Posts in category: Dating Tips, Guide and Advice

Who we like is highly subjective. Each person has different preferences, usually based on their own personality traits and lived experiences. Our personality traits can impact whether or not other people think of us as likeable.

The Likeable Person Test

Take this quiz to see if you are a likeable person based personality traits that are generally considered desirable.

Who Is This Likeable Person Test For?

This test is for anyone curious about how others might see them. It can help determine how others view you based on the personality traits you’re projecting. Each question connects behaviors to personality traits considered to be more desirable.

About This Likeable Person Test

This likability test is based on the Big Five personality traits and the Reysen Likability Scale. The Reysen Likability Scale is an 11-item questionnaire based on Dr. Stephen Reysen’s research into what defines likability. Reysen designed the questions to measure likability.

Authentically engaging with empathy, respect, and compassion for others can make you more likeable and contribute positively to your mental and emotional wellness.

—
IVY KWONG, LMFT

What to Know About Personality Traits

Our personality traits guide how we act, think, and feel. In psychology, trait theory means that people have different personalities because they have different levels of basic personality traits. Personality psychologists and researchers have identified five main personality traits–known as the Big Five. These are extroversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness to experience, and they form the basis of personality.

Each trait represents a range, so someone could have a higher or lower amount of the trait in their personality. Most people will be somewhere in the middle.

Extroversion

Extroversion describes someone who is outgoing, seeks out social situations, and enjoys the mental stimulation of being around others. People who fall higher on the extroversion scale tend to feel excited and energized by social interactions. An extrovert may find it easier to talk to new people and make friends.

Those who are low in extroversion are described as introverts and prefer more alone time to social situations.

Agreeableness

People who are high in agreeableness are generally described as more cooperative and compassionate. They might be seen as trustworthy, kind, or more likely to help others. Those who are low in agreeableness might be described as more combative and less concerned with the feelings of others.

Conscientiousness

Conscientiousness describes people who have high levels of thoughtfulness, are often prepared in advance, are organized, and are detail-oriented. Someone who displays higher levels of conscientiousness is more likely to plan things in advance and consider others in their plans, behaviors, or actions.

People who display lower levels of conscientiousness might be more impulsive, careless, less organized, and may do things at the last minute.

Neuroticism

Neuroticism is a trait that’s considered less desirable. People higher in neuroticism may be more prone to emotional instability, get stressed more easily, and feel sad or anxious. Someone who is lower in neuroticism might be more calm and able to regulate their emotions.

Openness for Experience

This trait is linked with imagination, creativity, and intellect. People who display higher levels of openness to experience are more likely to be curious about new ideas and experiences. They may want to learn about others and do new things.

Those who display lower levels of openness to experience might be more closed off to new ideas and ways of thinking. They may also not be as creative.

Love addiction (also known as affective dependence, affective addiction, and emotional dependence) is a condition that causes a person to develop an unhealthy and obsessive fixation with a love interest.

Humans are naturally wired to enjoy feelings of love and affection. However, some people develop feelings that extend past normal, healthy interest and into love addiction.

Although more common in romantic relationships, love addiction can occur within families, in friendships, and even with strangers.

Symptoms of Love Addiction

Love addiction looks a little different from person to person. The most commonly identifiable symptom of love addiction is an unhealthy fixation on another person that causes obsessive compulsions, such as calling them too frequently, attempting to control them, or even stalking them. This makes creating and maintaining mutually beneficial relationships especially difficult for people with love addiction.

Other ways love addiction can manifest include:

• Feeling lost or uprooted without a partner
• Feeling overly dependent on the partner
• Prioritizing the relationship with a partner over family and friends
• Becoming depressed and obsessed with a love interest when romantic advances aren’t reciprocated
• Constantly seeking romantic relationships regardless of quality
• Feeling despondent without a romantic partner or relationship 
• Having difficulty leaving unhealthy or toxic relationships
• Making poor decisions based on emotions felt toward a partner or love interest (e.g., quitting a job or cutting ties with family)
• Obsessively thinking of the other person to the point of disruption

There are many more possible symptoms and signs of love addiction; they vary in type and severity from person to person and with styles of expressing affection. Some signs, like calling frequently, can seem harmless unless they begin to affect the daily life of either partner. Other signs are more obvious, such as stalking a love interest or restricting who they interact with. 

