Q. I am an anxious person and find that I don’t handle stressful situations very well. My doctor prescribed Lexapro but it made me very nauseated. I woke up in a deep sweat with my heart racing.
I know there are other drugs as well, but I am concerned about their side effects. Are there any natural alternatives that won’t produce side effects?
A. Lexapro can cause nausea, sweating and palpitations. Drowsiness, headache and sexual difficulties have also been reported.
Finding a natural approach for anxiety may be a challenge. Physicians used to rely on a category of medications called benzodiazepines, which includes drugs likelorazepam (Ativan), diazepam (Valium) and alprazolam (Xanax). These medications can help reduce anxiety, but they can also be habit forming.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is one approach that does not require medications. You may want to ask your physician for a referral. Herbs such as valerian and passionflower have sometimes been used to help control nervousness.
