Hi IMs
I have recently been diagnosed with severe anxiety and panic attacks brought on by health issues. I have always been a pretty anxious person/worrier and have experienced lots of trauma as a child/teenager. Looking at getting EMDR therapy to help process the trauma, however at this point my psychologist said my anxiety needs to be more manageable to start it. I have been encouraged to use anti depressants, but everything I’ve read about them terrifies me- people having worse anxiety after them, side effects, no long term studies, withdrawals, never being able to get off them.
I have been given a script of Escitalopram (Lexapro) and just wondering if anyone has been able to use them for a period and get off them again? I have tried magnesium, complex vitamin B, mindfulness, meditation, grounding, Rescue Remedy and Herbal anti anxiety meds. Any experiences would be appreciated. Thank you
*Edit- the escitalopram made me really sick (constant vomiting and nausea and pins and needles in my hands) so GP told me to stop it and switch to Lovan (Prozac?) but I just want to get this out my system first. Anyone have any experiences with Lovan for anxiety and being able to come off it?
SCARED OF ANTI DEPRESSANTS FOR ANXIETY
SCARED OF ANTI DEPRESSANTS FOR ANXIETY
Posted in:
Mental Health, Anxiety & Depression, Self Care
7 Replies
I took anti depressants about 6 years ago for 2 years. I was able to come off of them very easily when the time was right.
I recently needed to start again but imagine I won’t be on them as long this time.
The bad stories you hear are very much in the minority. The vast majority do very very well and get much better.
For me medication allowed me to get the most out of cognitive therapies, and it’s only been after a terribly traumatic event last year that I’ve had to return to medication.
My son is on Lexapro and it's doing wonders for him, gone from not being able to check the mail box to being a normal teenager who can walk to his friends house and go into shop on his own. If your anxiety is debilitating you have nothing to lose by going on medication. Unsure if its hard to come off but it will be done under Drs direction and I'm sure they have things to help make it easier. Give it a go and get your life back.
This might not be recommended but as someone who also has anxiety I never read possible side effects of medication that I have to take. I trust my Dr and pharmacist and know they wouldn't give me something that isn't right. Pharmacist always goes over the common ones. Even if theres a one in a million chance of a side effect happening they have to write it down. Its like those safety things at the start of a flight.
As a sufferer of panic disorder for 30 years , and hospitalised multiple times , I can only say I'm so sorry For what u are going through. This disorder never ever goes away and I wish I could give u better advice. I'm in hospital again at the moment, forever sick from panic attacks to the point of having seizures. I'm sick of being sick . I hope you fair better than me . Sending u my love
I’m with you. Any good mental health Dr will tell you the truth that anti-depressants are only effective in 25%-30% of cases, have only proven effectiveness between 8-24 weeks and Better results are seen with connection therapies. Side effects and withdrawal effects can be debilitating for many. Consider CBT or DBT, and I highly recommend a book called Lost Connections by Johann Hari.
Have you considered CBD oil? They are getting great results. It’s a little bit underworld still here in Australia due to our ridiculous laws and misinformation. Do some research on it.
I have used a few different types of these medications, and have been successful every time getting off them *when I tapered down and weaned off of them properly, according to the advice of my doctor. I haven't had any nasty side effects from any of the 3 different meds I have taken.
The first few weeks taking a new medication are a bit shit, I'll admit. If you choose to have a go at them, be aware that you may feel foggy, nauseated, more anxious, flat mood, tired, find it hard to sleep or alternatively find you sleep a bit much. This is all normal. Take it easy on yourself during this time and be mindful of any dramatic changes. Keep in touch with your doctor during the first 4-6 weeks and check in with them.