Husband w/GAD on BuSpar and Xanax

Question:

Hi – I am new to this group. I have read all the available messages and found a lot of it very interesting and informative. My husband has been diagnosed with GAD and borderline OCD. He is taking 30 mg/day BuSpar and recently started taking .25 mg/day Xanax. I am trying to get him to go for counseling but he is skeptical. I would appreciate receiving the FAQ’s on anxiety. The information in this NG about hypoglycemia being related to anxiety was very interesting because my husband may also be hypoglycemic.

Response:

Hi – I am new to this group. I have read all the available messages and found a lot of it very interesting and informative.

Hello – welcome to ASAP My husband has been diagnosed with GAD and borderline OCD. He is taking 30 mg/day BuSpar and recently started taking .25 mg/day Xanax. I am trying to get him to go for counseling but he is skeptical.

I’m sorry to say, I completely share your husband’s scepticism. I cannot imagine conventional counselling doing much more than soaking-up time and money in any attempt to treat an underlying neuro-chemical condition with subsequent psychological components. Indeed, studies continually show that this is not a useful approach for the majority of sufferers though, in fairness, some *do* find it helpful. What would almost certainly be a more constructive approach would be cognitive behavioural therapy, which he would get from a clinical psychologist (as opposed to a general-purpose ‘counsellor’). CBT has an excellent track record as a treatment method, patrticularly when used in conjunction with medication. He can be referred to a psychologist using CBT by his doctor or, I’d imagine, via a local hospital (especially if you have one with an anxiety or mental health clinic). I would appreciate receiving the FAQ’s on anxiety. The information in this NG about hypoglycemia being related to anxiety was very interesting because my husband may also be hypoglycemic.