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Prozac User Reviews & Ratings

Prozac has an average rating of 7.2 out of 10 from a total of 1,199 reviews on Drugs.com. 65% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 20% reported a negative experience.

Reviews for Prozac

  • READT...
  • August 20, 2020

For Depression "Even though I always said I was never going to post anything on this webpages because I was "not depressive", I kinda feel that I have to give back and I really really hope that someone gets to read this and gives a try not to the pill itself, but to your own person and finally start living and not just surviving. It's not such big deal I promise, diabetics get insulin from other sources outside the body, it is kinda the same for you, you just need a little more of your serotonin an voila. My only regret is having wasted and missed on so many things because of my pride against anti depressants and self-pity attitude . Hang in there, you got this. > ONE YEAR AGO I WAS YOU READING THIS COMMENTS THINKING IT WOULD NEVER GET BETTER. WELL IT GOT PRETTY DAMN BETTER. (: God bless whoever is reading this."

10 / 10
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  • Dawn
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • April 1, 2021

For Depression "I am 34 and I have experienced severe anxiety and depression since I was about 12 years old. I started off with Prozac 10mg for the first 6 weeks and then went up to 20mg. I've been on it for a little over 2 months now and I feel amazing. I'm sleeping better, not emotional eating. I'm happier, I haven't cried except tears of joy bc of how ALIVE I finally feel again. I feel like for the longest time I've been in this dark hole just seeing the sun occasionally but now I can feel the warmth of the sun kissing my skin. I smile when I see the sun. I smile when I feel the rain or a breeze. The little things that matter most. I feel everything again. I'm also doing things I use to love, that I eventually stopped doing when I was in my dark place. My kids are happy to have their mom back! I highly recommend this. Prozac saved my life"

10 / 10
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  • Patrick
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • August 10, 2021

For Anxiety and Stress "I was encouraged by my psychiatrist to try Prozac for the first time, 20 mg a day. I spent many many years always worried about other people's feelings to the point of overthinking things constantly. Worrying what people thought of me and I had low self-esteem and low self opinion. Social anxiety was always a serious problem for me also. With that being said, anxiety and worry crept in to full-blown depression. So my doctor put me on Prozac 20 mg. At first it made me a little drowsy but it gave me a way better feeling of calmness, peace and basically not worried at all about little things or what people thought of me. And after about a month, all of those chronic worry stress and fears were totally gone. Totally. In my own personal experience Prozac allowed me to tackle the important things of life and not worry or even think of petty things and other people's behavior. It basically gets rid of toxic stress and worry. And makes you mentally "strong" if that makes sense."

10 / 10
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Frequently asked questions

