Anxiety medication stopped working

[pearlsasinger]

I've been on Lexapro now for 4 or 5 months and I think it's stopped working. I'm back to constant anxiety, worrying, feeling stressed all the time. It's effecting my work performance and it's been hard on my relationship with my boyfriend. He's been so good to me, and always tries to cheer me up, but I know it's really hard on him that I'm constantly worrying about something or in a bad mood.

 

I almost feel like giving up, I feel like I will never be back to my old self. Furthermore, I feel very selfish that I have so much to be thankful for, yet I can't seem to be happy. I already tried an increase in the dose for a month and found no significant results-- just increased side effects.

 

I don't know if I should:

 

1. Make a couple alterations and see how it goes. (Start back on vitamins regularly, cut out all caffeine). It's really hard to motivate myself to exercise at this point, but I do go 2 times a week to the gym.

 

2. Talk to my doc about switching to another med. Although it seems lexapro has the rep of being one of the best anxiety meds out there, so I worry there is nothing that will be better.

 

3.Try some cognitive behaviroal therapy. Do the tapes and books really help? I just ordered one called "Dancing with Fear" that looks pretty promising. I can't afford to meet with someone weekly.

[slubberdegullion]

Do all 3, but not in this order. See your doc first, get a referral to a good CBT practitioner (the tapes and books are fine, but they're an adjunct to one-on-one therapy, not a primary resource), and lose the caffeine. I don't know about the vitamins; from what I've read, they really don't do much if you're eating a decent diet.

 

Meds like this are infuriatingly erratic in how they work for different people. What may work for one may not work for another, and some work for a while, then not at all. I've known people personally who have had to go through all kinds of combinations and permutations of meds to get the right mix that works. So don't give up.

 

Good luck.

[pearlsasinger]

Thanks, slubber, I guess it's just going to be a trial and error process.

 

I would really like to get into CBT. I'm just afraid of how I will fit a weekly therapy session in with work....do I explain the situation to my boss? We are very small so everyone is bound to draw conclusions on why I leave each week for an hour. I'm afraid there would be that stigma. Do I just suck it up and go? Maybe I could make the appointment at the end of the day, or the beginning. (I don't think the therapists where I go really work past 5:30 or 6, or before 8.)

 

The worst for me right now is worrying about things of the past. It seems pointless, because I cannot change any of that stuff now. Yet I can't stop. It almost feels like I think I can solve something by worrying about it, but it doesn't solve anything. It only makes me feel worse.

[slubberdegullion]

Well, the first thing to do is get a referral from your doctor to a small handful of CBT practitioners. Once you've got the list, find out which one does after-hours appointments and then check them out.

 

You're right, of course, that there is a stigma attached to these sorts of issues. It's a damn shame, really, but changing the world is a long, laborious process.

 

Keep me posted. I have a wee bit of expertise in the matter, so PM if you'd prefer; I'm ok with that.

[whichwayisup]

3.Try some cognitive behaviroal therapy. Do the tapes and books really help? I just ordered one called "Dancing with Fear" that looks pretty promising. I can't afford to meet with someone weekly.

 

Definately DO this! I've been doing CBT for my anxiety disorder and it really does work. If you can't afford it right now, look into college/universities as they could have cheaper therapists, or depending where you live, some can be covered through insurance too.

 

Sam Obitz book, Been there, Done that, Try this, is a good book and also any Dr Burns books about anxiety and depression.

 

Cut out coffee, chocolate, and sugars. Drink alot of water. Start doing yoga and deep breathing exercises. Also, start a daily journal - pour all the thoughts, fears and anxieties that you feel down on paper (or computer) it will help you see things in a different light and release the built up feelings of anxiety.

 

TALK to your friends and family, don't isolate yourself! Join some online anxiety groups for more support, that really helped me alot afew years ago when I was at my worst. Just knowing I wasn't alone and others understood exactly how I felt and could offer up the right kind of advice made a HUGE difference.

 

Feel free to ask me anything, I'm an open book when it comes to the anxiety!

 

Hang in there and remember, you're not alone in this!

[pearlsasinger]

Thank you both for all of your suggestions and support. I will keep you posted.

 

I'm going to call and make an appointment with my psychatrist to ask him about a CBT referral. I've been putting it off a visit for a while because I'm afraid I'll go in and he'll just want to up my dosage right away again. I'm going to check out the university's services here too, but I'm not sure they offer services to non-students and non-employees.

 

Whichwayisup, how long did you have to do CBT before it started making a difference? How long does a person typically continue with it?

 

Sometimes I feel like the things I worry about are things that no one else I know would ever worry about. My boyfriend says I can overcome this if I really set my mind to it...I know he's half right, but the other half says, "No I can't! Don't you think I would've stopped this already if I could've!" He's supportive but sometimes it's so hard to explain to him what this feels like.

[whichwayisup]

I was s***ting myself the first time, completely scared and stuff, but I knew the hardest step was done - Getting in the door and asking for help... I felt very comfy with my T (therapist) right away! Took afew months before I really felt a big difference, though everybody else around me noticed it within the first few sessions. A confidence level maybe or a better energy all around.

 

I've been doing CBT for 2 years. Everybody is different and each T is different too. Some only do a certain amount of sessions, and do alot of harsh exposure therapy...It works for some, but I knew that wasn't for me. I like to do things my way and my own pace...She allows me to do just that. All I know is I am so much better. I do have some rough days, but I am not as scared of the anxiety anymore. i don't get those awful panic attacks that freak me out anymore. Once in a while I get a bad one but I rebound very fast.

 

You have alot of love and support around you, that's good! If your PM is working feel free to PM me anytime. I know some good websites that can help you alot too!

[pearlsasinger]

Thanks, it really helps to know there are people I can talk to who understand what I'm going through, and don't just write it off as something I can easily control.

 

I hope I can find a therapist who's a good fit as you have. I don't think my current therapist does CBT, maybe he's just on the drug side of therapy. I just go to him for a check up on how the meds are working every few months. I don't really feel like I can open up to him anyhow. Hopefully I can find someone I'm more comfortable around.

[whichwayisup]

I do not take any meds. My T doesn't think I need it, but I guess if she thought I would benefit from it I would consider it...I tell ya, because of my choice I feel stronger.

 

CBT is like this...What you put into it, is what you get out of it. The T can only DO so much for you...The rest is all up to you. It's not easy, there were many days when I wanted to quit and say f*** it! But I didn't ... Enjoy your good days, and when the bad days come, accept them just as that. A bad day...Nothing more, nothing less.