Identifying Love Addiction 

Whether love addiction should be classified as an actual mental health condition is up for debate. In fact, the “Diagnostic Manual of Mental Health Disorders” doesn’t recognize it as one. However, many experts feel there’s enough evidence to consider it as an independent mental disorder. This makes identifying the condition tricky.

In 2019, researchers developed a framework they dubbed “The Love Addiction Inventory,” a questionnaire that can help diagnose a suspected love addiction.

Causes of Love Addiction 

Research on the causes and triggers of the condition is lacking, but factors such as trauma and genetics likely play a role. Research also shows a connection between the euphoria of being in love and the feelings of pleasure a person with substance use disorder might have.

Researchers drew parallels between the way a person in love and a person addicted to a substance might act. People in both groups might experience emotional dependency, cravings, mood swings, compulsions, obsessions, and loss of self-control. When you are in love, your brain releases chemical messengers that make you feel good, like dopamine. These same patterns occur with substance abuse and addiction.

Other common triggers of love addiction include: 

• Abandonment issues
• Low self esteem 
• Emotional or sexual abuse
• A traumatic relationship
• Childhood trauma

Treatment for Love Addiction 

Healthcare providers diagnose and treat this issue similarly to other forms of addiction, generally with therapy. Like other aspects of the condition, psychotherapy’s effectiveness for love addiction hasn’t been studied in depth.

The most common form of therapy used to treat addiction is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). With CBT, the therapist helps the person uncover and cope with causes and triggers for addictive compulsions and behaviors. 

No medications treat this condition specifically, although some research shows that antidepressants and mood stabilizers might help with symptoms of obsession and impulsivity in some situations. 

People who are addicted to love cannot identify why their obsessions are problematic or admit that they’re obsessed. So as with other addictions, recognizing the problem is a difficult but essential first step.

Coping With Love Addiction 

If you have a love addiction, try these tips to cope with your condition as you seek help: 

• Learn to be alone: When you’re not involved with a romantic partner, take the opportunity to spend time alone. Explore the reasons and triggers for your addiction and make some progress in your treatment before entering a new relationship. 
• Look out for recurring patterns: A love addict typically exhibits the same pattern of behavior with any love interest. Review your romantic history and identify any recurring patterns. 
• Invest in yourself: Pursuing self-growth is a great way to fall in love with yourself. People with love addiction often neglect themselves and their needs.
• Rely on friends and family: Although it might be difficult, share what you’re going through with people you love and trust.
• Join a support group. You’re not alone. A support group will put you in contact with people who are experiencing and coping with what you’re feeling.

Does the thought of bungee jumping off a tall bridge or standing on the top of a rickety ladder make you nervous? It’s totally normal for heights to make you feel apprehensive or queasy. If your fear of heights is so intense that it causes major distress and makes you avoid *any* situation involving heights, you might have a type of specific phobia known as acrophobia.

Acrophobia causes people to feel extremely fearful and anxious about situations that involve being far off the ground, such as climbing a ladder or going to the top of a tall building. Because of the intensity of this fear, people with acrophobia often avoid any situation that involves heights.

It is normal to be somewhat apprehensive about heights, particularly if those heights are unusual, significant, or unstable. Acrophobia involves a much more significant or disruptive fear that can affect a person’s ability to function in everyday life.

Symptoms of Acrophobia

Emotionally and physically, the response to acrophobia is similar to any other phobia. Some of the common symptoms associated with acrophobia include:

Emotional Symptoms

You may feel a sense of panic when you perceive that you’re high off the ground. You may instinctively begin to search for something to cling to and find that you’re unable to trust your own sense of balance.

