Quiz

There are many effective options available for treating panic and anxiety disorders. While there is no "one-size-fits-all" answer, most people who experience panic and anxiety can improve with the help of an SSRI or SNRI antidepressant medication.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are antidepressants that increase brain serotonin levels by preventing serotonin's reabsorption. Low serotonin levels are linked to anxiety and depression. Some examples of SSRIs are Lexapro (escitalopram), Prozac (fluoxetine), and Zoloft (sertraline).

Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are antidepressants that work by preventing the reabsorption of both serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. Norepinephrine has many essential functions and helps the body respond to stressful situations. Some examples of SNRIs are Effexor (venlafaxine) and Cymbalta (duloxetine).

Trying an anxiety medication requires communicating with a U.S. healthcare professional to obtain a prescription. If you do not already have a primary care physician, we can help you find a healthcare provider.

Most people prefer to play an active role in making decisions about their healthcare. With the help of the PACS SSRI Quiz, you can familiarize yourself with the available treatment options. Consider using your quiz results as a starting point for a conversation with your healthcare provider. Using evidence-based guidelines and a few considerations, you can go into the discussion with your healthcare provider as an informed consumer.

The contents of the PACS SSRI Quiz and PACS website (panicandanxiety.org) are for informational and educational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. PACS does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, efficacy, or timeliness of information posted on its site, whether by PACS, our employees, users of our site, or third parties. Always seek your mental health professional's advice or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your condition.

If you are in crisis, call your doctor or 911 immediately. If you are having suicidal thoughts, call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to talk to a skilled, trained counselor at a crisis center in your area (National Suicide Prevention Lifeline). If you are located outside the United States, call your local emergency line immediately.

Which of the following panic or anxiety disorders have you been diagnosed with, or suspect you are experiencing? If you are unsure, see our Disorders page for more detailed information.

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) (if GAD is selected, go to 1a)
• Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)(if SAD is selected, go to 2a)
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)(if OCD is selected, go to 3a)
• Panic Disorder with or without agoraphobia(if Panic Disorder is selected, go to 4a)

1a Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

In addition to generalized anxiety disorder, do you also suffer from any chronic pain conditions, such as fibromyalgia or chronic musculoskeletal pain?

• Yes (if Yes, go to 5a Cymbalta)
• No(if No, go to 1b)

1b

Read the following four statements and think about your personal health. Answer "yes" if one or more of the following statements are true.

• I have a history of heart problems.
• I am overweight or struggle to maintain a healthy weight.
• I take multiple prescription medications.
• I am an older adult (65 years or older).

• Yes (if Yes, go to 5b Lexapro or Effexor)
• No(if No, go to 5c Paxil)

2a Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)

In addition to Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), also known as social phobia, do you also experience Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?

• Yes (if Yes, go to 5d Luvox)
• No(if No, go to 2b)

2b

Read the following five statements and think about your personal health. Answer "yes" if one or more of the following statements are true.

• I have a history of heart problems.
• I am overweight or struggle to maintain a healthy weight.
• I am currently pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to conceive.
• I take multiple prescription medications.
• I am an older adult (65 years or older).

• Yes (if Yes, go to 5e Zoloft)
• No(if No, go to 5c Paxil)

3a OCD

In addition to Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), do you also experience Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), also known as social phobia?

• Yes (if Yes, go to 5d Luvox)
• No(if No, go to 3b)

3b

Read the following five statements and think about your personal health. Answer "yes" if one or more of the following statements are true.

• I have a history of heart problems.
• I am overweight or struggle to maintain a healthy weight.
• I am currently pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to conceive.
• I take multiple prescription medications.
• I am an older adult (65 years or older).

• Yes (if Yes, go to 3c)
• No(if No, go to 5c Paxil)

3c

In addition to Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), do you also experience insomnia (a sleep disorder in which you have trouble falling asleep and/or staying asleep)?

