Advertisement

How do I overcome fear, depression and anxiety?

Dr Samir Parikh
Director and Consultant,
Psychiatry,
Fortis Flt. Lt. Rajan Dhall Hospital, Vasant Kunj,
Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon

Q: I am 38 yrs old suffering from psychosomatic disorders: anxiety, depression, fears & phobias, negative thoughts etc, because of many incidents in my life. I am on Alprax and Prozac for last 3 years. I don't want to get addicted to these drugs. How should make myself mentally strong and leave these drugs?

A:The symptoms you have mentioned are a part of psychiatric disorders and have a clinical treatment. The causes of depression and anxiety are some chemical changes in the body which need medications to correct but change in thought process is by therapy and counseling (both cognitive and behavioral). As for medications, if taken under medical supervision and advise, they would not be a cause of concern, and you should never stop them without asking your doctor. For a self change take therapy and counseling, it shall help.