i've been dealing with GAD and panic disorder for the past 6 months, i couldn't even tell you how it started happening. i just broke down one day and that's when i had my first panic attack. for a week i stayed in my bed, i barely ate and i was afraid to do anything. i went to my primary care doctor and she gave me lexapro and xanax. i tried the lexapro for a couple days but hated it. it gave me the worst panic attacks i've ever experienced. i stuck to just using the xanax when i needed it, whether it was one at night, or one every other night. i was on .25. i thought i would get better on my own but clearly that was not the case. 6 months later, i am now seeing a psychiatrist. she told me that after talking to me, she doesn't find it necessary for me to be on an antidepressant, she said i could try it but it's optional. she gave me a prescription for klonopin, instead of xanax. she said if i choose not to do the anti depressant, i can just take the klonopin as needed/when i need to and stick with talk therapy with a psychologist. i told her i wanted to try the anti depressant and i did (it was zoloft) and the same thing happened with lexapro. i don't like the anxiety i get when starting an antidepressant, i'd rather just try and get through this without the use of anti depressants. my question is, is it possible? if i start seeing a psychologist weekly, and take the klonopin if i need to, can i learn to live with this? if you have learned to deal with your anxiety and panic, without medication please tell me your story!
Hi mern182
I think you're definitely doing the right thing not taking anti depressants, especially if you reacted like that. I've been on two ssris and had a terrible time in both of them. I didn't get off either of them quick enough so I'm just beginning my recovery from them now!
I'd be careful with the benzo..try not to take it too often and keep your doses low if you can.
I had anxiety and gad a few years ago and I got through it without antidepressants or benzos. The only thing I took was propranolol. I don't know if you're doctor suggested this.
Take care and I hope this helps.
i never ever take medication - for some they do work, and thats great, but for me- no never. many therapists will discourage meds, some wont - it all just depends. but its all what YOU want to do, not ever the therapists or doctors. general docs tend to push meds like sweets sometimes, so its just finding what your comfortable with. talk therapy can be very beneficial, it can take some time - but its a good place to start. i manage my symptoms to a degree - in so much as i still function, but it is excrutiatingly difficult at times - currently i am in the middle of severe health anxiety. meds probably could help - but for me the thought just makes me panic worse, so theres pros and cons of each. id rather never deal with the side effects of meds
Hi Mern, iv had anxiety and panic attacks for 18 yrs now, iv never taken medication. I think iv just kinda accepted it, I have really good times and really bad, recently its been really bad but improving over the last few days, I think everyone is different medication was never gonna be an option for me, everyone finds their own way. good luck x