Lexapro Alters Brain's Anxiety Circuitry

I've been diagnosed with PTSD, Panic DIsorder with agoraphobia and Major Depression Disorder. Those like me tend to be very sensitive to brain meds because our brain's circuitry is wired to notice every little nuance of sensory changes. This chronic vigilance becomes both exhausting AND psychologically necessary for self-preservation. That's a trap. In other words we're used to being on guard but we need to not be on guard--anything that attempts to adjust this will cause paradoxical effects. So for example Xanax may initially cause agitation or anxiety as it switches the brain from on guard to calm. Calm is not familiar therefore psychologically it triggers anxiety while the med is doing what it's supposed to do. Lexapro targets the cerebellum and the thalamus--according to a recent study--the study showed that within 3 hours Lexapro intensified interconnection between cerebellum and thalamus while shutting down the rest of the brain. Hence brain fog a common side effect. I'm not a neurologist but I've done some reading and the long story short seems to be the Lexapro is altering the way the brain interprets sensory data coming in. Cerebellum is like the body and brain's master balancer and sync pulse. The thalamus is like a switch that sends info to the cortex so that the brain can process it. This means the Lexapro is helping the brain rewire itself from running on constant anxiety impulse energy--to giving the brain an opportunity to process sensory data verbally and emotionally. In short it's helping the bran to process life top down rather than bottom up. It slows processing down whereas anxiety speeds process up. Even minor changes in dosage over a couple of days I've noticed will produce side effects. A little too much sedates and brain fog and a little too much taper causes dizziness and anxiety. This drug does need time. First two weeks very difficult for me--zoned out. Second two weeks dysphoric mood and diurnal mood better at night. 5th week started to feel normal and motivated--but still attempting to get to steady dose. I'm doing 10mg - 12.5 mg and noticed dizziness when I went 10 mg - 10 mg two days in a row. So it's important to take this med slow and to give it time to get to therapeutic effect. I use Xanax as needed to reduce anxiety or agitation. Clinical studies indicate at 6 to 8 weeks to impact depression. Some feel better in three to four. Important to be consistent in time of dosage and amount.

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Thanks for sharing your insight on how these different substances affect one's brain chemistry... I find it very interesting that someone who expresses such a high level of intelligence within their wording and overall dialect is diagnosed with the above said disorders.

Judging from the quality of your post you seem well composed and mentally stable despite these psychological challenges you face. It is my hope that you continue to find relief in whatever form of treatment is most readily available to you.

For those readers who are still seeking a remedy for their anxiety, I would argue that the neurological changes taking place during regular meditation can act as a big catalyst to life long relief. However, I believe medications like Lexapro and Xanax do have their place.

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