Physical Symptoms

The physical symptoms of acrophobia are similar to those of other specific phobias and may include:

• Chest pain
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Rapid heartbeat
• Shortness of breath
• Trembling

Anxiety and Avoidance

If you have acrophobia, you will likely begin to dread situations that may cause you to spend time in high places. For example, you may worry that an upcoming vacation will put you in a hotel room on a high floor. You may put off home repairs for fear of using a ladder. You might avoid visiting friends’ homes if they have balconies or upstairs picture windows.

This avoidance can interfere with your ability to function in your daily life. For example, you may not be able to attend school, go to work, visit friends, or leave your home due to extreme fear and avoidance.

Conditions Related to Acrophobia

Conditions that are related to acrophobia and may occur with it include:

Vertigo

True vertigo is a medical condition that causes a sensation of spinning and dizziness. Illyngophobia is a phobia in which the fear of developing vertigo can actually lead to vertigo-like symptoms.

See a doctor for tests if you experience vertigo symptoms. Medical tests may include blood work, computed tomography (CT) scans, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which can rule out a variety of neurological conditions.

Bathmophobia

The fear of slopes and stairs, called bathmophobia, is sometimes related to acrophobia. In bathmophobia, you may panic when viewing a steep slope, even if you have no need to climb it. Although many people with bathmophobia have acrophobia, most acrophobia sufferers do not also experience bathmophobia.

Climacophobia

This fear is related to bathmophobia, except that it generally occurs only when you’re contemplating making a climb. If you suffer from climacophobia, you’re probably not afraid to see a steep set of stairs as long as you can remain safely at the bottom. However, climacophobia may occur in tandem with acrophobia.

Aerophobia

This is the specific fear of flying. Depending on the severity of your fear, you may be afraid of airports and airplanes, or may only feel the fear when you’re in the air. Aerophobia may occasionally occur alongside acrophobia.

Risks of Acrophobia

The biggest danger that most phobias present is the risk of limiting your life and activities to avoid the feared situation. Avoiding situations where you might be exposed to high places can make it hard to live your life as you normally would. You might avoid situations, people, experiences, or opportunities because of your fear.

However, acrophobia is unusual in that having a panic attack while high off the ground could actually lead to the imagined danger. The situation may be safe as long as normal precautions are taken, but panicking could lead you to make unsafe moves.

What Causes Acrophobia?

Research shows that a certain amount of reluctance around heights is normal, not only for humans but for all visual animals. Acrophobia seems to be at least partially ingrained, possibly as an evolutionary survival mechanism.

In 1960, famed research psychologists Eleanor J. Gibson and Richard D. Walk conducted ” The Visual Cliff” experiment, which showed crawling infants, along with babies of numerous species, refusing to cross a thick glass panel covering an apparently sharp drop-off. The presence of the infant’s mother, encouragingly calling him, did not convince the baby that it was safe.

Nonetheless, most children and adults use caution but are not inordinately afraid of heights. Acrophobia, like all phobias, appears to be a hyper-reaction of the normal fear response. This may be a learned response to a previous fall or a parent’s nervous reaction to heights.

Research also indicates that irrational fear of falling plays a greater role than the perception of height.

Diagnosing Acrophobia

Acrophobia is not a distinct disorder recognized in the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders” (DSM-5-TR), the tool doctors and mental health professionals use to diagnose mental disorders. Instead, this condition would be diagnosed as a specific phobia.

To be diagnosed with a specific phobia, your doctor or therapist will ask questions about the nature, duration, and severity of your symptoms. The diagnostic criteria for specific phobias require:

• Excessive and intense fear and out of proportion to the actual threat
• Feeling anticipatory anxiety, which involves being fearful and worried about encountering the thing that you fear
• Avoidance of situations that would place you in contact with what you fear
• Life-limiting disruptions in daily activities

Treatment for Acrophobia

Acrophobia can share certain symptoms with vertigo, a medical disorder with a variety of possible causes, as well as with other specific phobias. For these reasons, if you experience the signs of acrophobia, it’s extremely important to seek professional help as soon as possible.