  • priya
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • May 26, 2017

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I don’t find a lot of positive stories about antidepressants, or I find stories where people are taking the antidepressant the wrong way. I wanted to share my experience. A positive one. I’ve had generalized anxiety disorder, SEVERE OCD, and panic disorder for as long as I can remember. My first memory of having an episode was when I was 4 years old at my kindergarten interview. I feel as though I was born with the illnesses mentioned above, right from the womb. When I was a child I was extremely anxious, had bad separation anxiety from my parents and had extreme OCD, I was just a kid and thought that the way I was feeling is how all kids felt, I didn’t realize that I was different. This went on, and got even worse in middle school. I began developing trichtilomania in middle school. In high school I went from being a 90% above student, to failing every class within a couple of years. I couldn’t leave the house. My panic disorder and gad caused debilitating physical symptoms. I would be shaking when I had to leave the house, I wouldn’t drink alcohol because I was afraid of vomiting, I was suffering so much, for my whole entire life with severe phobias, fears, and anxiety. I prayed and prayed and prayed to God every night for it to go away. I was a 16 year old living in a prison of her own mind. It never went away. Every single day was the worst day of my life, I would wake up and the thoughts just started, I never had a break. My life was exhausting. I am of east indian background and my parents didn’t understand mental illness well. It is very taboo in my culture. I went to tons of doctors and they told me it was just growing pains, no doctor ever told me that maybe I should see a therapist. I didn’t have any support. When I was 22 I attempted suicide. Luckily the attempt didn’t work and I was forced to go on medication. I was livid, I was so against antidepressants, I was so so so scared, it felt unnatural. My general practitioner put me on Effexor, I took it for almost 8 weeks, it helped me to not want to kill myself, but It also made me gain tons of weight which made me depressed, and it make me hear voices. One evening a voice told me to choke my mom, and I started freaking out and my parents drove me immediately to the hospital. At the hospital I talked to a psych nurse who calmed me down, and got me an appointment with a psychiatrist the next day. This appointment and this psychiatrist saved my life, and changed my entire life. I want to really mention that you should not be going to a General Practitioner for mental illness medication, you should ALWAYS…ALWAYS go to a psychiatrist no matter what. If your GP is the only person you are seeing to help you manage your meds for ocd, anxiety, etc, that is the WRONG MOVE. That is such a common mistake people are making, you NEED a psychiatrist in order to get the meds right, please do not just go to your regular doctor, you’ll be cheating yourself. I went to the psychiatrist appointment the next day. It was the first time I had ever seen a psychiatrist. I got into her room and we talked about everything, my childhood, my phobias, my ocd. She then brought my parents into the room to explain the whole situation to them and the fact that I have a chemical imbalance in my brain and that I have been suffering for way too long. My parents were so supportive. The doctor told me I was on the wrong medication, that I never should have been placed on Effexor which is an SNRI, and that I should be on an SSRI considering my main problem is OCD and GAD. We talked a lot about it and she told me she would like to place me on Prozac. She said for me, because my neural pathways have been the same for 20 plus years, that I would need a higher dosage of Prozac especially for anxiety and OCD. I see on this forum, that so many people are on 20mg, or 40mg for anxiety disorders. You should be on 60mg at least, do not be afraid to go higher. People that say Prozac or an SSRI didn’t really do anything for their anxiety or ocd is because they are only taking a 20mg dose, That is not an OCD dose. 40-80mg for anxiety and OCD. Please up your dose. Use the medication, REALLY USE IT. Do not be afraid! My doctor started me on 40mg, eventually took me to 100mg, and then I went back to 80mg. Yes the side effects are insane, I was nauseated, I couldn’t sleep, I was shaking, I had anxiety, but she prescribed me Ativan and said to use it until the Prozac kicked in. That the Ativan would keep me comfortable until that happened. Don’t try to be a hero, use your Ativan or your Xanax or whatever to stay as comfortable as possible. I could write so much more, but I’ll conclude with this. 4 months after being on 80mg of Prozac everyday, I woke up one day and I was cured. Yes cured. I had no OCD, I had no anxiety, I no longer had fears or phobias. I was cured. You have no idea how that day felt. It was like the first day of my whole entire life. I woke up being the real me, who is free spirited and isn’t afraid of anything! I was finally free, I was no longer a prisoner. I didn’t even have to go to therapy. I just woke up one day a brand new person, from taking a high dose of Prozac every single day. DO NOT go off of the antidepressants. Your ocd, your anxiety, depression etc will come back. I WOULD never dream or even think to come off of my antidepressants, I have an illness, that will return if I go off the medication, because I have a brain disorder. OCD is a brain disorder. Do not stop taking medication for your brain disorder, do not try to fix your brain disorder with just a 20mg or 40mg dose. Own your medication, be on it for life. It’s been 5 years since I have been cured. If it wasn’t for Prozac, I would be dead. 1) You need a psychiatrist 2) Do not be afraid to take more than 40mg of Prozac to treat panic attacks etc, I am on 80mg a day and my life is a ball. It is so wonderful and so carefree. 3) Do not stop the meds. Be on the meds for life."

10 / 10
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  • Anon
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • January 22, 2020

For Depression "this drug was a game changer........ after 2 weeks , significant improvement in mood and general feeling of starting to get back up. By week 6 , back on form, back at work. 3 years I have been on it and don’t intend coming off it. Have stuck at 20mg and never felt as calm and content. Side effects, none , benefits a new life"

10 / 10
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Are you taking this medicine?

  • Peach
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • September 5, 2020

For Anxiety and Stress "Hello! I was prescribed Prozac for anxiety and depression. I started the first week only taking 10mg and moved to 20mg on week two. I’ve been taking this medication for less than a month, but I already feel so much better. I would spend about 2-3 nights a week crying from worry and stress. I also suffer from PMDD and a week before my periods I would become extremely depressed. Since I started taking Prozac I haven’t had any crying spells, I’m much more calm, I am able to think clearly about things instead of becoming overwhelmed with stress. I also feel way more motivated in my daily life and I actually look forward to the future instead of being scared of it. The only side effects I experienced was a little bit of nausea and feeling tired (this lasted the first two weeks, but it’s gone now.) Everyone reacts differently to medication, so don’t let the bad reviews scare you!"

