What are people's experiences with the different SSRIs? Just wondering which you found effective - if any. I get the impression doctors like to prescribe these first before moving onto other types if all SSRIs prove ineffective. Thoughts?
These aniti depressants were never helpful to me with my anxiety. It seems like doctors like to prescribe them as they are not as addictive as benzos are. I just felt they never helped me though. Even a pharmisist said he did not know why doctors prescribe them so much for anxiety.
For me the most of them made me worse!
Terrible, terrible drugs and hopeless for anxiety. Dreadful withdrawals.
What did you find helpful instead?
Do you think SNRIs are more effective? What do you think the alternative is?
i am not pro or con about ssri's or snri's; i can only say what has helped me over the course of my life;i think the first thing i was on was amitripitiline (spelling); then zoloft; that helped me get through college; now cymbalta; they help me with anxiety and depression very well; everyone is different; cognitive behavioral and biofeedback therapy are all very good and have great benefits; studies have shown, i have heard, the way one thinks can change chemicals in our brains, so the more positive...but the drugs have helped me get through some mulitple horrible events in my life; wish you the best and don't be hesistant to ask your doctor any questions
I have pretty much been on them all, old ones and new ones. The only one I could tolerate myself personally was Celexa. Others increased my anxiety. My own opinion is probably not the one that is favoured now a days. I was put on a sedating med after a difficult divorce 25 years ago and I am still on it today despite many attempts to taper off of it. Rather than beat myself up about it I still take it as I find it is helpful even now. If something came along that was better to take and I could replace it with that I would.
Hi Jane,
I have tried a few SSRis over the years with very little success. The main problem for me is that i suffer insomnia as a result of my anxiety and there simply isn't an SSRI that is sedating enough to help with this. They may be helpful for people who are depressed and sleeping too much but for someone like me with high levels of anxiety and insomnia they are hopeless.
I have been on the tricyclic anti depressant dosulepin for year now and it works for me. it is sedating and it helps put a fog on things. i am also on diazepam and lorazepam which help a great deal too.
take care,
lisa
I have had experience with alot of SSRI and SSNR and others. it depends on the focus of your anxiety. I have anxiety witj low mood so ssri were orginally prescribed by my go but zero effective. mirtazapine is good for sleeping so regularly prescribed and both sertaline and venlaflaxine too. but its the grass roots of the anxiety that should lead the treatment choice. just because someone is anxious doesnt mean they are depressed. therapy is defiantly the way to go to understand and gain insight into the issues rather than jumping on the antidepressants band wagon. always ask to explore the options and dont accept everything a psychiatrist says to be right for you x
I read it somewhere the only way to cure this is Hypnosis... Because this Anxiety and Phobia is something which is in our unconscious Mind. Till the time that Mind is cleared every medication, Excercise and Breath technique is worth less. I am planning to visit a good Hypnotist and I am searching for it.....
I believe you can have a thought on that.. there is no point in taking medication and damaging our body further as forcing body for sending specific chemical is not good in longer run...and also be regularly exercise and do breathing techniques(pranayam)..I am sure you will get over it...
I wish you all the best..