Starting SSRI pre-emptively in summer before uni

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I suffer with occasional panic attacks related to performance anxiety, presentations, talking on teams, doing things in front of classmates at university.

generally, i am happy, content and anxiety free but i do have little bouts of anxiety or panics attacks. After missing a presentation exam last semester i saw my GP and they recommended an SSRI or beta blocker.

its the summer and i am about to start taking sertraline so that it has time to build up before the new school year. i have absolutely no anxiety symptoms or panic attacks at the moment. Should i start taking them now or not?

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  • Edited

    that’s a difficult question to answer. you could start them just to get an idea of how you feel on them before you go to school. Then if you’re having some Side effects, you can discuss it with your doctor., And decide at that point whether you want to be on them during the school year. It does take around six weeks for your body to get used to the med, and to feel like it’s making a difference or not. For some people it’s sooner than that. but the decision is ultimately up to you. Either way you’ll figure out what’s best for you. take care

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