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ANXIETY
A frequent sequelae of TBI. Because anxiety keeps people out of social situations and stressful work situations (like public speaking), it has to brought under good control. Drugs commonly used with good effect on anxiety in TBI patients are Paxil and Buspar. A recent study by Kevin Bellow at SmithKline Beecham confirmed the usefulness of Paxil (an SSRI anti-depressant) in reducing GAD (generalized anxiety disorder). Researchers at the Medical College of Georgia have shown the SSRI fluvoxamine is equally as potent in reducing anxiety as relieving depression, most likely due in each case to increasing serotonin. See, The Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology 2001;21:139-142. Some people who are "opposed" to using Western prescription medicines, try herbal remedies, but caution must be exercised because these substances are not required to pass the same rigorous safety/effectiveness testing and disclosure as prescription drugs. One example is Kava. While Kava does help people achieve a pleasant, relaxed feeling, it has been associated with side effects including stomach upset, yellowing of the skin, and a dry, scaly rash. Mixing Kava and a prescription anti-anxiety medicine caused one man to become semi-comatose (Harvard Mental Health Letter 17:8).