Getting the Most Out of Therapy
If you have already been prescribed Lexapro® (escitalopram oxalate), you have taken an important first step toward improving your generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Now you may be wondering what to expect from treatment with Lexapro and what you can do to get the best results.
Here are some additional steps you can take to feel better
as you move forward with your therapy:
- Avoid alcohol while taking Lexapro.
- Reduce caffeine intake. Caffeine is known to make a person jittery
and anxious, and it can disrupt the opportunity to get a good night's
sleep.1
- Consult with your healthcare professional about other prescription
and nonprescription drugs you may be taking (herbal remedies, nutritional
supplements, diet preparations, NSAIDs) during your Lexapro therapy.
- Try to exercise. Even mild exercise like walking 30 minutes a
day may have a positive effect on anxiety. Always consult your healthcare
professional before you engage in an exercise program.
- Practice breathing or relaxation techniques. Learning how to breathe
correctly during times of stress can reduce heart rate, blood pressure,
and muscle pain and increase circulation. You can start by inhaling
through your nose and holding a few seconds and then exhaling through
your mouth. Look for yoga classes and meditation classes that may
be offered in your area.2
- Set limits and learn to say no. Trying to cram too much into our
day can zap energy and leave a person irritable and anxious. Set
priorities and limit daily activities.2
- Follow through on your treatment. You will not benefit by taking
Lexapro or attending therapy if you do either on a hit-or-miss basis.
Continue to take Lexapro as prescribed by your healthcare professional,
and do not stop taking Lexapro until you have spoken to your healthcare
professional.
- Keep follow-up appointments with your healthcare professional.
He or she needs to know how your treatment is going, if you're feeling
better, and if you've had any side effects.
- Keep a journal and take
it with you to your appointment.
- Take advantage of resources available in your community and online—support
groups, chat rooms, and educational materials. You can start with
this list of suggested resources.
Have any questions about therapy with Lexapro? Take a look at the
Lexapro FAQs.
References: 1. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2003;28:1694-1702. Volume 28, Issue 9 (September 2003); Association between A2a Receptor Gene Polymorphisms and Caffeine-Induced anxiety.
2. Brown, O'Leary, and Barlow, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Time Management, pg 185.
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