[99fairies]

I have the worst anxiety and panic attacks, I don't know what to do. I've been taking benzos but they were doing nothing. So I took some Zyprexa. Does it help with anxiety at all? Sorry I keep asking questions, I just want some answers so I can feel better.

[Victoria'smom]

It helps me with psychosis that leads to anxiety.

It helps me some with anxiety. I use a lot of self talk for my anxiety. My psych nurse gives me a little of lorazapam, but she won't increase it. So I work on my anxiety and ptsd issues in therapy.

[Guiness187055]

It's not as good as a benzo. But it works for anxiety to some extent.

What have you tried anxiety med wise, besides benzos? Have you tried gabapentin or propranolol?

I've never tried zyprexa, but I just wanted to mention those two options if you haven't tried them

[GoldenSnitch]

It does not help my anxiety, at least at the dose that I’m currently on. It helps me more with stabilizing mood and paranoia.

[Unrigged64072835]

Zyprexa helped with my anxiety. It calmed me down as well as a benzo.

[~Christina]

Are you on a AP already? then taking Zyprexa on top ? or wanting advice on if you should ?

If your on a AP already I would not advise taking another unless your Pdoc approves.

Some people are one 2 AP's but thats with Pdoc approval..

I know you worry about Weight gain... Zyprexa at first is for many a weight gain med

[still_crazy]

hi. it really...depends. any major tranquilizer/antipsychotic can, potentially, help agitation, anxiety in some people. there -is- a risk of making some forms of anxiety worse, causing akathisia, etc., plus...especially when you're dealing with 2+ tranqs at the same time, or high dose tranquilizers, there's also a risk of making social withdrawal, apathy, depression a lot worse. I think that's supposed to be more of a problem with the older drugs, but...still...

maybe its a psychosocial thing? can you get out and do stuff, like visit a museum or go see a movie or...I don't know, lol. Anything. Me, I've just now gotten to where I can chill out and enjoy the nice weather, the stuff around me, etc., so I know where you're coming from, to a point...

hope this helps. maybe you should have a talk with the shrink. I don't recommend regular, long term benzodiazepine use, but if its that -or- adding in a 2nd antipsychotic, I"d go for the mother's little helper, personally.

good luck.

[99fairies]

I am on geodon and I have zyprexa for a PRN.

[BipolaRNurse]

I'm on both Geodon and Zyprexa full-time, and I think they both help with anxiety because I hardly ever have it anymore. I will occasionally use Klonopin for breakthrough anxiety, like when I'm getting on an airplane. That's not bad, considering I used to pop Ativan like candy before I got put on the APs.

[DeFyYing]

Nothing has killed my social anxiety like Zyprexa has. Well, except mania, but that doesn't count. I can't stress enough how now I can go into a classroom and not feel so deathly afraid of everyone in the room, and I can start talking to them without overthinking it.

Of course, I'm not sure if I would recommend Zyprexa for anxiety alone. It has some serious metabolic side effects. But I'm using it for my psychosis and mania, and Zyprexa has been so effective for that and the social anxiety killing side effect is nice

[Tucson]

I have been on Olanzapine on and off for years. I imagine depending on the dose, it can help with anxiety. My concern was becoming pre-diabetic. So IMHO your blood should be occasionally tested. BTW the combination of this with fluoxetine is used as one of the more effective treatments for BPers. Besides this combination handling depression and mania, I think the Olsnzapine enhances the effects of the AD. Actually the FDA approved of this combination to treat BP. FWIW