Treatments for acrophobia include:

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive-behavioral therapy, or CBT, is the main treatment of choice for specific phobias. Behavioral techniques that expose you to the feared situation either gradually (systematic desensitization) or rapidly (flooding) are frequently used. In addition, you’re taught ways of stopping the panic reaction and regaining emotional control.​

Exposure Therapy

Exposure therapy is considered the gold standard for treating specific phobias. It involves gradually and progressively exposing people to what they fear. With regular exposure, their anxiety eventually declines.

A major advantage of virtual reality treatment is the savings in both cost and time, as there is no need for “on-location” therapist accompaniment. This method is not available everywhere, but with the costs of virtual reality equipment coming down, it will likely be easier to access as time goes on.

Medication

Sometimes, sedatives or beta-blockers may be used for short-term relief in specific situations to help relieve the panic and anxiety you feel. The drug D-cycloserine has been in clinical trials for anxiety disorder treatment since 2008.

One meta-analysis found that d-cycloserine may enhance the efficacy of exposure therapy in the treatment of anxiety disorders. However, more research on dosing and length of treatment time is needed.

Relaxation Techniques

Many lifestyle modifications and relaxation strategies can help relieve symptoms of acrophobia. Yoga, deep breathing, meditation, or progressive muscle relaxation can help you cope with stress and anxiety. Regular exercise can also help.

Irritability involves anger or frustration that often arises over even the smallest things. Irritable moods affect everyone from time to time, and that’s perfectly normal.

However, it can sometimes be a sign of an underlying mental health condition, particularly if it lasts a long time or has a major impact on your daily life and relationships.

If you are experiencing feelings of irritability that are persistent, pervasive, or distressing, talk to your doctor. Such feelings can become excessive and interfere with your daily life, making it difficult to accomplish your normal daily tasks and can disrupt your relationships with others. 

Symptoms of Irritability

Irritability can appear in a variety of ways. How it looks often depends on the individual and what’s causing them to feel this way. Some of the common signs of irritability include:

• Agitation, frustration, and annoyance
• Confusion and difficulty concentrating
• Difficulty making accommodations or changing plans
• Excessive sweating
• Fatigue
• Increased breathing rate
• Rapid heartbeat
• Oversensitivity
• Short temper
• Tension

People who are feeling irritable won’t necessarily experience all of these symptoms or feel symptoms all of the time. They might feel fine in one moment, but a minor annoyance might set them off. The ensuing reaction may seem out of proportion to the situation.

Identifying Irritability

If you have been experiencing irritability regularly, it’s important that you reach out to a medical or mental health professional. During your appointment, your doctor will talk to you about the duration, severity, and impact of your symptoms. You will be asked about your medical history, medications you are taking, and your lifestyle habits.

Your doctor will perform a physical exam and may run lab tests to rule out any medical conditions that might be contributing to your symptoms. Conditions such as hyperthyroidism and diabetes, for example, can cause feelings of irritability. 

Irritability Can Have Various Causes

Feelings of irritability can have a variety of causes. Sometimes it might be linked to a temporary stressor. You might feel irritable after a poor night’s sleep or after a long day of work.

For example, it can be a symptom of the following mental health conditions:

During childhood, more irritable moods can be normal during certain periods of development. However, they can also be an indicator of a condition such as anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or oppositional defiant disorder (ODD).

Physical and medical conditions can also contribute to feelings of irritability. Some of these include:

• Chronic pain
• Low blood sugar
• Hormonal imbalances
• Hyperthyroidism
• Neck or back pain
• Poor sleep
• Stress
• Substance withdrawal
• Toothaches

How to Treat Irritability

Treatment for irritability depends upon your doctor’s diagnosis. Relieving feelings of irritability involves treating the underlying causes.

Mental Health and Irritability

For irritability caused by mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression, your doctor may recommend psychotherapy, medications, or a combination of both.