• Yes (if Yes, go to 5e Zoloft)
• No(if No, go to 5f Prozac)

4a PD

In addition to Panic Disorder (with or without agoraphobia), do you also experience insomnia (a sleep disorder in which you have trouble falling asleep and/or staying asleep)?

• Yes (if Yes, go to 4b)
• No(if No, go to 5f Prozac)

4b

Read the following four statements and think about your personal health. Answer "yes" if one or more of the following statements are true.

• I have a history of heart problems.
• I am overweight or struggle to maintain a healthy weight.
• I am currently pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to conceive.
• I take multiple prescription medications.
• I am an older adult (65 years or older).

• Yes (if Yes, go to 4c)
• No(if No, go to 5c Paxil)

4c

Are you a female who is currently pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to conceive?

• Yes (if Yes, go to 5e Zoloft)
• No(if No, go to 5g Effexor)

5a

Cymbalta® (duloxetine) may be a good choice for you.

Cymbalta is the brand name of the generic antidepressant drug duloxetine. Duloxetine is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) FDA-approved for the treatment of the following conditions:

• Major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults
• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in adults and children seven years of age and older
• Diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain in adults
• Fibromyalgia in adults and adolescents 13 years of age and older
• Chronic musculoskeletal pain in adults

This information does not take the place of talking to your healthcare provider about your medical condition or treatment. Duloxetine and other antidepressant medicines may increase suicidal thoughts or actions in some children, teenagers, or young adults within the first few months of treatment or when the dose is changed. Talk to your healthcare provider about all therapy options and the risks and benefits of treatment with antidepressant medicines.

5b

Lexapro® (escitalopram) or Effexor XR® (venlafaxine) may be a good choice for you.

Lexapro is the brand name of the generic antidepressant drug escitalopram. Escitalopram is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) FDA-approved for the treatment of the following conditions:

• Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in adults and adolescents aged 12-17 years
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) in adults

Additionally, escitalopram is often prescribed off-label by some healthcare providers to treat social anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and to relieve some symptoms of menopause.

This information does not take the place of talking to your healthcare provider about your medical condition or treatment. Escitalopram and other antidepressant medicines may increase suicidal thoughts or actions in some children, teenagers, or young adults within the first few months of treatment or when the dose is changed. Talk to your healthcare provider about all therapy options and the risks and benefits of treatment with antidepressant medicines.

Effexor XR is the brand name of the generic antidepressant drug venlafaxine extended-release. Venlafaxine is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) that is FDA-approved to treat the following conditions:

• Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in adults
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) in adults
• Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) in adults
• Panic Disorder (PD) in adults

Additionally, venlafaxine is often used off-label for attention deficit disorder, fibromyalgia, diabetic neuropathy, some symptoms of menopause, migraine prevention, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

Although venlafaxine can cause weight gain, it is less likely to cause weight gain than other antidepressants.

This information does not take the place of talking to your healthcare provider about your medical condition or treatment. Venlafaxine and other antidepressant medicines may increase suicidal thoughts or actions in some children, teenagers, or young adults within the first few months of treatment or when the dose is changed. Talk to your healthcare provider about all therapy options and the risks and benefits of treatment with antidepressant medicines.

5c

Paxil® (paroxetine) may be a good choice for you.

Paxil is the brand name of the generic antidepressant drug paroxetine. Paroxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) FDA-approved for the treatment of the following conditions:

• Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in adults
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) in adults
• Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) in adults
• Panic Disorder (PD) in adults
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in adults
• Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in adults

Paroxetine is not FDA-approved for children and adolescents less than 18 years of age; however, clinicians sometimes prescribe off-label in this age group to treat OCD and SAD. Paroxetine is also prescribed off-label for postpartum depression, body dysmorphic disorder, and premature ejaculation. Paroxetine may cause more weight gain in comparison to other SSRIs.

