"having been diagnosed with general anxiety disorder over ten years ago and taking xanax 1 mg. twice a day, i was surprised when my doctor prescribed lexapro, not instead of, but in addition to.  he said it was a mood stabilizer, but i know its and ssri generally used as an anti-depressant.  medical guidelines now require, or at least i&#039;ve been told as much by my doctor, that primary physicians are required to ask questions regarding mental health.  i was asked, &quot;have you in the past two weeks lost interest in your normal activities?&quot;  no.  &quot;have you in the past two weeks had thoughts of suicide?&quot;  no.  still, he prescribed the lexapro and i started taking it.  the side effects were horrible.  every symptom of depression, which i didn&#039;t have"