Good Medication for Anxiety (1 Viewer)

[|Fever| Sixxed17]

I've been on the same med (Buspar/buspirone) for a little over a year. It has not helped and, in some cases, done the opposite of what it is supposed to do. I need recommendations. My previous psychiatrist was more of "pile up the meds and see which ones work and remove the rest" kinda gal. Needless to say, I don't go there anymore. I felt the CBT helped some, but when the medication quit working, so did the CBT.

 

[|Fever| Sithis]

A nice indica might do the trick

 

[Purplemonkey]

There are some studies that indicate that CBD may be helpful, but from my understanding it should be tried without the use of other meds (to rule out any possible interactions). I would probably stay away from the actual plant as some of the other psychoactive compounds have been shown to increase anxiety.

CBT works well but it is a lot of work and some new studies indicate that other forms of therapy may be equally as effective. I want to explore DBT, and quite surprisingly to me, Gestalt therapy.

[The above is my opinion and not medical advice. For reference, I am a Therapist in training]

 

[|Fever| Dismayven]

I am not a medical expert but smoking marijuana helps with my anxiety more than any prescription. IDK how you feel about using marijuana, just sharing what works for me.

 

[|Fever| Damien]

A nice indica might do the trick

I am not a medical expert but smoking marijuana helps with my anxiety more than any prescription. IDK how you feel about using marijuana, just sharing what works for me.

^^

 

[|Fever| Bob_o]

[MENTION=74545]Sixxed17[/MENTION] sorry your having issues with your medication not working. I have been on prozac and various different types stuff for depression and anxiety. I had been going to a psychiatrist for a long while and it helped but never enough. Main reason I was going was for PTSD but the depression was crippling. The drugs helped but after a while it started to taper off to me. I got up to the maximum safe does of Prozac but I was still struggling.

Honestly from a 37 year old guy that's had depression issue for a long time. I have found the one thing that truly helps me is marijuana. I was one of those guys who didn't like the idea of using as an adult. I had when I as a younger man but now I was resistant to the idea. I had a family now I wasn't sure it was something I wanted to start with them around. I eventually tried it and man what a difference. Now I come home and smoke just one bowl and it changes my mood in minutes and I am much happy for the rest of the day. I don't use it much more than that really. It's been a life saver. Luckily I live in a state where it's legal.

I would never have thought I would be an advocate for the marijuana but here I am. I wish you the best of luck

 

[|Fever| Linessah]

In terms of non-marijuana options...

There aren't many options that aren't riddled with side effects. A lot of antidepressants and antixiolytics have extensive effects. Most notably from antidepressants: the weight gain, fatigue, mood swings, potential for suicidal thoughts, personality changes, reduced sex drive/reduced sexual function are some of the really yucky ones out there. From the antixiolytic families include drowsiness, memory problems, dizziness, low blood pressure are some of the hallmark side effects. However, with a *LOT* of trial-and-error (or little, if you're that lucky), you can find something where the benefits outweigh the side effects, if you get them at all.

I find the largest problem with medications is that doctors add too much, too soon... so when the side effects come roaring, they don't know which one is causing the problem, and just add another medicine to counteract it because they are so hell-bent on fixing the original problem.

When I was with my abusive ex, this happened to me. I was going through horrendous panic attacks and bouts of major depression... the doctor ramped me up too fast and induced a condition called serotinin syndrome. CBT had little effect. The stressors and triggers for anxiety were too large to really be encompassed by CBT.

Even after leaving, the thought of being around him to exchange our daughter has been enough to trigger them, even to this day after a year of being away from him.

Prior to this, I had some anxiety issues when I was going through med school, and klonopin was the only thing that significantly helped. It came with the caveat of making me sleepy and seeming a little "flat" in personality.

Overall, medications haven't been useful for me that either don't make me ill, or leave me so zombified I can't fully function in society. So for now I cope (because medical marijuana isn't available here, or even legalized for recreational use). I have to rely solely on distraction if I do not have to be focused on my daughter. It's when she isn't around and I have to divert my full attention to her that I really have issues. I've debated starting the conversation to get help from a doctor, but I fear going back down that slippery slope. I don't want to be "flat" around my daughter, where she is learning important social behaviors from her (sole) parent - nor be so sleepy in the night that I can't wake up and function if she wakes in the night.

I wish you the best of luck!

 

[FluffMcDuff]

For me, Xanax, Ativan, and Valium work the best. However doctors don't like to prescribe them because they are addictive so your mileage may vary.

 

[|Fever| BruC0Ndr]

What did you do before using medication to work towards helping you get off anxiety? [MENTION=74545]Sixxed17[/MENTION]

Not a doctor, but medication is not always the awnser for stuff like this, but I don't know your history so.

 

[|Fever| Sixxed17]

I did therapy for about 2 years. Mixed results. CBT was used but was not effective long-term. Went to a different therapist/psych. Much better results now, but I'm hoping it will be effective long-term.