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Will I Have To Take Antidepressant Medication Every Day For It To Be Effective For My Anxiety Disorder?

Question: Will I have to take antidepressant medication every day for it to be effective for my anxiety disorder?

Brian Brennan, M.D., McLean Hospital

Answer: Yes, and antidepressant medications are medications that need to be taken on an everyday basis for them to really be effective in the treatment of anxiety. This is mainly because these are medications that take at least a few weeks, if not four to six weeks, to really have their full clinical effect. So to use them on an as needed basis really is not using them in a way to get the most effectiveness out of them.

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Next: What Are Benzodiazepines (Such As Valium, Xanax), How Do They Work, And How Are They Used To Treat Anxiety Disorders?

Previous: What Are The Side Effects Associated With Antidepressant Treatment For Anxiety Disorder, And Are There Long-Term Risks?

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