Medications such as antidepressants and other mood-stabilizing drugs may be prescribed.

Different types of therapy may be used depending on your specific diagnosis. Some options include:

Medical Conditions and Irritability

For symptoms caused by a medical condition such as a hormonal imbalance or diabetes, your doctor will recommend treatment that is appropriate for your specific needs.

Tactics That Can Help Reduce Irritability

If you are dealing with feelings of irritability, it’s important to get the right diagnosis and treatment. However, there are also things you can do on your own that can provide relief and help you to cope more effectively.

Take Care of Your Health

Caring for your physical health can help relieve some of the physical factors that might be contributing to irritability:

• Eat healthy and nutritious foods: Following a healthy diet and avoiding excessive high-fat, high-sugar foods can help you feel better overall, which may help boost your mood.
• Engage in regular physical activity: Regular exercise has been shown to have a beneficial effect on depression, so spend some time moving each day, whether it’s a session of cardio at the gym or a walk around the block.
• Practice good sleep habits: Sleep deprivation is a common cause of irritability, so focus on having a relaxing bedtime routine and going to bed and waking up at the same time each day.

Identify Your Triggers

While some people may feel irritable most of the time, in other cases you may find that there are certain situations that trigger these moods. Pay attention to the times when you feel the most irritated.

Do you get annoyed at a specific time of day, following certain events, or around certain people?

Once you better understand what precipitates these feelings, you’ll be better able to look for ways to prevent irritable moods.

Reduce Stress

Exploring different ways to manage your stress is also vital:

• Learn new relaxation techniques: Strategies like deep breathing and visualization can help you calm your mind and body when you start to get agitated.
• Practice mindfulness: Research has found that mindfulness, a technique that involves focusing on the present moment, can be helpful in reducing symptoms of conditions such as anxiety and depression. When you are focused on the here and now, you’re less likely to feel worried about the past or future.
• Seek social support: Having friends and family to lean on when you are coping with irritability can be helpful. Seeking social support and talking about your concerns with others can also combat fear, worry, and loneliness that may contribute to grouchy moods.
• Try meditation: Research suggests meditation can help people cope with stress and improve moods. Spending just a few minutes a day can be a great way to get started.
• Write in a journal: Keeping a journal can help you look for patterns in your moods over time, which may help you better identify the things that trigger feelings of irritability. Consider keeping a gratitude journal, which may help you better focus on positive feelings and combat the stress and negativity that might contribute to feelings of agitation and annoyance.

While there are self-help strategies that can help relieve your irritable moods, you should always talk to your doctor if these feelings last for a long time or become excessive. Your doctor can determine what might be causing these feelings and recommend treatments to help you feel better.

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurobehavioral condition that usually starts during childhood. ADHD can affect adults as well, whether they were diagnosed in childhood or not.

Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for ADHD in adults to go untreated, either because people don’t recognize the need for treatment or don’t realize that they even have ADHD.

This article explores the potential effects of untreated ADHD in adulthood, including how it can affect important areas of a person’s life.

Signs of Untreated ADHD in Adults

Signs of untreated ADHD in adulthood can involve:

• Difficulty multitasking
• Distractability
• Forgetfulness
• Impulsiveness
• Low frustration tolerance
• Mood swings
• Poor listening skills
• Poor planning
• Poor time management
• Problems staying on task
• Restlessness

Adults with ADHD may also have problems with interrupting others when they are speaking, misplacing things, missing important deadlines, and struggling to deal with stress or frustration.

The problem is that these signs are often labeled as immaturity or misdiagnosed as anxiety or depression. Because people with ADHD frequently have those conditions as well, being misdiagnosed or underdiagnosed then leads to undertreatment.

In adults, signs of inattention can include paying less attention to detail, having problems, and not managing time effectively. Signs of hyperactivity can involve problems with sitting through work meetings or changing jobs frequently.

