What do people feel are the best medication options?
Hey, what are you struggling with? Have you been diagnosed with anything or are you just feeling terrible? If you havent seen anyone yet i would make an appointment with your gp and explain how you have been feeling. I am on sertraline for OCD anxiety and depression, and although havent seen much effect yet i am hoping i will soon. I also go to therapy and am waiting my CBT and psychiatrist appointments to come through. I hope you feel better soon!! Keep in touch and good luck xx
Hi it's a constant battle with anxiety. I have booked an appointment so will hopefully get some help
Joanne, I was in hospital once with anxiety and depression after I split up with my partner. I found long hot baths and playing my tin whistle helped. The tin whistle gave me something to concentrate on like meditation, a bit. also it helped control my breathing. i am not a musical person, but anyone can play a whistle. Or perhaps you can already play an instrument. if so keep playing.As for pills, i took diazepam many many years ago, but these things are so addictive, i ended up feeling worse. So i try to stick to natural things altho i suppose am lucky I have managed with that. I use herbal teas, and Kalms, no caffeine, very little alcohol, Like I said so far I have managed, but some people DO need medication. I dont know which are best, but better to take something if you need it than suffer. I feel so sorry for anyone who is that bad. If you can afford it, counselling can be so helpful. I wish you well.
Joanne, me again! I am very stressed at the minute, lots of reasons. My partner gives me massage every day, its really good, Someone times my feet, or hands,or back. All good. and we play relaxing music while he does it.
There is no magic pill. All pills have an upside and a downside (like everything else in life!) I have taken Venlafaxine for many years and it has mostly worked for me. It seems effective at stopping panic attacks. The downside is I know it will be difficult coming off them. Come off very, very, very slowly. I have also taken propranalol when feelings become extreme which works very well at stopping the palpitations. I only use these occassionally. I also use Zopiclone at a low dose to get to sleep during rough patches but only occassionally. I have tried Prozac in the past and began feeling suicidal so got off it . All of our biochemistries are slightly different so what works for you may not work for me and it's worth bearing in mind that most anti-depressants take at least six weeks before they start having an effect. The only herbal remedys that I have found works (or at least seems to help) id Celestial Seasonings herbal tea called 'Tension Tamer', a mix of 11 herbs that calm down anxiety. Find a doctor you trust and go with their advice, but do ask about side-effects so you make an informed decision (venlafaxine has killed my sex drive). The other thing is that according to many anxiety specialists the answer is to move TOWARD the fear (it can't hurt you) rather than AVOIDING it! Try to make yourself more anxious. Nothing happens. The anxiety system in your body is not in your control. It does it's own thing. As you cannot affect it, try to accept the feelings for the moment, knowing that this is a temporary blip and will pass. I have found that accepting the sensations in my body and ignoring the anxious babble of thoughts does work. The anxiety fades away. It is maintained by your constant attention to it. Put your attention somewhere else as much as you are able to and learn to tolerate the uncomfortable feelings in your body for the moment. Stick to this as much as possible, don't beat yourself up if you don't manage it sometimes, and the anxiety will slowly disappear. Best of luck and a big hug! Be kind to yourself while going through this. It is not your fault that it is happening, it is not a mental health problem, you are not going mad and it can do you no harm.
Athol91131, thank you for your post. It is so kind of you to write such a thoughtful response. I find it helpful. I hope Joanne does too.
Thank you very much for your reply. I think like you say you have to go with the fear and get through it that way. I've been on medication in the past and it just zoned me out and also on sleeping tablets which I think I got addicted to.
If you have any disease or you are not feeling well it is best adviced that you first take some medical advice from an expert doctor get yourself diagonsed this will help you find answer to most of your problems.