Anxiety Medication
Anxiety Medication questions and answers
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Q: What anxiety medication do you take and how did you first know you needed medication?
What anxiety medication do you take and how did you first know you needed medication?
A: I take Zoloft for my anxiety. I know it is an antidepressant, but it also works as an anitanxiety medicine.
I first discovered that I needed to take medication when I was in seventh grade and I realized that I had a bunch of irrational fears about dying. I didn't tell my parents, and my anxieties took over my life. My grades started dropping and I quickly became depressed. Then, the next year in eighth grade, it was even worse. I almost failed eighth grade because I couldn't concentrate. Still, I didn't tell my parents. My parents yelled at me and I felt even worse about myself. My self esteem got even lower, and I was determined to fight my anxiety and pass high school. In night grade, I tried my hardest to push away my anxieties, and I found that I thought that I could fight them by doing certain rituals which I would perform when I felt anxious, like pulling my hair, squeezing my skin, among other things to get my mind off of it. I managed to pass 9th grade with C's, but I wanted to do better than that. Then, in 10th grade everything came crashing down when I had an awful biology teacher who triggered my anxiety and I basically broke down. I would cry every night, I would have about three to four anxiety attacks a day, and I wouldn't do my homework at all. I felt like I was in a funk that I coudln't get out of. Then, on the last day of the second marking period, I faced my fears and went to my guidance counselor about my anxiety. She called my parents and my parents got me help. After about three weeks on Zoloft, I felt so much better. Now, my anxiety only comes up everyone once in a while, and I know who I can talk to about it.
If you are having any problems with anxiety, catch it before it gets worse. My anxiety took over my life and it got way out of hand. I got help though, and you can too. Talk to someone close to you and they will get you help, if you need it.
I hope this helps!
Q: What anxiety medication do you take and why do you like it best?
What anxiety medication do you take and why do you like it best?
A: Negative emotions (like sadness, stress, anger, etc.) causes your Serotonin production to be low; when your Serotonin level is low, you are more prone to getting Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Depression, etc.
Medication like Antidepressants (SSRI - Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor) helps to boost Serotonin level.
But there are natural ways to do it without medication. There's this strange herb called "St John's Wort" - it is said to be more effective than Prozac. No, it is not for mild depression only and ignore those sayings. In fact, it does help anxiety and panic-attacks as St John's Wort works like prozac. Other natural ways will be exercise, diet, more exposure to light, etc.
The problem is that, even if your Serotonin is balanced... you have that "learned behavior" in your mind. You need to break that initial cycle to destroy that learned behavior - Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) does this. A technique that you can use without CBT will be Distraction... There are several other techniques to help cope them!
Ok, to use Distraction: Firstly, try to....
Extracted from Source.
Q: Do i have to been on anti anxiety medication forever?
I've never taken anti anxiety medication and I've only suffered anxiety for the last year and half, before that I had normal amounts of anxiety. Im going to take lexapro soon, and im going to get therapy for the first time. If i take lexapro and get therapy would i need lexapro forever? Can i ween off it slowly once i get better? how long would that be typically?
A: I wish I could give you a more hopeful answer, but it is quite possible that you could be on anti-anxiety medication for your entire life, be it Lexapro or something else. It depends on a number of factors, including the severity of your anxiety.
I was on Lexapro for a number of years. At first there wasn't much of a change, so my doctor gradually increased my dosage. When that didn't change anything, he switched me to Effexor XR, gradually increasing the dosage with that as well until I am where I am today. The anxiety is under control.
If your doctor does want to take you off of the Lexapro, it will be a gradual process, depending on your dosage. One thing I certainly can tell you for sure is that once you start taking it, try never to miss a dose and certainly don't abruptly stop. The withdrawal symptoms are quite nasty.
Take this advice for what it's worth, since I'm not a doctor, just a patient. Best thing you can do both before and while you're taking the medication is ask your therapist or your doctor (whichever is prescribing for you) a lot of questions.
Q: Does anti-anxiety medication cause hair loss or weight gain?
I want to take anti-medications but they say it might cause hair loss or severe weight gain as much as 50lbs. I don't want to go through that. Also is the hair loss permanent or does it grow back?
Which brand of anti-anxiety medication don't have these side effects?
A: A good friend of mine (female) has been going through a major depression over the last couple of months, during which time she has been taking a high dose of Effexor (an antidepressant) and a low dose of Klonopin (an anti-anxiety). I'd say for the last 5 weeks she has been losing hair everyday at an alarming rate. Her once thick, long brain hair has now thinned out and is beginning to recede.
The professional school of thought so far is that it's her own depression and anxiety that is causing the hair to fall out but I can't help see a connection with the medications she's taking. Both Effexor and Klonopin can cause hair loss but these side effects are rare.
I was on a celexa another antidepresant that helps with anxiety and didnt experience any hair-loss. It has some sexual side effects, talk to your psychiatrist about it.
Q: I have read that one of the risk factors of anti-anxiety medication is a possibility of seizures?