This information does not take the place of talking to your healthcare provider about your medical condition or treatment. Paroxetine and other antidepressant medicines may increase suicidal thoughts or actions in some children, teenagers, or young adults within the first few months of treatment or when the dose is changed. Talk to your healthcare provider about all therapy options and the risks and benefits of treatment with antidepressant medicines.

5d

Luvox® (fluvoxamine) may be a good choice for you.

Luvox is the brand name of the generic antidepressant drug fluvoxamine. Fluvoxamine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) FDA-approved for the treatment of the following conditions:

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in adults and children aged eight and older
• Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) in adults

This information does not take the place of talking to your healthcare provider about your medical condition or treatment. Fluvoxamine and other antidepressant medicines may increase suicidal thoughts or actions in some children, teenagers, or young adults within the first few months of treatment or when the dose is changed. Talk to your healthcare provider about all therapy options and the risks and benefits of treatment with antidepressant medicines.

5e

Zoloft® (sertraline) may be a good choice for you.

Zoloft is the brand name of the generic antidepressant drug sertraline. Sertraline is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) FDA-approved for the treatment of the following conditions:

• Major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in adults and children aged six and older
• Panic disorder (PD) in adults
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in adults
• Social anxiety disorder (SAD) in adults
• Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) in adults

Sertraline is generally considered safe in patients with a history of heart attacks and other heart problems.

Sertraline is also considered generally safe in pregnancy and with breastfeeding. The weight of evidence from studies of pregnant women exposed to sertraline in the first trimester suggests no difference in birth defect risk compared to the birth defect risk in pregnant women who were not exposed to sertraline. However, if you have an anxiety disorder and are pregnant or thinking about getting pregnant, consult your healthcare provider. The risks and benefits of taking any medication during pregnancy must be carefully considered.

This information does not take the place of talking to your healthcare provider about your medical condition or treatment. Sertraline and other antidepressant medicines may increase suicidal thoughts or actions in some children, teenagers, or young adults within the first few months of treatment or when the dose is changed. Talk to your healthcare provider about all therapy options and the risks and benefits of treatment with antidepressant medicines.

5f

Prozac® (fluoxetine) may be a good choice for you.

Prozac is the brand name of the generic antidepressant drug fluoxetine. Fluoxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) FDA-approved for the treatment of the following conditions:

• Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in adults and children aged eight and older
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in adults and children aged seven and older
• Panic Disorder, with or without agoraphobia, in adults
• Bulimia in adults
• Premenstrual dysphoric disorder in adults

Some common off-label uses for fluoxetine include Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and borderline personality disorder.

Fluoxetine can be activating, so it may not be the best choice for people who struggle with insomnia. If insomnia occurs, you may find some relief by taking your fluoxetine dose early in the morning each day. If insomnia persists, talk to your healthcare provider.

This information does not take the place of talking to your healthcare provider about your medical condition or treatment. Fluoxetine and other antidepressant medicines may increase suicidal thoughts or actions in some children, teenagers, or young adults within the first few months of treatment or when the dose is changed. Talk to your healthcare provider about all therapy options and the risks and benefits of treatment with antidepressant medicines.

5g

Effexor XR® (venlafaxine) may be a good choice for you.

Effexor XR is the brand name of the generic antidepressant drug venlafaxine extended-release. Venlafaxine is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) that is FDA-approved to treat the following conditions:

• Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in adults
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) in adults
• Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) in adults
• Panic Disorder (PD) in adults

Additionally, venlafaxine is often used off-label for attention deficit disorder, fibromyalgia, diabetic neuropathy, hot flashes, migraine prevention, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

Although venlafaxine can cause weight gain, it is less likely to cause weight gain than other antidepressants.

This information does not take the place of talking to your healthcare provider about your medical condition or treatment. Venlafaxine and other antidepressant medicines may increase suicidal thoughts or actions in some children, teenagers, or young adults within the first few months of treatment or when the dose is changed. Talk to your healthcare provider about all therapy options and the risks and benefits of treatment with antidepressant medicines.