Anxiety and Stress Forum - I Am Struggling Everyday Without Meds...should I Go On Meds?

Mental Health > Anxiety and Stress Forum > I Am Struggling Everyday Without Meds...should I Go On Meds?

Learn how doctors clinically diagnose one of twelve kinds of anxiety disorders...and which doctors you should see for an anxiety diagnosis....

Q: I Am Struggling Everyday Without Meds...should I Go On Meds?

asked by: down123 on June 22nd, 2005

Experienced User

Hi guys....As I sit here right now posting this message, I am having mixed feelings. I know I suffer from anxiety as I was told by a life councellor/coach. I am against taking any medication for my anxiety and have told my councellor that I want to beat my anxiety without any meds and try to fight the feelings off by using mental power.

But there are just times where my anxiety makes me feel really nervous and jittery that I feel I am being ridiculous not trying medication. I feel that I am at a level below normal functioning when I have my anxiety moments because I am quiet and seem withdrawn from certain people and seem to not want to talk to them etc although I may really want to inside or maybe it is just my personality?. I feel that I could be a better person and feel so so much better and communicate much better and have a much better life if I were on meds. Sometimes I just wonder that.

I wonder what person I will become if I were on anxiety meds. But then I think to myself, well this is me and I kindof like the way I am. It makes me who I am. I am just so scared for personality changes and becoming addicted on the meds. But then I wonder if I could really be having a better life on the other side? :?

Is anyone out there like me? Struggling to live without meds and trying to fight off anxiety with their mental strength? And avoiding medication? How are you guys coping?

Replies(8)

adambaum

replied on June 22nd, 2005

New User

I understand your situation, I am too bouncing between the two options, I want to be able to beat the anxiety on my own and I think I can. I am starting cognitive behavioral therapy and it appears promising.
Ssri's are the family of meds that deal with anxiety and depression, to my understanding none of them are addictive, sometimes you see peoples personalities change on them, like there a little too happy and careless but you really need to watch the doses. A psychiatrist told me most people are taking too big of a dose. Those that are taking an adequate dose you cant tell that they are on any meds...

I encourage you too try different therapies and learn all you can and stay strong. I am here for you and will help you the best I can. Learn about cognitive therapy and give it a chance. If you need the assistance of meds in the future then that is an option too.

Stay strong!!!

lynn74

replied on July 2nd, 2005

Experienced User

To down
you cant beat anxiety by tensing up and fighting against it
you need to learn new stress and anxiety coping skills and identify and unlearn your existing coping skills which obviously arent working well enough
any valium type med, taken only as needed helps a lot and is safe
gentle exercise and long walks are very relaxing

Crystal1111

replied on July 7th, 2005

Experienced User

Medication Alternative

I would recommend a couple of books: the instinct to heal: curing depression, anxiety, and stress without drugs and without talk therapy," by david servan-schreiber, m.D., ph.D. I've struggled with anxiety and panic my whole life. I was stubborn at first about medication but reluctantly tried a few: paxil, lexapro, clonipin, and now I am taking xanax as needed. As needed, meaning, when I feel panic creeping up, I take one and it takes the edge off. Good luck!

kathycats

replied on July 7th, 2005

New User

I've been on zoloft for about 6 years, this after trying to go the "no-meds" route myself....

Here's the way I see it....

If you do not know what "normal life" feels like anymore (and you probably don't... After awhile you lose touch with that feeling) you will need to medically change yourself to feel what normal is by taking meds....

Once you are on them awhile, you can gauge to see what "normal life" is like and try to teach yourself how to achieve that feeling without meds.

Myself, after fighting taking meds for 6 months, I gave in and have experienced a "normal life" ever since. I am by nature a freeked out person who ruminates over petty stuff, so I have realized that I personally will be on meds the rest of my life.

I don't notice i'm on anything except when I forget to take them for a week or more...I start seeing my panic coming back in "from the edges"... It's no fun going back there, and all those black days I experienced during my bleakest times... And so I quickly get my butt to the pharmacy!

