L, Feusner, J. A pilot study of (rhodax) for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2008;14(2):175-180.

Clarocet. . Accessed September 12, 2008.

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Zoloft is the brand name of the generic medication sertraline hydrochloride. is a prescription medication used to treat depression, anxiety disorders, and other serious mental health problems. Manufactured by Pfizer, has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of social anxiety disorder (SAD) since 2003, and is the only medication approved for long-term treatment. A selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), slows reabsorption of the chemical serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is believed to play a role in the regulation of mood and anxiety.How to Take :

comes in tablet or liquid form. Tablets must be swallowed whole — not chewed or crushed.

The liquid form of must be combined with one of the following fluids before use — water, ginger ale, lemon-lime soda, lemonade or orange juice. The prescribed amount of medication should be combined with one half cup of the chosen liquid, and each dose should be prepared immediately prior to use, not in advance.

is generally taken once daily, with or without food. If you forget to take a daily dose, take it when you remember. However if it is close to the time of your next dose, it is better to skip the missed dose altogether.

It is important to continue taking as long as your doctor instructs, even if you begin to feel better. If you abruptly stop taking , you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, tremors, lightheadedness, muscle pains, weakness, insomnia, and anxiety. To avoid these symptoms, your doctor will slowly taper your dosage when you stop taking . Dosage Guidelines for :

For people with SAD, typical dosage of starts at 25 mg, with an increase to 50 mg after one week. Weekly increases up to a maximum dose of 200 mg are permitted for patients who do not respond to lower doses. Who Shouldn’t Take :

should be used with caution if you:have impaired liver or kidney function, heart disease, diabetes, or a history of seizureshave bipolar disorder or a family history of bipolar disorderare pregnant or planning to become pregnantare breastfeedingare receiving electroconvulsive therapyare allergic to sertralineare being treated with medication for alcohol abuse

has not been approved for the treatment of SAD in people under 18 years of age. There is some evidence to suggest an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children taking .Medication Interactions With :

should not be taken in combination with, or within weeks of taking Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs), sibutramine, or pimozide. The result of such combinations can be fatal.

Caution should be used when taking a number of other medications in combination with . Consumption of alcohol is also not advised while taking . In general, you should inform your doctor of any prescription or over-the-counter medications, or any other substances that you are taking or plan to take. Side Effects of :

Side effects of may include nausea, drowsiness, sweating, dizziness, dry mouth, diarrhea, decreased appetite, sexual dysfunction and insomnia.

When first starting or when changing dosage, watch for more serious side effects such as agitation, nervousness, suicidal thoughts and behaviors, tremors, seizures, persistent vomiting or nausea, severe abdominal pain, changes in urine or stools (dark or increased urine, black stools), or yellowing of the eyes or skin. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to report these to your doctor immediately.

It is important to contact your doctor immediately if you experience symptoms of a serious allergic reaction such as trouble breathing, severe dizziness, swelling, itching, or a skin rash.

may cause you to feel drowsy and reduce alertness. It is important not to drive, operate dangerous machinery, or participate in hazardous activities unless you are sure that is not affecting you in this way. Risks Associated with :

The risk of a fatal overdose of is low. Symptoms of an overdose include dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, increased or slow heart rate, and coma.

When combined with some medications, there is risk of Serotonin Syndrome, a potentially fatal condition. Symptoms of Serotonin Syndrome include agitation, confusion, sweating, hallucinations, abnormal reflexes, muscle spasms and rapid heartbeat. Jeffries, JJ, eds. Clinical Handbook of Psychotropic Drugs. Toronto, Canada: Hogrefe & Huber; 2003.

Technorati Tags: anxiety, Disorder), medication, Social, treatment, Zoloft

My fiance has been getting anxiety attacks for years, but up until recently, they didn’t happen very often and generally weren’t very severe. For the past year or so, however, they’ve gotten much more frequent and MUCH worse. Now he has a severe panic attack just about once a week or so, and sometimes they’re so bad that he has to call out of work because it takes hours for him to calm himself down.

He is somewhat mistrustful of doctors, which is why he hasn’t ever seen a doctor about his anxiety, but recently he has realized that he needs to see a doctor in order to obtain treatment for his anxiety problem. He has tried breathing exercises, which help a little bit when he’s having a panic attack, but it still usually takes him hours to calm down and “recover” from a panic attack. We both agree that he needs to get on some kind of anxiety medication in order to treat his disorder, as his anxiety is really affecting his life and impairing his ability to go to work regularly. He’s scared of getting on Xanex, though, because he doesn’t want to get addicted to anything (and Xanex is highly addictive).

So what type of anxiety medication do you think he should get on?

And also, could he get a prescription for it through a regular M.D., or are these types of prescriptions only prescribed by psychiatrists? He has health insurance through his job, so he was just going to make an appointment with a local doctor.

I took Xanax for years and I didnt become addicted to it I actually stopped using it become I dont get the anxiety attacks anymore.

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