The patient is receiving escitalopram (Lexapro) for treatment of generalized anxiety disorder. The patient asks the nurse, "I am just nervous, not depressed. Why am I taking an antidepressant medicine?" What is the best response by the nurse?
1. "The same brain chemicals are involved with anxiety as well as depression."
2. "You are really depressed; it is just manifested as anxiety. These medications are safer than benzodiazepines."
3. "Your doctor thinks that this is the best treatment for your anxiety, and these medications are safer than benzodiazepines."
4. "The two disorders go together, and if you treat depression, the anxiety goes away."
1
Rationale 1: Antidepressants are frequently used to treat symptoms of anxiety. They reduce anxiety by altering levels of norepinephrine and serotonin. These neurotransmitters are also involved in depression.
Rationale 2: The patient is being treated for generalized anxiety; this is different from depression.
Rationale 3: Telling the patient that the doctor knows best is a condescending reply and does not answer the patient's question.
Rationale 4: Depression and anxiety are two separate disorders.
Global Rationale: Antidepressants are frequently used to treat symptoms of anxiety. They reduce anxiety by altering levels of norepinephrine and serotonin. These neurotransmitters are also involved in depression. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are safer than benzodiazepines, but depression and anxiety are two separate disorders. The patient is being treated for generalized anxiety; this is different from depression. Telling the patient that the doctor knows best is a condescending reply and does not answer the patient's question.
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