While ADHD characteristics are often more readily apparent in children because they interfere in classroom performance and behavior, adults have more options when it comes to making changes in their lives to cope with such behaviors. For example, they might rely on a more organized partner to deal with time management issues or choose jobs suited to their needs.

Why Is ADHD in Adults Is Often Untreated

There are a number of different factors that can contribute to the underdiagnosis and undertreatment of ADHD in adulthood. 

Lack of Awareness

One reason why ADHD in adults goes without treatment is that people are often unaware of how having this neurotype can affect behavior. This includes both those with ADHD and healthcare providers.

It was previously believed that ADHD was primarily a childhood disorder that mostly went away as children transitioned to adulthood. While the research now indicates that ADHD does often persist into adulthood, many people are unaware that adult ADHD is a valid diagnosis.

It is also common for people to miss the signs of ADHD in adulthood because they believe that ADHD is primarily marked by hyperactivity. However, these characteristics not only appear differently in adults, but it is also more common for some adults, particularly women, to have more inattention than hyperactivity and impulsivity.

The Presence of Co-Occurring Conditions

Studies also indicate that adult ADHD frequently co-occurs alongside other mental health conditions, including anxiety disorders and substance use disorders.

Some of the most common co-occurring disorders include:

Unfortunately, the presence of co-occurring conditions not only sometimes complicates the diagnosis but also affects outcomes. People who have more than one condition tend to experience more severe problems that last longer and cause more complications.

Masking or Self-Medicating Symtoms

Adults who live with untreated ADHD often utilize a variety of strategies to disguise or compensate for their struggles. These behaviors are sometimes called ‘masking.’

Also known as camouflaging or impression management, masking can involve actions that are helpful or adaptive at times. An example of this would be choosing a fast-paced job to deal with excess energy or an inability to stop moving. 

In other cases, these behaviors can be unhealthy or even destructive. For example, people with untreated ADHD might avoid situations that cause distress or become overly perfectionistic to hide problems with forgetting.

Stigma

Stigma about mental health problems can also play a part in explaining why ADHD often goes untreated in adults. People may suspect that they have ADHD but may choose not to get an official diagnosis for fear of getting labeled. Others may have worries about taking medications to manage their ADHD characteristics. 

All of these factors can play a role in whether a person chooses to talk to a healthcare provider about the signs of ADHD they are experiencing.

Poor Access to Treatment

Lack of access to healthcare can also affect whether or not people get the treatment that they need. Not having adequate health insurance problems is still an issue for many people.

One older study found that the average annual medical costs for adults with ADHD ranged between $4,929 and $5,651 per year. The increased costs of healthcare may mean that these numbers have grown since that time.

Effects of Untreated ADHD in Adults

Potential complications associated with a ‘missed’ ADHD diagnosis include increased criminal involvement, car accidents, unemployment, relationship problems, and substance misuse.

Because ADHD in adulthood is often undiagnosed, people who have this form of neurodivergence may struggle to understand the signs and behaviors they are experiencing. They might attribute the symptoms to anxiety or depression, which can appear in similar ways, but they may also believe them to be character flaws. This can contribute to a lack of self-confidence, feelings of shame, and poor self-esteem.

Studies suggest that untreated ADHD in adults increases the risk for:

• Accidental death
• Addiction
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Impaired quality of life
• Relationship problems
• Unemployment
• Suicide

Treatment for ADHD in Adults

Getting a diagnosis of ADHD in adulthood often comes with a sense of relief. It allows them to better understand the source of many of their problems and recognize that these symptoms are due to a differences in how their brain works and not because of their own failings. 

It is important to remember that ADHD is considered a neurobehavioral condition because we live in a society with neurotypical expectations that create challenges for people with brains that work differently. ADHD is not a problem that needs to be “fixed.” It’s a neurotype that should be accommodated and supported. Having adult ADHD can create challenges, but it also means that you have many strengths as well.

Treatment for adult ADHD often involves a combination of medications, psychotherapy, skills training, and self-help strategies. 

