experience with anti-anxiety drugs?

I've finally come to the point where anxiety is getting in the way of normal functioning. This morning I went to one of my classes, started feeling REALLY weird and anxious (sweaty, insides in knots, shaky, heart beating fast, and having the feeling that I needed to leave the room full of people right NOW), and had to skip my next class so I could go lay down. A week before finals... this isn't good. I have had this happen to me in classes, and in lots of public places before, but it's been brought to my attention as a problem now because it just got in the way of a pretty important class. This afternoon I made an appointment at the counseling center, and I'm really considering asking about anti-anxiety drugs when I go in. Do any of you have experience , positive or negative, with this sort of thing? Thanks!
~Nova

 

effexor - 2 months. i used i primarily for anxiety and depression, and stoped using it once mt life was more sane. no side effects asside from the occasional nightmare.

 

i'm not sure if you're set on 'drugs' or not???? but there are a LOT of natural things you can do to help with your anxiety issues. there are sooo many incredible plants that have calming properties. & if you're not into making your own remedies, there are even a lot of supplements out there ready made at the healthfood store....just a thought. you can pm me if you want some info...
good luck, sweetie, & big (((hugs))) to you

 

The anti-anxiety drugs like Atavan (I think thats how it's spelled) and those like it are addictive, I think their classified as Benzotriaza..... something. I guess as a last resort I'd use them. I've thought about using the anti-anxiety medications but think the cure maybe worse than the illness, anyhow find a good psychiatrist and councellor be honest with them about what you're going through. I have serious anxiety issues, I find the anti-depressant Remeron helpful, it has some sedating qualities that help me sleep. I hope you get the help you need, anxiety can be paralyzing, making life suck. You deserve to be happy.

 

I have taken Zoloft on two different occasions for anxiety. Both times it has helped, but the first time I started smoking pot when I started to go off of it, so I didn't really notices the effects of stopping. The second time I wasn't smoking pot, so I really noticed the withdrawls. I was pretty sick. I think that I should have gone off of if even more gradually than I had.
It really helps to have a counsellor too. They can teach you strategies to deal with your anxiety.
If you don't want to go on pharmaceuticals, you should still visit with a counsellor. It was really helpful to me, and I still use the techniques that she taught me when things get a little hairy in life.
Good luck! *hugs*

 

I'm reading a book by Jon Kabat-Zin, Wherever Yo Go There You Are. It speaks about meditation. Following his thoughts and doing the excersizes has brought a sense of calm when I practice them. I need more discipline to get the full benefit. Hope you're doing well.

 

i was only paxil for 6 mos or so, first year in college, i guess thing effected me more then i noticed,
the only side effects i experianced were, hellish nightmares and a big jump in lebedo..

i was with out my supply for a week and noticed after 3 days or some of not taking any i had headaches, so i kind of rationed it till i could get back to my home/supply

other then that no withdrawl and would say it helped enough to make it worth wile

 

...

 

I was on effexor for almost two years, and no joking, it totally saved me. BUT it was a bitch to come off...it's been since October 1 (of this year) for me since I've had any, and the anxiety *has* returned a little bit but so far it's under control. Medication can be a good idea, definitely, but I would recommend it along with counselling.

 

A friend of mine was perscribed those, but he was too scared to take them.

 

^^^
effexor?

 

I take xanax. Doctor's hate prescribing it to people like "us" though. It took me years to get it prescribed. But it's the only thing that helps me. It's very addicting though. And doctors assume that if you look out of the norm, you an more likely to be a drug addict. I won't take pharms unless the anxiety was really really bad. Like the kind I have. Which is caused by OCD related thoughts. For most people I would recommend a healthier diet, exercise, and getting laid more.

 

For anxiety they will usually prescribe one of two things, either anti-depressants or Benzo's such as xanax, or valium.

Depression can trigger social anxiety, but the causes of generalized anxiety disorders may respond better to anti-anxiety drugs, and in some cases, MAOI's can trigger panic attacks in healthy individuals.

They can be very effective, helping you cope with anxiety problems, but they can also become addictive. Make sure you consult your doctor.

 

I might have to go on medication if my fear disorder isn't going away by cognitive therapy. (in therapy for fear of illness). I'm quite against these things though; accidents that happen with them are far too frequent and they sound quite evil to me.
But what has to be has to be.

 

Pot can cause anxiety! It sure as hell did for me! Maybe if u stopped toking up you wouldnt need anti anxiety meds in the first place!
I look Fluxontine for just over a year and it worked wonders. I still get occasional relapses of anxiety but theyare not very mild and shortlived. Before that I was on Aropax - which almost destroyed my life.
Sometimes it can take a while before you find the right medication for you. In the meantime I reccomend therapy and really reaching to your family and friends. They can really make a difference.

 

I didn't start smoking pot until I wasn't anxious anymore. I kept taking the meds for a while after I was "Cured", but I continued smoking pot. Then I stopped smoking pot. For about a year. Then I had to go back on the meds for anxiety, during which time, I wasn't smoking pot. Thanks for your concern though.

 

I'm currently on the lowest dose of Paxil available [12.5 mg] for panic disorder/anxiety---
So far I haven't had any bad side affects... I was apprehensive to take them, because I'm really not one for medication... however, like you, I was getting to the point where it was affecting my life in a horrible way--- I plan on going to therapy and all, but I didn't want to spend another day dealing with it. Once I begin therapy and learn how supress the attacks, I'm going off the medication for sure.

Anyway, the low dose of Paxil is perfect because I haven't gotten any panic attacks in probably two weeks now... but, because the dose is so low, I don't get that numb feeling from being on the medication like you sometimes may... you know the numb feeling where...you just can't ever feel happy or sad because it sedates you. That sucks, I've had that before---so I wouldn't recommend going on anything real strong.

Paxil is actually used FOR panic disorder more so than any other medication, and I'd assume if you have anxiety you experience panic attacks?? Anyway... talk to your doctor and see what they say. Sometimes Paxil can have negative effects on people and make it worse... but, I have never had a problem with it.

Anyway I hope that helps a little

 

I was on effexor too when I was like, 15 or so... it's actually supposed to be one of the safest medications out there.

 

My anxiety is so bad I think I may have had a couple of minor heart attacks.

 

I concur.

I can't smoke pot because I get horrible panic attacks. I wouldn't say though, that pot causes panic, but rather it can trigger it if you already have the disorder and/or a chemical imbalance, already.

I used to smoke quite a lot and had to stop because I would get frequent and horrific panic attacks when I would.

*sigh* It's too bad really