Is that risk factor a very common one. I have been dealing with anxiety issues for quite some time but am afraid to go on medication due to the possible side affects. Any suggestions?
A: the side effects are very possible but if they bother you your dr. will change them for you. Trust me its worth taking the risk to get the treatment you need
Q: Does anti anxiety medication makes you emotionless?
Does anti anxiety medication makes you emotionless to things and not care about anything? Would I still have adrenaline type of feeling, the good kind, when you're happy and not anxious.
Would I still be able love playing guitar and listening to music? I'm afraid lexapro will make me block anxious thoughts but also happy thoughts when I do something enjoyable.
Does it only block out irrational anxiety or what if I was getting shot at by a criminal, would i just be relaxed?
A: each person reacts to each medication a little bit differently, sometimes it's a bit of a process finding the right one - if it takes away too much you can always change it later -- someone with personal experience might give you a better answer for the first part
as for the additional details, it's not going to take away your instinct to survive in dangerous situations
Q: What antidepressant/anti-anxiety medication has worked for menopausal women?
I know that antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications work differently for different people. My body aches and I cry a lot.
A: I am at that dreaded age.
I am taking Cymbalta.
I don't know if you saw the ad for Cymbalta. it asks, "Where does depression hurt?" and the answer is "Everywhere."
I take Ritalin to help my concentration and energy level.
Seroquel helps me sleep. Clonazepam helps my anxiety when I need to take it. I am doing OK for now. I hope you and your doctor will find what works best for you. Good Luck and keep cool:)
Q: What Anxiety Medication Has the lest side effects and withdrawal symptoms?
What Anxiety Medication Has the lest side effects and withdrawal symptoms,
And works well,
A: Buspar...not addictive and I took it as a PRN (as needed) and it helped tremendously.
I might also recommend THC as a PRN...it's very effective for anxiety, but not always a practical remedy.
Q: What is the best anti-anxiety medication?
I know this depends on one's particular physiology and symptoms and so on, but in my experience each medication tends to cause the same side effect profile in most people. Currently I am on 20 mg per day of Lexapro and I am trying to decide whether or not to try a different medication. I have been on it for several months and, although it has helped my anxiety it has come with a cost. Namely, I have the following unpleasant side effects: (1) apathy, low motivation; (2) fatigue, drowsiness; and (3) anorgasmia, decreased sex drive. Also, I do not feel as though Lexapro has addressed my depression, only my anxiety. Decreasing the dosage isn't an option because the positive effects just disappear. But I do not want to go through withdrawal (brain zaps, mostly) if it's just going to be the same with a dif med. If anyone has had a similar experience and can offer some advice, I'd be very grateful. (No need to respond if you just want to tell me it's all in my head or need God.) Thanks.
A: I have successfully been treated with Prozac for several years. It was the only thing that worked for me after trying several others. Also, my doctor put me on xanax temporarily for the anxiety and panic attacks. Now I take Prozac daily and have just gotten stronger and stronger. best wishes
Q: what is a good depression and anxiety medication that won't mess with my sex life?
i have been diagnosed with depression and anxiety, and i am suppose to go in next week to get medication, and talk with my doctor, but i was on prozac b4 and it like lowers libido and sexual interest and i don't want that to happen.
A: See depression and anxiety treatments, at http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris in sections 2, and 6. As far as I am aware, they can all result in some form of sexual dysfunction, so try the treatments, and herbal remedies first, for a few months; then, if insufficient (unlikely) pursue other options, but always use www.drugs.com first.
Q: I have crazy anxiety, what is a good anti-anxiety medication?
I already take Zyprexa, which is an anti-psychotic medication, however I'm going to ask my doctor to add an anti-anxiety medication to my treatment too....because my anxiety is out of control, i have trouble even driving a car. I would like to know what medications have worked well for others to help with anxiety and what medications haven't worked well. I don't mind medications that cause weight gain or fat, I just want one that works.
A: Paxil. I have been taking Paxil for about 5 years now. It has...just mellowed me out so much. I didn't realize how bad my anxiety actually was until I was put on Paxil. I am a totally different person now.
And it does not cause weight gain at all, actually gives me a bit of an energy boost.
Good luck :o)
Q: Anyone know a good online pharmacy for anxiety medication that delivers to the U.K?
Hi, I'm looking for recomendations for websites from people who have bought anxiety medication online and had it shipped to the U.K? Please only post good recommendations and not lectures, as I am fully able to make a decision on whether or not I need anxiety medication to help with certain situations, like flying, stressful work problems etc..
Thanks again,
A: Not sure what medications you need specifically but try here:
http://www.half-price-pharmacy.net/
They are in the UK so no customs charges
Q: how long does it take for anxiety medication to kick in(for panic attacks) after first use?
after i start taking anxiety medication for panic attacks, when will my symptons start to go away? first use? after a few days? or after several weeks?
A: It depends what the meds are... are they benzos, antidepressants (zoloft, prozac exffexor, etc)...
If they are antidepressants, it usually takes about 2 to 4 weeks.
There are other meds that act instantly, bu they just calm you down.