Medications

Stimulant medications are often used to treat ADHD in both adults and children. Non-stimulant options are also available. Both can be effective, although non-stimulants take longer to work than stimulants.

However, some people may experience side effects; stimulants should be avoided if a person has a substance use disorder.

Psychotherapy

Different types of psychotherapy can help adults learn new strategies to manage their ADHD traits. Therapy can also be helpful for addressing some of the symptoms of co-occurring conditions.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help people change negative thinking patterns that make it hard to cope. Couples therapy or family therapy can also be helpful for improving relationships.

Self-Help Strategies

Adults With ADHD may benefit from a variety of self-help strategies. However each person is unique and each strategy will work for everyone. Some techniques that might be helpful:

• Use lists: Make lists of tasks that you need to accomplish each day. Check off each one as you complete it. Consider carrying a planner or appointment book with you so you can keep track of important information or appointments.
• Break projects up into smaller tasks: It is easy to feel overwhelmed by large projects, but breaking them down into smaller components and tackling them step by step can make it less intimidating.
• Have a routine: Having a structured schedule can help adults with ADHD stay on track and reduce distractibility. 
• Minimize distractions: Reducing clutter and eliminating distractions may also be helpful when you are trying to stay on task.

Because untreated ADHD in adults can have an impact on many different areas of a person’s life, including their relationships and self-esteem, it is essential to receive an accurate diagnosis if you think you have ADHD traits.

Antidepressant medications are frequently prescribed to help manage the symptoms of anxiety and panic disorder. One such option is Pristiq. Learn how Pristiq can help these conditions, along with its potential side effects, the timeline for working, dosage amount, precautions, and the capacity for withdrawal.

What Is Pristiq?

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) belongs to a class of antidepressants called serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). These medications reduce the absorption of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain and were first used to treat mood disorders, such as major depressive disorder (MDD).

SNRIs were later found to be an effective treatment for a variety of mental health conditions. Today, in addition to being used to help treat MDD, they are also prescribed for anxiety disorders, panic disorder, and social phobia.

Pristiq for Anxiety and Panic Disorder

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Pristiq for the treatment of MDD. However, it also has a few off-label uses, of which anxiety and panic disorder are two.

Anxiety

Nearly one in five people in the U.S. have an anxiety disorder, making this the most common mental health disorder nationwide. Anti-anxiety medications (anxiolytics) are one pharmacological treatment option. However, research has found that desvenlafaxine—known by the brand name Pristiq—provides benefits as well.

For example, in a 12-week double-blind study, desvenlafaxine was found effective for easing social anxiety disorder. In this case, the group receiving the drug had a 9.7-point greater reduction in their anxiety scores than those receiving a placebo.

A 2019 study compared the effects of desvenlafaxine with escitalopram, a generic drug with the trademark name Lexapro, for postmenopausal women with anxiety and depression. While escitalopram was more effective for treating depressive symptoms, the drugs were equally able to reduce anxiety.

Panic Disorder

Naturally occurring chemicals in the brain, known as neurotransmitters, are responsible for various bodily functions. These chemical messengers are believed to be imbalanced for those with mental health conditions.

Antidepressants work to restabilize certain neurotransmitters. Pristiq, specifically, impacts the neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine, both of which are thought to be dysregulated in people with panic disorder.

Serotonin influences many functions, including mood and sleep regulation. Norepinephrine is connected to the fight-or-flight response, which is the way we react to stress and anxiety. Pristiq can help bring equilibrium to both, leading to reduced anxiety, less severe panic attacks, and enhanced mood.

Potential Side Effects of Pristiq

As with any prescribed medication, there are potential side effects of taking Pristiq.

Common Side Effects

Some of Pristiq’s most common side effects include:

• Constipation
• Decreased appetite
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Dry mouth
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Insomnia
• Male sexual dysfunction
• Nausea, vomiting
• Nervousness
• Restlessness
• Sweating

You may experience some, all, or none of these effects. If you do, they typically diminish or become more manageable within a week or two of starting this medication. If they persist or worsen, consult your healthcare provider.