10 / 10
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  • Alex
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • July 10, 2021

For Depression "20mg to 40mg. What a change! I've been on 20mg Prozac for 2 months and I must say it made me feel worse than before, I had high anxiety, I couldn't leave my house and most of the days I have spent in bed. On weeks 7-8 I literally thought I will come off this medication but I waited and seen my doctor, we have increased the dose to 40mg (2 tablets a day) It has been 2 weeks now and I must say I feel such a change. I am able to think again, I go to bed smiling and did not spend a single day in bed. I feel more comfortable doing the house chores, it doesn't seem impossible anymore. Not sure if it works for everyone, but it's worth the wait. Seems like the 20mg just weren't enough for me, 40mg changed my life so far. I PRAY TO GOD IT WILL STAY LIKE THIS, if it does I know I will be getting my life back. Ps. I was diagnosed with severe depression and post traumatic disorder / amnesia."

9 / 10
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More FAQ

  • Ellie
  • April 20, 2021

For Anxiety and Stress "This medication has been great. I was so afraid to start, and the first 5-6 days I didn’t feel well. On day 8 I felt so much better! I don’t have panic attacks, I can breathe, I sleep better and don’t get stressed over tiny things. I still have negative thoughts but let them go immediately. I feel like I’m a nicer person and I feel like I can listen to other people again without my thoughts taking over. On day 14 of 20mg and staying on this dose at the moment. Don’t let reviews scare you!"

10 / 10
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  • SCano
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • January 22, 2020

For Anxiety and Stress "This drug has been life changing for me, no more anxious or obsessive thoughts. If you are scared to try it please don't be. I can't believe the way I used to think and live life before taking this. Now my thought process have changed and I feel like I am myself again. I sleep better at night, and I eat better. I used to use food as a way to cope with my emotions. Now that is not the case, I eat normally and anxiety does not plague my life. No more obsessive thinking over small things. I have nothing but good things to say about Prozac. Honestly I just wished I had took it sooner, but now I am just glad I am able to live life, no more being held prisoner inside my own mind. I am free."

10 / 10
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  • Scare...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • February 17, 2020

For Anxiety and Stress "I’ve been on Prozac for 7 weeks now, I started 10mg & increased 20mg after 10 days. I absolutely did feel worse before I felt better. I was already at an unbearable level with my anxiety & the Prozac did increase it for me for around 2 weeks. After around 3 weeks I started to feel good, I can drive again, I’m starting to enjoy being outside & doing things. I’m a lot happier, settled & at least 80% less anxious. I still have moments & I’m definitely not cured but I’m managing. Side effects for me are vivid dreams, loss of appetite & some weight loss. In the beginning side effects were insomnia, increased anxiety, intrusive thoughts & agoraphobia. I got through it & it was like the sun finally came out once they started working. I spent hours researching & reading reviews scaring myself silly. If you’re doing that also, I can’t say what it will do for you as everyone is different but for me, it has improved my life. If I can get through those 1st tough 2 weeks anyone can."

9 / 10
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  • Panda...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 7, 2020

For Anxiety and Stress "I've been crying and overwhelmed every day. I'm a health care worker in a hospital & before this pandemic, I didn't need any meds for anxiety/stress. I have a happy life. But then this pandemic struck us & I lost it control ... I have been on 10mg/day for one week & so far so good. I'm not freaking out as bad anymore. Crying way less. But I'll see how I feel as time goes on."

9 / 10
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  • OCD
  • December 31, 2020

For Depression "Man, what I journey I went on with medicines before Prozac :/ . Before I was on Seroquel XR & that was terrible bc that made me feel so strange all the time. I finally got off of that & tried Prozac because I’ve always dealt with OCD & Intrusive thoughts. I cannot express how true every review is about the first couple weeks, 3-4 you won’t feel anything really, honesty my anxiety was a little stronger, but trust me when I tell you it is all well worth it. I honestly feel amazing now, I can just think better & more clearly & now I understand my intrusive thoughts are only thoughts, they aren’t my actions. Man I used to fight with my thoughts all the time & ask why did I think that, why did I think this, now I understand so much more about myself & who I am & who I want to be. I was running out of hope bc I just couldn’t shake my OCD tendencies & intrusive thoughts, but just give the medication time to work, your body is adjusting to it."

