anxiety help with medication

LegacyUser

Hi. i have suffered years with anxiety and social phobia. I have been to a psychitrist for the last 4 months and it hasnt helped one bit. my doctors says that i am too young to go on medication. But shouldnt that be my choice? anyway can i "demand" her to out me on medication as it is the only available road. I have been on natural remedies aswell but to be frank they are absolute rubbish. they just give me IBS. SO anyone who has any suggestions on what i should do would be greatly appreciated. thanks

dudara

Without being inquisitive, how young are you? A doctor would probably not refuse to place a patient on medication without good grounds.

What are you anxious about?

Esel

Why is medication the only road? Ask your shrink about Cognitive Behaviour Therapy.

stcatherine

esel wrote:

Why is medication the only road? Ask your shrink about Cognitive Behaviour Therapy.

Absolutely, this is another avenue you can go down before the medication. If you read posts on here about people taking anti D's you will know that they don't 'Cure' , they only help to give you the confidence to address any underlying issues.
In your case it does sound like CBT would be a great help. Good luck !

UrbanFox

Additionally, there is a popular mythology that the medication route will fix all difficulties in this department like some sort of psychological anti-biotic !

Drug treatment is something best kept in reserve and until it is really required as it can cause as much trouble as it is supposed to fix.

Turquoise

That seems strange...I was prescribed anti-d's by my GP at only 16 for severe anxiety and depression. I decided not to go on them in the end for various reasons...but it seems odd that he won't prescribe them - what age are you?
Like the others have said, they're not just a fix-it anyway - I've heard alot of positive things about CBT.

Esel

Turquoise wrote:

That seems strange...I was prescribed anti-d's by my GP at only 16 for severe anxiety and depression.

Was that a few years ago? The reason I ask is that afaik least some ADs are not now recommended for people under 18.

LegacyUser

esel wrote:

Was that a few years ago? The reason I ask is that afaik least some ADs are not now recommended for people under 18.

Well there was one in particular wasnt there - was it seroxat?? - where the manufacturer had clear evidence that it had led to an increased tendency towards suicide in the case of minors. They tried to cover this up.


As regards the original post, unfortunately drugs are only a temporary solution - that can lead to a bigger problem. Dependancy, etc. I've been prescribed benzo's (xanax) for the last 2 years and i can safely say that i am now dependent.
Going down the longer road ie. cbt/pychiatry(sp?) is a tougher road. Its also bloody expensive and whilst IF you find a solution this way, its a hell of a lot better, there are no guarantees.
Not the answers your looking for but the reality. Check out some of the specialist forums on the www that deal specifically with anxiety disorders. Everyones situation is different - you may find info from other sufferers with what appears a similar situation and how they are coping/dealing with it.

Good luck

Turquoise

It was in the summer of 2006, so only a little over a year ago. *scratches head* When was there a change in procedure?
I was prescribed Lexapro, though like I said I decided not to go on it.

leex

Try doing some research on Accupuncture to see if it may help.

LegacyUser

I was prescribed anti-depressants and had to be taken off them after 3 days..can't remember the name as they seriously disturbed my sleep...caused dizziness....and for the one and only occasion made me contemplate suicide...not so much suicide but a massive sense of despair and saw no way out.....on Rivotril currently...well take about one every third day..when things get very rough and even then only reluctantly...........

Medication has it's place but only as a last resort...not a first....... Counselling and yes C.B.T. have helped me a lot and quite probably could you......changing your thinking is the only long term route to stability I feel...easier said than done....but if it can be done it's the best option

LegacyUser

'im 20 yrs old. I have had EMDR therapy but that failed and CBT seems very expensive and just cannot afford it at the moment. if the medication were to help me long term then i do not really see a huge problem with it. my psychiatrist says that i do not respond well to therapy such as EMDR and maybe that would be the same for CBT.'

LegacyUser

Yes medication can and does help....every individuals needs are different...and everyone's body responds differently....there is c.b.t. available through medical cards...there may also be trainee Counsellors available cheaply...perhaps ask your G.P.?...In my fallible opinion perhaps try medication...but if possible see a Counsellor also?

The body can in time become addicted or resistant to some medication..with a result that it needs to be changed or stopped ..and sometimes with side affects..often takes a while initially to find the right medication to work with your body

I'm not however saying not to take it...if you need to and it does help then do...but I'd advise that you maybe examine other options long term also

KilbarrackBlows

Hello
well i posted on here loads of times about anxiety and id never say go on medication it can f$** you up more than help you half the time.
Check out a cognative therapist i went to one it helped and i tried a hypno therapist that helped alot but i couldnt afford it for to long so i left that alone.

Try getting over some anxiety before going on meds like go to places that are really hard for you till its not such a big deal..

I was put on loads of crap like zanex but most meds kill your personality
the one im on at the moment is lexapro 10 mg and its only a small mg but it just cut the edge of the anxiety but try everything before settling for medication it can take a long time to find a medication your body agree's with i was some sort of meds over the years forget the name but it made me want to kill myself for ages :eek:

LegacyUser

'Zanex (Xanex?) can be prescribed where you have over-active imagination, rather than an underlying cause leading to anxiety and increased nervousness. If you are of a nervous disposition, Xanex can help you relax, but it does alter perceptions and you should only explore it as an avenue to teach yourself how to relax. It's not a social crutch, only a learning guide.

Incidentally, if your doctor said you were too young for meds, they're probably right.'

Esel

AFAIR, Xanax is addictive, and possibly ineffective, after four weeks continuous use. Ii is a benzodiazepine, and alcohol should not be taken when on it.

KilbarrackBlows

yea xanex what ever way its spelt
was useless had some cenile old gp she put me on them for anxiety didnt help at all just ended up in having withdrawls for a month trying to get of the things :mad: then the gp died !

LegacyUser

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Check out pyrrole disorder

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Helper 95% of my chronic anxiety/depression.
And deals with root cause not symptom.
Just read.

LegacyUser

'just to inform everyone. went to a new doctor today. she was very understanding and i told her all the roads i had been down. she prescribed me with lexapro. hope it will work in conjucntion with the counselling. anyone used this medication before and if so has it helped?'

LegacyUser

Hey siglodiablito,

Just a post to see how your getting on with Lexapro.

I'm aware that these things can take weeks before there's any noticeable effect, but I'm just curious to know how your getting on.

Good I hope!

LegacyUser

hey really appreciate you asking to see how i am doing. I have been on the meds for just over 2 weeks now. i have noticed that the stomach nerves are gone but the wierd thing is its like the meds just put a wall up. you still know they are there but the egde is taken off. i havnt had a panic attack since taking them. i hope full effects will start to come out by week 4. ill keep you informed.

LegacyUser

That's good news, sounds like they've started to do their thing. I'm Glad to hear the panic attacks have stopped anyway.

Thought I'd just let you know that your original post inspired me to go to my GP to seek some help.

I've been suffering from General Anxiety Disorder for years, but wasn't really sure what it was. My doctor prescribed me Lexapro too, I've only been on it for a week but have already noticed a slight difference (it may be a placebo effect, who knows?) like yourself, it definitely seems to have taken the edge off the anxiety.

Anyway please keep me posted on your progress,

best of luck!