Anxiety meds vs. Anti depressants?

[turmaline]

Is there a difference?

I have a friend who takes a pill only when she is having serious anxiety.

I was on anti depressants which didn't get rid of my anxiety, they just kind of turned me into an unemotional person except when i drank on them, then I was just a crazy crazed person.

When I had to quit taking them I was like a drooling zombie physically and mentally blahhh.

I didn't abuse them I took them as prescribed.

I'm just wondering if I should ask my doc. for some anxiety meds. only because everyday I wakeup I feel crazy/mind racing a mile a minute...I have a huge knot in my stomach and I just want to feel normal for once?

Do they help?


or should I just deal with it....anxiety is a part of life?

[my_scatterheart]

Are they different? Yes.
A lot of anxiety diagnosis' though, need to be followed up with some kind of professional help. It'd be better in the long run to get rid of the anxiety than just treat the symptoms of it, dontcha think? Plus, like you said in your friends case, ideally, people should only really be taking anti-anxiety medications at junctures of serious anxiety, not every day. I don't think it'd help the turmy to be taking an anti-anxiety pill every morning since you said you don't like bein zombified, cuz its a distinct possibility.

[turmaline]

I believe you are right.

[Mafoo]

anti anxiety meds are prescribed for alot of different things ranging from panic, to general anxiety (which sounds like what you are describing, turmaline), even for insomnia.

for cases of anxiety that are suffering each day, they should prescribe a low dosage (obviously this depends on the degree/ severity of the anxiety) for an extended period of time. not just take a pill when you feel edgey. the idea is that taking a low dose regularly allows your body to find a chemical balance while taking the medicine, but keeps you from feeling medicated. youre supposed to feel normal.

i think scatter is right though, its better to treat the root of the problem than to cover the symptoms with habit forming medications

[SageTree]

Xanax is a med that enters the blood stream instantly when taken. My wife used to have them for panic attacks. And I used to take anti depressants for a few months. Ultimately, the reason we stopped taking them individually is that we worked through the issues that bothered us.

Meds are only effective about 33% of the time as well as Counseling. However when combined the results double in effectiveness. What I'm saying is nothing is all good and bad. You could genuinely have a condition in which you need A pill of sorts, but perhaps not the one you are taking now. Talking to your doctor is a good idea. You went to them for help so if you want to change the regiment they gave you, it's a good idea to talk with them, and maybe ask about referrals to talk with someone about a few things.

But firstly remember, you are having a lot of transition right now from the sounds of it, more than usual anyways I feel its safe to say. People have 5 factors of stability, and most people can deal with one, and handle two, but three or more is really serious. Relationships, jobs, housing, death (real and metaphorical) ,health. How many of those could you accept as in flux right now?

Have compassion for yourself. Life is hard and always changing in ways. Try taking a moment to stop and rest your head, if you can. Unfocus or close your eyes, and just feel your chest move up and down as you breath. You are here, right now. Picture a small hurt/confused child. How does that makes you feel? What do you want to do for it? You are that child now, so to speak. Practice that love and compassion for yourself. And know there you stand, able and ready. You've made it very far now, I'm sure you'll make it further yet.



In loving kindness,
SageTree

[turmaline]

I think I'm having anxiety attacks when I try to sleep.

My chest tightens to the point where I can't breath and I wake up kind of scared and gasping.

Because I can't breath.

I heard you have them when you are most relaxed..I guess if I keep the phone close.

haha I know the route of the problem.

I just wish the problem would go away haha.

[Mafoo]

maybe you have sleep apnea?

its when you essentially stop breathing for long periods of time while sleeping. i get mild sleep apnea when i drink and or do downers. i usually wake up gasping and feeling alot of pressure in my head and neck area

[turmaline]

lol this when I'm normal.

not drinking.

thanks guys...I appreciate your advice alot.

it could be sleep apnea.

[Mafoo]

to clarify, sleep apnea is not only when youve had drinks, it can definitely be worsened, though, by aclohol.

[turmaline]

thanks sage...laughter yoga!


http://www.cbc.ca/clips/mov/roussy-happiness081204.mov

this is the therapy I need.

laughter/happy times

[SageTree]

Awesome! x10000

[hijabihippie]

There are laughing clubs in India-same premise!
"Laughter is the best medicine" may yet turn out to
be literally true.

[Mydriasis]

Stay away from benzo's especially if your already a problem drinker(their addictive as fuck and if your depressed a whole bottle of pills sounds real nice). Maybe Buspar might help.

But honestly, introspection and psychedelic drugs are the only things that work for me.

Panic attacks are common before bed. Cuz thats when you are the most undistracted and have to face the demons that are in life.