10 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • October 10, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "I just want to say if you are hesitant to take this medication, don’t be! it’s wonderful! and STOP GOOGLING SIDE EFFECTS! I did this and it this put way too many ideas into my head when I finally started taking Prozac. I put off taking this medication for far too long, and finally caved in taking it when my anxiety started causing me to fall into depression. I was too afraid to even go to sleep by myself before taking this, and within my first dose (only 10mg) I slept through the night all by myself. Everyday I have continued to feel a bit better. 1st month I started taking 10mg and by month 2 I am now on 20mg. Before taking this I was suffering with panic attacks multiple times a week and now haven’t had one since I started. The power of medication is truly amazing. Once you start, stay strong and power through! Be patient. Even if this medication isn’t the fit for you, don’t fret, there are plenty of other options available. You will get through this!! Start taking your meds TODAY!!"

9 / 10
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  • Reba
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 28, 2020

For Depression "After just a week on this drug Prozac, I feel so much better! I've been able to get up out of bed and start living my life again. It's been SO good. Tons of energy, so much so that I had to take it in the morning. It's improved my appetite but I don't overeat. I'm so grateful for this drug! My side effects have been super minimal. I hope it continues working as well as it has! I came here to read the comments because it's working almost too well. Heh. I hope it holds out."

10 / 10
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  • Zee
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • August 8, 2020

For Depression "I've suffered with mental health issues since I was a teenager and I am now nearly 30. I've tried different medications such as sertraline and venlafaxine and couldn't stand the side effects and gave up. This medication Prozac has been so helpful. Apart from yawning I've had no other side effects. More energy, more productive, calmer and a little more confident. I've only been on it a month and after the first week I felt so much better. Hoping it will stay like this! Bpd traits, anxiety, depression"

10 / 10
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  • Ben
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • September 12, 2019

For Depression "This medication is great for people who worry excessively. It softens the blows in life. I am thankful that this medicine is available to treat depression and anxiety. I have taken 40 mg per day for years. I remember what my life was like before this drug was prescribed to me. I am much better now. If you are reluctant to try this drug, please know that it has helped many people. I hope you are one of them."

8 / 10
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  • 18 yr...
  • September 5, 2020

For Anxiety and Stress "I started at 10 mg dose of Prozac for GAD and some depression. I took 10mg, and moved to 20mg and it made me bleed (menstrual bleed), like a period NOT in my pee. Blood in pee can be a negative side effect of prozac, but my blood work was fine. I went back on 10, and every time I go up on dosage I bleed again. I look back now and see that suffered from anxiety for so much longer than needed to, I couldn't be more happier to have taken that chance and I want to encourage you not to be afraid because the pros beat the cons. Also before Prozac, I had EXTREMELY bad stomach issues, and taking prozac has dramatically helped my pain. Also my dreams are CRAZY. They are always nightmares and often wake me, sweating. My doctor prescribed me a drug called clonidine only 0.1 mg and I've been taking it for 3 nights and my sleep and nightmares have gotten much better already. Although these drugs can have side effects, there are ways around them to make your life better. You are not alone, it gets better. Thank you everyone whose shared here you are LOVED."

9 / 10
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  • guest
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • June 5, 2015

For Anxiety and Stress "I have battled anxiety for years. I have a supportive family, a loving husband and child, and could not understand why I wanted to sleep or cry the days away, the months away, the years away..... My breaking point was my family was struggling to comprehend why I did not want to do anything we loved anymore or be active in our daily life. It hit me hard I could not walk into a room of people without going into a panic. Prozac is the 3rd medicine I tried. I feel like a million dollars now. I am me again. I was on 10mg for 1 month and now 20mg a day. I'm crying as I write this because anxiety is real. It effected everything in my life. But not anymore. My fear and panic are gone. I can run circles around my loved ones! It's great."

10 / 10
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  • Kim
  • July 7, 2019

For Depression "I’m 30 & was battling clinical depression. I was initially prescribed 10 mg of Prozac 2 months ago. The first day I took it was almost like I’d taken a sleeping pill. I FINALLY could sleep, but it didn’t make me “sleepy”. I actually had way more energy. My anxiety slowly stopped. I slowly had happier thoughts. After a month my dosage was increased to 20 mg and the first week of that I actually started feeling a little depressed again, but after a week and a half my mood elevated. I started getting involved in activities again. I started hanging out with my family and friends again. I make an effort to do my hair & makeup, work out, work on goals... I’m back to me. I’m truly happy. Prozac saved my life... for real. I feel a part of this world again when at one point in time I didn’t want to be a part of this world. It works, it just takes time. You will feel like nothing is happening for a while, but one day you’ll just be happy and you’ll actually notice it."