Serious Side Effects

Other Pristiq side effects can be more serious, making it important to contact your healthcare provider or seek emergency medical attention if any of these occur. Some of the rare but also more serious side effects of Pristiq include:

• Angle-closure glaucoma
• Blood pressure changes – too low or too high
• Changes in taste
• Heart attack
• Increased heart rate
• Increased salivation
• Increased urination frequency or trouble urinating
• Irregular menstrual cycle
• Low sodium
• Rash
• Serotonin syndrome
• Teeth grinding

How Long Does It Take For Pristiq to Work?

You probably won’t notice an immediate improvement in your anxiety or panic disorder when taking Pristiq. This is because it takes approximately four to five days to reach a steady state of this drug in the blood.

After one to two weeks, you may notice that you are sleeping better, have more energy, or that your appetite is improved. Mood-related effects generally take a bit longer, or up to eight weeks to improve fully.

Pristiq Dosage Information

Pristiq is delivered via extended-release tablets that come in one of three doses:

• 25 mg: A square tan tablet with “W 25” imprinted on it
• 50 mg: A square light pink tablet with “W 50” imprinted on it
• 100 mg: A square orange tablet with “W 100” imprinted on it

The recommended dosage is 50 mg, taken once daily; although, more may be needed to provide the desired effect. The 25 mg tablets are generally used to reduce the drug slowly when discontinuing treatment.

If you are prescribed Pristiq for anxiety or panic disorder, the tablets should be taken whole (don’t crush or cut them), and you can take them with or without food.

Pristiq Overdose

Pristiq overdose is rare but can occur if this drug is taken in high amounts. One study found 182 cases of desvenlafaxine overdose over a six-year period, 75 of which involved taking this medication only and 107 involving the use of this drug and at least one other.

Symptoms associated with Pristiq overdose included mild hypertension (high blood pressure) and tachycardia (heart rate over 100 beats per minute). None of the overdoses studied required intensive care treatment or resulted in death, and the risk of having seizures or developing serotonin toxicity was low.

Precautions for Pristiq

Some of the precautions to be aware of when taking Pristiq for anxiety or panic disorder include:

• Black box warning: In 2007, Pristiq and other antidepressants were given what’s called a “black box warning.” This label was prompted by the FDA after it was determined that these medications could potentially increase the user’s risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Adolescents and young adults can be especially impacted by this possible side effect. Any young person taking Pristiq must be closely monitored for mood alterations, behavior changes, and suicidal thoughts.

• Alcohol consumption: Drinking alcohol is not recommended while taking Pristiq as doing so may increase the toxicity of this medication. Mixing alcohol with Pristiq can also lead to the drug being ineffective.
• Pregnancy/nursing: It’s possible to pass Pristiq to a child during pregnancy or through breast milk. If you’re pregnant or nursing, consult your practitioner about the possible risks of taking Pristiq.
• Children and teens: Studies have found that 25 mg to 50 mg of desvenlafaxine per day is generally considered safe for pediatric patients. However, the FDA does say that safety has not been established for this demographic, so the potential risks must be balanced with clinical needs. The child’s healthcare provider can help decide if Pristiq should be used.
• Older adults: The cardiovascular side effects of Pristiq can be more intense for older adults. Monitoring and, if needed, reducing the dosage amount can help reduce these potential effects.

Interactions

Pristiq can interact with certain medications, potentially increasing or decreasing the drug’s response. Drugs that can negatively interact with Pristiq include:

Withdrawal From Pristiq

When discontinuing Pristiq, your healthcare provider will likely reduce your dosage slowly to help reduce any unwanted effects. If Pristiq is stopped abruptly, withdrawal may occur, creating symptoms such as:

• Abnormal dreams
• Anxiety
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)
• Insomnia
• Irritability
• Nausea

These withdrawal symptoms can also occur in people who have been taking Pristiq for a long period of time.