Naive Posted July 18, 2005 Share Posted July 18, 2005 I went to my therapy session on Saturday and we talked about medication for my anxiety disorder. I don't know if this is an option for me because I have heard too many bad things about it. I have heard on many occasions that those meds are real addictive and that is what scares me the most What do you think? I am going to see the Psychiatrist next week so that we can talk over options but I want to know if someone can tell me something from personal experience. Thanks. Link to post Share on other sites
alphamale Posted July 18, 2005 Share Posted July 18, 2005 these drugs usually solve more problems than they create. Link to post Share on other sites
RoxStar Posted July 18, 2005 Share Posted July 18, 2005 It depends on what they give you and it depends on if you take it properly or if you abuse it. I think they can be helpful though so do your research and decide if it would be good for you. Good luck! Link to post Share on other sites
Rosalind Posted July 18, 2005 Share Posted July 18, 2005 The anti-anxiety, prescription med Clonazepam can accomplish in a week what years of CBT does. Link to post Share on other sites
whichwayisup Posted July 18, 2005 Share Posted July 18, 2005 If you can go without drugs, do it. Maybe look into natural remedies. I hear that works well and there are NO side affects or withdrawal symptoms. Unless your T thinks you need to be on meds, don't do it. That's just my thoughts, I'm sure others feel drugs and therapy work better...Depends on how severe your anxiety is and if there is any depression in the mix. I know that if my anxiety got worse and the CBT (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy) wasn't working as well as it has and is, then I guess I'd consider meds. With CBT, what you put into it is what you get out of it. It's alot of hard work, pushing yourself past your comfort level, making your thoughts to be positive only and take control of your mind, changing thought patterns. IT is so worth it! Wish you ALL the best and definately get intouch with me anytime! (You know that already though...) Lots of hugs! Link to post Share on other sites
Author Naive Posted July 18, 2005 Author Share Posted July 18, 2005 My therapist told me that Psychiatris would go through many things to find the right med for me but I guess it's just a scary thought to be hooked to anything. I don't do drugs and I don't normally drink because I don't want to get addicted to those things and now this. I have avoided drugs all my life and to all of a sudden have to take something that might be addictive is scary BUT I don't want to live like this forever either. What about if I want to get off the medicine, will I go completely nutso??? Link to post Share on other sites
whichwayisup Posted July 18, 2005 Share Posted July 18, 2005 I meant drugs as in drug therapy not like pot etc. Pot and drinking only enhances your anxiety and you don't need that! Don't do anything you're not comfy with, so if you reallly don't want to go on meds then don't unless she says you really do need it. Link to post Share on other sites
alphamale Posted July 18, 2005 Share Posted July 18, 2005 Originally posted by ~Naive~ My therapist told me that Psychiatris would go through many things to find the right med for me but I guess it's just a scary thought to be hooked to anything. The most impt factor is getting a good shrink that is up to date on latest drugs and therapies and who works with you. They are the experts in this field and know much more than you or me cause they see this stuff everyday. If you are not happy with your shrink then don't hesistate to tell him or her or to find someone else. The drugs that have come out over the past 10 yrs are much more refined and reliable with fewer side effects. Link to post Share on other sites
Author Naive Posted July 18, 2005 Author Share Posted July 18, 2005 Originally posted by whichwayisup I meant drugs as in drug therapy not like pot etc. Pot and drinking only enhances your anxiety and you don't need that! Oh no, I know that!!!! I just used it as example so that you can see what I compare anxiety and depression medicine to. Don't think I am going to go out and smoke a big one Link to post Share on other sites
markraine Posted July 19, 2005 Share Posted July 19, 2005 I don't recommend drug treatment if you can avoid it. Working in a pharmacy I am disheartened to see so many people that come in and have over the course of time become absolutely dependent on the drugs they are taking. I was prescribed Paxil in high-school for a general anxiety disorder, I used it for awhile, decided it wasn't for me. I found similar benefits in herbal therapy, taking St. John's Wort and Kava Kava which helped relax me, in the end I found the best way to deal with my anxiety disorder was doing things I was comfortable with, pursuing goals and over time it really took care of itself. I believe seeing a therapist and trying natural methods to get through it is the best way, although they are highly useful in severe cases just to get you down to a moderate level where therapy can be more useful, I do not recommend it as a long term therapy though, anything that affects brain chemistry over long periods of time is not a good thing, so, if you really feel you need it, then by all means, but never become dependent on it, as all anti-anxiety drugs do is treat the symptoms and not the underlying problem. Its like the people who take accutane for acne, they are treating the symptoms and not the underlying condition that causes the acne. It takes more effort to take care of the original problem behind the symptoms, most people want a miracle pill to cure everything and that is not the way it works, use the pills as temporary measures, until you get a permanent solution, don't become like the many drug-dependent people in America and the world today that feel they can only live as long as they have their pills, that is rarely the case and it is sad to see people give up on other options so quickly and automatically turn to pills as a permanent treatment, they weren't meant for that, and never should be used for that. However there are too many irresponsible physicians nowadays that will give a patient pills just to get them out of their office ASAP. Its wrong, but thats what happens when the pharmaceutical companies provide a majority of the funding for medical schools all across this land. Good Luck, I wish you the best with this, hopefully you find a good solution to your problem, remember, pills are only part of it, the permanent part you need to discover on your own Link to post Share on other sites
Tony Posted July 19, 2005 Senior Moderators Share Posted July 19, 2005 This is NOT the place to get medical advice. Nobody here is a licensed physician and legally able to render any sort of medical opinion. As a fact, different medicines work differently on different people. Your doctor will be the best person to discuss all options and help you to adjust dosages that are right for you. Because the dispensation of medical advice by non-licensed persons on an Internet forum is a dangerous thing to do, I am closing this thread. However, I will leave up what's already there but I urge you to consider that those who answered you have no medical background but may have their own personal experiences or may have heard of the experiences of others. Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts