Scared to take medication for anxiety

Yes this is what I've been reading. Is that these medications to treat anxiety have a tendency to make it worse or even cause suicidal thoughts?? I just don't understand and it overwhelms me. But I do know people who have gone on ciprolex and say their racing thoughts have gone from a 12 to a 6 and in return have allowed them to be most successful in therapy. 

The side effects truly scare me as my body is fragile in that sense... I'm frustrated. I just want to experience what life is supposed to feel like. Because I know this isn't it. This is not the life I am supposed to lead and it is killing me so profoundly. I am only 22 but wow has it done a number on me already. 

Thank you so much for your input. I didn't realize people replied so fast and I already feel the immense support and care. Thank you so much for taking the time to respond. 

Hey Christine,

It took me a long time to settle too. It takes about 4 -6 weeks to kick in they say ..

I was on Mirtazapine for 7 years and went onto Escitalopram without any tapering so I guessed that was why.. withdrawals from one before the other took over..I was on Mirt because it was the gentlest for my stomach too.. didn't have a problem on Mirt but it wasn't working anymore so swapped..

I hope you settle quickly,

Gina

Aww Hun it's hard isn't it my stomach is hurting lots today but that could be anxiety - I loved cit once it started working. I've only taken 5mg and think I may see how I go from there. Anxiety is hell and it's so unfair that we have to suffer but hopefully everything will be calmer soon  

Guys this is what scares me. Being reliant. Spending the money on the industry ( sorry to be so rebellious) I just want to believe there is another way. But I don't think i can spend the time finding it when my quality of life is detiorating..... so simplify this for me here. What overall has been the "one" that has worked in the most functional way where you are still... you? Is that a tough question to ask?  And when I go to my doctor, which I've had discouraging experiences with, where I've just been given a checklist for depression and thrown medication? How can i trust to take something when the person prescribing it doesn't genuinely care?  So sorry for all the questions, I've just never been able to let this all out 

If your looking at another method, look at 5HT on amazon, combined with CBT. 

I appreciate dependency etc but what harm is one tablet? There is no one size fits all, mirtazapine for me was horrendous but as the other poster said she did 7 years on it no problem. 

Some people do a 6 month course tapper off and never look back, for me I'm scared not to take the tablets so willing to do it. (I'm in uk too).  

Only you can decide what to do, for me so far escitalopram has had the least manageable side effects. 

Hope that helps 

I have the same reservations.. I hate relying on the medical profession.. I hate the fact that they have control over what you take and when too.. I stay away from hospitals as much as I can.. I'm not sure if it's because my whole family were involved in the hospital system in some way when I was growing up so I heard heaps.. but I won't go near it..I first went on Aropax and found that really good but it's pretty rough on your stomach so had to change...i've tried a few but found Mirtazapine good except I put on a lot of weight with it so am now on Escitalapam.. this one feels totally different.. I do find it hard to think and from someone who used to do 5 jobs at once, I now have to do one at a time... Its been really good for my fears, claustrophobia, worrying, social anxiety...I did have a panic attack the other day in the car wash but I can get over it faster...next time I'll get out..lol.. I don't find Doctors care much about the different needs of people, just try this, try that.. I think if you don't suffer from a mental illness, you don't understand it..I guess Doctors can't get emotionally involved either..I have felt like me with less stress and anxiety on most of the ADs I've been on.. not so much on this one but I'm hanging in there. I seem to be sensitive to most of them..

All I can suggest is that you take control of what you want to do and how you do it..

Perhaps, look at it as a short term fix while you sort out/research another way..

Yes thank you you're right. All I can do is try and see what fits. I just want to experience the world possible outside of this... thank you all for your input . I'm glad I reached out. 

Christine.. I think you will find Escitalopram fantastic for OCD and claustrophobia.. I suffer terribly from both plus I can't stand anything to do with my mouth...feel like I can't swallow and am choking...dentist etc is a nightmare.. can't even watch a low ceiling on tv without panic.. I had to bury my Mum in Jan and I had nightmares about being buried when I die.. it was getting worse..the change over in ADs have been terrible but I do have to admit, most of the fears have now become managable.. I did have a panic attack in the car wash the other day but I hadn't been in one for years so didn't even think til after it started.. I had the door open trying to get out when the spray arm came back and nearly took the door off..lol.. my partner hauled me back in just in time.. he held my hand and I had to look at Facebook to try and keep it under control..we can laugh about it now...so fingers crossed , it helps you too...I'm pretty sure it will though...it seems to be totally different than any of the others I've had..

Yes on all points. It's hard to trust people that don't know or understand. I guess it comes down to trial and error. I feel I have such a fear of going crazy that that is where it all stems from. The collective experiences of life that you have engrained such a thought pattern in your brain that you so strongly believe. I just want to break the pattern. Once and for all fall In love with my self. Trust myself. I think if medication can clear some of those dark unnecessary thoughts out or even just manage them. The work can be easier to put in to change my perception. I don't know I'm rambling. These forums are an amazing outlet I'll tell you that. 

I know where you're come from with claustrophobia. I sometimes feel I have ADHD when it comes to little things that can easily set me off. Was there a time in your life when the claustrophobia was created? Sorry if that is a deep question. I just always wonder why we are the way we are. Where did these fears come from

Not at all Reg.

I think I've had it all my life.. I hate not having control of where I am.. hated being touched in a swimming pool incase they pushed me under and Mum could never get a singlet off over my head with out me going into a mad panic.. I was ok in my 20-30's but got worse again after that.. someone told me it was the way I was born.. I was born breach with one leg up around my head so it couldn't have been an easy birth and Mum had me at home... I don't know.. I think we have more empathy than most people and this doesn't help...I can feel people's emotions most times...I also wonder, and I guess this is contentious but whether we are Old souls and so carry a lot of emotional baggage from the past? I guess we'll never know lol.. it just makes sense to me...I also feel like I know a lot more than i've ever learnt in this lifetime.

Gina, 

You hit the nail right on the head and it just goes to show how this burden can also be a blessing. I too have been consistently told I am an old soul.. I almost feel though now that it's something I need to live up to. Like I need to have all the answers and all the wisdom for people much older than I am. Why is it that the ones with anxiety feel the world so deeply? We contemplate, observe and reflect on every aspect of life. Our minds are on max speed, taking in every detail without control over it. And that empathy, oh how intense it can be. To the point where you need to leave a room and go to lay down alone because it gets too over stimulating and mentally exhausting. A blessing and a curse. We observe and understand on such a deep level that not everyone has even seen. It's a job we didn't sign up for. But would we want it any other way? 

Not to mention that swimming pool thing. Was me all the way we well. And as an adult, still grosses me out till this day. I will not go near a public pool. With proper footwear lol 

Without****

Oh I hope so Hun the panic attacks and anxiety is worse for me, do you find it gives you diarrhea? My poor stomach isn't good with these meds at all. I'm so hoping it helps it really does get to the point where you cannot take anymore hey 

Well I actually have never tried medication yet so I'm not sure how my body will react. But I can say that I have a sick feeling in my stomach, and a weight in my head from the moment I wake up to the moment I sleep. It's definitely the worst in the day time.. when reality just doesn't feel right if that makes sense. Just nothing ever feels right... does medication help with the feeling? The feeling of grounding of what is real and what is not and being about to tell the difference? Or is that more therapy work 

Hi Regmoti

We note from a recent post which you have made to our forum that you may be experiencing thoughts around self-harm. If we have misinterpreted your comments then we apologies for contacting you directly. But if you are having such thoughts then please note that you are not alone in this, and there are people out there that can help.

If you are having these suicidal thoughts then we strongly recommend you speak to someone who may be able to help. The Samaritans offer a safe space where you can talk openly about what you are going through. They can help you explore your options, understand your problems better, or just be there to listen.

Their contact details are on our patient information leaflet here: https://patient.info/health/dealing-with-suicidal-thoughts, which also offers lots of other advice on how you can access the help you may need.

If you are having such thoughts then please do reach out to the team at the Samaritans (or the other people detailed in our leaflet) who will understand what you're going through and will be able to help.

Kindest regards

Patient

Hi Christine,

I've actually gotmreally bad constipation.. I'm worried because I've been taking cloxal for this for months and your not supposed to use it regularly.. I know if I stop, I won't be able to go at all..Augh!