my consultant has prescribed alprazolam and if this does not work then Risperidone.

Hi Helen:

I'm not a physician, but have many patients on the medications you named. Alprazolam is a popular anxiolytic, or anti-anxiety medication. One familiar brand name is Xanax. It is effective for anxiety, but is a benzodiazepine, which depending on how it's used can be addictive. If it works, however, you might consider it worth it. You can read more about it in the link I provided.

Risperdone, or Risperdal (brand name) is typically used to treat psychosis, but that is not all it is effective for. It's good for treatment of Bipolar Disorder, and physicians use it to treat depression in youngsters. It's also effective in Autistic children for agitation. If your consultant feels that it might work well for your anxiety, ask him to explain why. He/she likely has very good reasons to believe that it will work.

Dosulepin hydrochloride is a type of antidepressant that is called a tricyclic. It's fairly mild antidepressant and is useful in anxiety.

Many physicians prescribe antidepressants for their anxious patients, because, even though you may not feel depressed, the thoughts that are often observed in depressed people actually drive anxiety.

Bottom line, if you trust your physician, listen to him or her. If not, seek a second opinion. I would also hope you are in psychotherapy to help you manage your anxiety. If not, you can find one in Psychology Today.

Hope this helps,

Dr. Diana Walcutt

The Stress Masters

*Dr. Walcutt is a Psychologist, not a Psychiatrist. Psychiatrists prescribe medications. Psychologists study them, but the majority of Psychologists are not authorized to prescribe meds or give you specific advice about them. Dr. Walcutt's answers are not intended to diagnose or treat any medical or mental disorder. Any information given in a post about medication is for educational purposes only, and primarily to aid you in having an informed discussion with your own Psychiatrist/Physician.