10 / 10
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  • Macar...
  • August 9, 2020

For Anxiety and Stress "Hello! So I have been taking Prozac for my anxiety, it will be a year really soon. I definitely feel such a positive change in myself. I remember before going to school I would have panic attacks, I would stress so much I'd become sick, and I would shake and sweat badly from the stress. I would cry so much from becoming overly stressed. Now, I feel a significant change. I am much more calm in stressful situations. I also don't cry or get angry easily. I'm young, so my parents let me decide if I wanted to try the medication. I was worried about all the side affects, but after some overthinking, I decided to try it out. It took about 1 and a half months to start feeling a change, and I wish I took it earlier. I 100% recommend this medication to anyone with anxiety. It has changed my life and it is one of the best decisions I've ever made!"

10 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • February 8, 2021

For Anxiety and Stress "Man, what a journey/nightmare. Dealing with OCD & Anxiety & intrusive thoughts is absolutely no joke, I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy. I swear I wouldn’t. But man I’ll tell you PROZAC SAVED MY LIFE. Where do I even start. I was dealing with so much OCD & Anxiety - From intrusive thoughts, to literally doing things over & over again, to realizing it wasn’t the thing that I was doing that was bothering me, it was that I didn’t know how to control my OCD. I was completely lacking self control in every way shape & form. But man, I’ll tell you. The first month on Prozac, I didn’t feel any different, honestly, I felt worse, but that was because my body was adjusting & I wasn’t being patient, I wanted immediate results & I still was lacking self control! But let me tell you, after 2 months on this medicine, I AM ALIVE AGAIN!!! :) I can breathe properly, I can think properly, I understand what triggers my OCD, BE YOURSELF."

10 / 10
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  • Liv
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • June 2, 2020

For Anxiety and Stress "I have suffered from anxiety and panic attacks since high school...I’m a 21 year old college student now. I was prescribed Prozac over 6 months ago, but didn't have the courage to take it. I initially came here and read the reviews which freaked me out. The past months I have been dealing with unbearable anxiety and panic attacks, that I could no longer manage. I gave in and have been on Prozac for 1 month now. The first week I had no side effects besides a headache. The second week came and the symptoms I had were obsessive thoughts, one bad panic attack, increased anxiety, feeling out of body, etc. This continued into week 3, but eventually got better. The middle of week 3 going on week 4 I feel very good! I have had little to no anxiety issues and can actually function in the world! This medication plus therapy once a week has been a good combination!"

8 / 10
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  • Pcole...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 3, 2021

For Depression "Just started on it tonight for depression and anxiety. Wellbutrin didn't really work that well for me and I've read alot of positive reviews with only very few bad ones . I have klonopin for any of the side effects I have . Thanks guys for the great reviews. Whoever is reading this never ever give up . It will get better I promise , and pray to the good lord above . He is the only reason I'm still here ..he can work miracles better than any medicine ever can . God bless you all."

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  • Chris...
  • October 6, 2016

For Anxiety and Stress "For anyone who is hesitant about trying an anti depressant like Prozac because maybe you have too much pride, or you're embarassed that you have to take a pill everyday to feel like yourself. I was suffering with anxiety and depression for about 5 years after a really traumatic car accident and refused to try anything. I'm in my early 20s I thought I was too young. I only wished I would've listened to my body and mind sooner. Prozac changed my life. I only take 20mg and it is incredible. I feel happy.. I feel calm. I feel like my old self. I haven't had any anxiety in months.. I'm not moody. It's like that big dark cloud is finally gone, don't be afraid to try this anti depressant. Im a brand new Me, because of it. I feel invincible"

10 / 10
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  • Slimlys
  • September 21, 2020

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I cannot even put into words how much Prozac saved me. I was struggling badly with severe OCD and it was taking over my life. I couldn’t function like a normal person anymore and it was a very dark time for me. My doctor put me on Prozac and the first month I didn’t really notice a change. After the first month went by, everything got better for me. I noticed myself not worrying about OCD anymore and actually felt genuinely happy inside. It’s been 8 months on Prozac and I can honestly say I love my life now, I’m truly happy & OCD isn’t something I’m controlled by anymore. Although it never goes away completely, it is now 100 percent manageable. :)"

10 / 10
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Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.