| In the News |
Popular antidepressant, Cymbalta, approved for anxiety
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the antidepressant Cymbalta for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder. More than 6 million Americans suffer from this disorder marked by chronic anxiety, irritability and fatigue, among other symptoms.
Cymbalta, a member of a class of drugs commonly referred to as serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), has been studied in more than 25,000 patients worldwide and is already approved for the treatment of major depressive disorder and management of diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain in adults.
Currently, more than 4.5 million adults in the United States have been prescribed Cymbalta for major depressive disorder or diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain. Lilly plans to ask the FDA later this year for approval to use it for the neurological disorder fibromyalgia.
Lily newsroom, Feb 2007
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| Patient Education Handout from WebMD Health |
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Anxiety disorders are quite common, affecting about 20-25 million Americans. They include generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, phobias, social anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Anxiety disorders are believed to stem from a complex combination of genetic, environmental, psychological, and bodily factors. As with most illnesses, some people are more susceptible than others, and some illnesses have a higher genetic component than others. Close relatives of people with panic disorder have a 4-7 times increased risk of getting panic disorder.
Three quarters of people with anxiety disorders continue to suffer needlessly, never seeking help. But anxiety disorders are highly treatable, and the vast majority of patients get relief from their symptoms through a combination of talking therapies as well as drugs that reduce anxiety. Click here to go to WebMD Health and read more.
Written by N Thompson, ARNP in collaboration with M Thompson, MD, Internal Medicine, Jan 2005, updated May 2005 |
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| Local Support Groups in Pinellas County |
Panic Attack, Agoraphobia and Anxiety Support Group
7:30pm on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month, Hope Lutheran Church, 1801 62nd Ave. N, St. Petersburg.
Call (727) 576-3720
National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, Support groups and educational meetings
Directions for Mental Health, 1437 S Belcher Road, Clearwater Call 727-791-3434
and
Suncoast Center for Community Mental Health, 4024 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. Call 727-791-3434
Personal Growth: Self-Esteem, Stress Management, Assertiveness, & Communication Skills
1 p.m. Tuesdays
Enoch Davis Center, 1111 18th Ave South, St. Petersburg,
Call ahead to register (727) 893-7134
also
1 p.m. Thursdays
Resource Center for Women 1301 Seminole Blvd., Bldg F, Suite 150, Largo, Call ahead to register (727) 586-1110 |
| Educational Video Tutorials |
| Anxiety video tutorial from 1 on 1 Health. Click on the "learn how anxiety affects the brain" link to view the tutorial. |
| Internet References |
Anxiety from the National Institute of Health
Anxiety from MerckSource.com
Prescription Drug Coverage for Mental Health - Medicare Part D This website was created by a partnership of numerous mental health organizations to create a resource that will provide essential information and answer questions about Medicare's new prescription drug benefit. Medicare Part D, will be available on January 1, 2006 , and this will mean big changes for many people receiving treatment for mental illness. |
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