I feel for yea turm, wish I could help.

Oh yea and most counselors suck ass. Actually all of them do. Cuz in their eyes your just a way to kill an hour until lunch or the next pay-check. They don't really care about how you turn out, and would rather have you see them more then treat a problem. At least that's how it is in the US.

[my_scatterheart]

Have you met every professional in the field?

[kaytizzle]

Xanax is a med that enters the blood stream instantly when taken. My wife used to have them for panic attacks. And I used to take anti depressants for a few months. Ultimately, the reason we stopped taking them individually is that we worked through the issues that bothered us.

Meds are only effective about 33% of the time as well as Counseling. However when combined the results double in effectiveness. What I'm saying is nothing is all good and bad. You could genuinely have a condition in which you need A pill of sorts, but perhaps not the one you are taking now. Talking to your doctor is a good idea. You went to them for help so if you want to change the regiment they gave you, it's a good idea to talk with them, and maybe ask about referrals to talk with someone about a few things.

But firstly remember, you are having a lot of transition right now from the sounds of it, more than usual anyways I feel its safe to say. People have 5 factors of stability, and most people can deal with one, and handle two, but three or more is really serious. Relationships, jobs, housing, death (real and metaphorical) ,health. How many of those could you accept as in flux right now?

Have compassion for yourself. Life is hard and always changing in ways. Try taking a moment to stop and rest your head, if you can. Unfocus or close your eyes, and just feel your chest move up and down as you breath. You are here, right now. Picture a small hurt/confused child. How does that makes you feel? What do you want to do for it? You are that child now, so to speak. Practice that love and compassion for yourself. And know there you stand, able and ready. You've made it very far now, I'm sure you'll make it further yet.



In loving kindness,
SageTree

very well said.

everything takes time. but if the medication is not working for you or makes your symptoms worse or just straight up is wack, then your doc needs to know. i was in a horrible car accident in may and with the help of anti anxiety and depression meds in conjunction with counseling and massage therapy i am almost back to where i was before the accident. im off the anti depression meds and have cut back my dosage of the anxiety meds and uped the massage... you need to look into that massage therapy sister, it has worked wonders for me and my anxiety especially. good luck just keep trying.

[kaytizzle]

Stay away from benzo's especially if your already a problem drinker(their addictive as fuck and if your depressed a whole bottle of pills sounds real nice). Maybe Buspar might help.

btw, buspar is the one im on. the side effects have been slim to none (for me), its non-addictive and used for short-term so im not worried about having to depend on it for a long period of time. i hate taking meds they freak me out.

[NickNasty]

Meds are only effective about 33% of the time as well as Counseling. However when combined the results double in effectiveness. What I'm saying is nothing is all good and bad. You could genuinely have a condition in which you need A pill of sorts, but perhaps not the one you are taking now. Talking to your doctor is a good idea. You went to them for help so if you want to change the regiment they gave you, it's a good idea to talk with them, and maybe ask about referrals to talk with someone about a few things.

What he said. I've been (and am on both an anti-anxiety med and an anti-depressant right now--though both for anxiety--along with regular counseling and meditation and yoga, I've come to a good place. Just recognize that not everything works for anyone and very often a combination of things is going to be needed to get you where you want to be-and also remember no amount of pills or therapy will help you unless you believe you deserve to feel good about the wonderful person you are.

[herbinator45]

i was prescribed prozac for what my doctor thought was mild-depression, but turned out to be accute anxiety disorder.. then i got perscribed a different dosage, but still prozac [apo-fluoxetine]. then when i was 17 i was able to get my GP to get me a compassion card and i was able to get about a quad every 4 days.

[farmergiles]

Don't take scrip drugs unless you really have to, see a good specialist and triple check the dose.

Friends and family have been harmed by scrip meds.

[Mydriasis]

Have you met every professional in the field?

Nope but I've had 4 "counselors", 5 psychologists and 5 psychiatrists(not including family counselors). In two states and in different cities in NE USA. So I have a pretty good feel for things believe it or not.

I've been on:
Ambien, buspar(aforementione d), Effexor, Wellbutrin, IC Fluexatine(generic prozac), buspar, Xanax, Clonazepam, Seroquel, Zoloft, Resperdal, etc.

The best counselor/psychologist/psychiatrist I have found was myself, and my connection with nature.

The coolest psychologist I have met was a professor of mine, but I'd never trust him to diagnose or treat me.

Truth is people don't know shit about the human mind. That's why psychiatry is mostly theory, and the rest in general is politics.

Different strokes for different folks I guess, just sharing my experience with mental illness.