Hth!!!

RenegadePagan

replied on July 7th, 2005

New User

Is There An Alternative??

I have been struggleing with my meds, and on set of panick, anxiety, ptsd symptoms for over 15 years. I have been on and off of xanax in varing amounts, with positive results. However I want a life where I am not dependant on. I have tried unsuccesfully to stop, and cure myself, which only resulted in complications due to dependancy. I am fearfull of going far from home because " gowds forbid I run out of my rx.". It is awful, and has taken a toll on my family...I never go anywhere any more.
Is there some homopathic remedy/home remedy? That has the same effects as xanax? I have tried valarian and other herbs, is there something out there that works???

R.P

Zabrina

replied on July 7th, 2005

Experienced User

Panic Attack

I started haveing attacks in feb when I had some medical problems. My doctor put me on ativan and told me to see a councler. All ativan does is make you kinda sleepy. It helps sometimes.You have to take it as soon as you feel an attack comeing on. While I take it I also find ways to cope myself. The more time passes the less times I need to take it. It helps me through the bad times and helps me sleep while I learn ways to deal myself.

kathycats

replied on July 8th, 2005

New User

Re: Is There An Alternative??

renegadepagan wrote:

i have been struggleing with my meds, and on set of panick, anxiety, ptsd symptoms for over 15 years. I have been on and off of xanax in varing amounts, with positive results. However I want a life where I am not dependant on. I have tried unsuccesfully to stop, and cure myself, which only resulted in complications due to dependancy. I am fearfull of going far from home because " gowds forbid I run out of my rx.". It is awful, and has taken a toll on my family...I never go anywhere any more.

Is there some homopathic remedy/home remedy? That has the same effects as xanax? I have tried valarian and other herbs, is there something out there that works???

R.P

renegade,

it sounds like you have it pretty bad....In my experience, xanax is only meant to be taken for acute onset of actual panic attacks...Like a fire extinguisher meant for the worst moments.... But it doesn't help combat everyday feelings of anxiety.... You should try something daily like zoloft. After a few weeks, you'll probably find you're fears/anxieties are "melting away"... Then you can start to experience life normally....

If your world has closed in like you imply it has (agoraphobic), you probably need professional help. Keep trying differnet methods until something works for you....Psychiatrist, psychologist, cognitive therapy, etc....

RenegadePagan

replied on July 9th, 2005

New User

Alternative...re: Response From Kathycats

Ohh yes I do have it real bad, I have been house bound for weeks, and months at a time, unable to answer my phone, my front door, or even talk to people. I have started exihbiting the stupidest phobias; fear of balloons, flying things, open spaces, crowded spaces...Now take into mind that I was a professional dancer for the don ho hula show, and other events that would come to hawaii. The onset of these symptoms did not all come out at once, but slowly, and as they did, the ptsd, and flash backs become more and more vivid... I have accompanied my xanax with prozac, paxil zoloft, and so many others I have lost track... They never worked for me. I have been on xanax, up to 8 mg a day..Thats 2mg qid not tid bid or prn( but 4 2mg 4 in 1 day) I know the deal. I have been battling this for over 18 years.... My question is : is there a holistic remedy, because I am tried of living on a ball and chain, and not being able to live my life for fear of running out of my meds.... So do you know of any???

Thank you again.....

Rp

Learn About Us

Get Help

Join In

Do More

We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health
information:
verify here.

The site is not a replacement for professional medical opinion, examination, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your medical doctor or other qualified health professional before starting any new treatment or making any changes to existing treatment. Do not delay seeking or disregard medical advice based on information written by any author on this site. No health questions and information on eHealth Forum is regulated or evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and therefore the information should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease without the supervision of a medical doctor. Posts made to these forums express the views and opinions of the author, and not the administrators, moderators, or editorial staff and hence eHealth Forum and its principals will accept no liabilities or responsibilities for the statements made. Schizophrenia health sitemap.
This page was last updated on January 1, 2009.
© 2008 eForums, Inc