My fiance has had terrible anxiety for about 2 years...Please Help!!?

Question

It has caused her to lose her job and become basically a shut in with our two dogs. She only leaves the house when I am with her, and thats tough because I work full time and also in Grad. School. She has tried paxil and zoloft to no avail. Does anyone know how well Lexapro works? We are a young couple and should be out having fun, she is not the same girl I fell in love with.I don't know how much longer I can take this.

Answer 1

the meds you have been prescribed are strictly antidepressents not for anxiety disorders the drugs of choice for this problem are ATIVAN, vALIUM, klonipen not clonidine please make sure you differthatentiate those two and the last choice would be xanax due its highly addictive effects so go see the doc again and merely suggest thesemeds to him he will make a choice for you when he sees you have investigated the condition thoroughly good luck

Answer 2

Just taking drugs alone will NOT help. In fact, I discourage the use of drugs whenever possible -- it disables a person's conscious ability to deal with the source of the problem.

Your fiancee needs to see a good psychiatrist or counselor. She is obviously having a hard time letting go of her fear of change, possible failures and outside criticism---most likely brought about by some personal trauma (a big one, or an accumulation of small nasty events).

Your fiancee will also need to find a 'new meaning' or purpose to her life, something so overwhelmingly good, important and real to her that it begins to supersede her fears. This means finding a new spirituality for herself. Don't be surprised if this might involve the help of a religious person. Also, don't be surprised if she ends up wanting to move to a different state or country, where the culture might be more helpful to her.

It all sounds religious, I know. You might not be inclined to listening to this kind of talk. But this is the truth we must all remember: Nobody's life can be defined as just a series of little goals to be achieved (e.g. getting a good job, getting praise and fame from others, acquiring that house and car, going out to hip clubs to have fun, etc.). Because when you do, any form of pet-anxiety you entertain in your mind inevitably becomes full-blown depression at some point in your life (like in your girlfriend's case).

A new-found higher calling, plus wise counseling and true friendship*, are the medicine your beloved girl needs to start living (and loving) again.

*Notice I said friendship. You might end up being merely best friends for the time being, rather than lovers, because of your girl's problem. In what manner do you intend to stick with her, for better or for worse? What are you willing to go through for her, and why? (Think deeply about this.)

May God be with you both.

Answer 3

hello i have been dealing with anxiety for 10 years i am far from curing it the most important thing to do is be there for her. it makes things 100 times worse if she does not a a crutch, understand that anxiety is much more then a feeling of excitment. shes stays in the house because she feels safe, and when she ventures out its only with you, so without you she will not venture out believe me i know. she probablly is becoming agraphobic can not take stress and the medicine is probablly not working because she has anxiety over them also. the key is to not let your feelings and thoughts take over your physical body. this is the worse thing ive ever went threw, it would be better to have a disease that way you know how to fight it and the worse thing to do is have to fight yourself its a neverending battle. i beg of you to understand show support and do not leave. she is the same girl she is just trapped in her own feelings and the last thing she needs is someone she loves too not be with her . try a book called hope and help for your nerves by claire weeks its not a cure but a understanding that helped me more then any pill or person. good luck this is my first time on here and your my first reply.

Answer 4

I am so sorry you're going through this.

Depression and anxiety are so painful.

I'd encourage your fiance to get into counseling/therapy. The isolation she's inducing is most likely keyed to something from her childhood... and cognitive therapy would be helpful.

In addition, I'd suggest seeing a psychiatrist who can prescribe meds for her. There are several new ones that have recently been introduced.

But, one without the other won't be enough to "break through" what she's experiencing.

Good luck to you -- and remember that being the "caregiver" is much more difficult than anyone can ever imagine... so give yourself some credit-- and hang in there.

Answer 5

If she is not already doing this, get her to exercise strenuously at least three or four times per week. Avoid drinking too much alcohol. I would only go to prescriptions if the exercise does not cure the problem. When I say strenuous, I mean something aerobic like running or stairclimber machine to the point of having almost nothing left. You might also have her try St. Johns Wort.

Answer 6

I am so happy, it was only a 35 minute drive ( 70 minutes total) but absolutely no sign of anxiety or panic i shopped till I dropped - brilliant! I will now go for the next stage DUAL CARRIAGE way, probably at the weekend, with my husband accompanying me first then the solo drive, if successful the final stage of driving on motorway

Beat Anxiety And Panic Attacks Naturally?

Answer 7

Lexapro is generally used for depression. I'd say your fiancee' needs to be accessed by another doctor immediately and get into some regular therapy before she drives you both crazy. Ever thought that she's using this as an excuse to control you? Hummm....just a thought.

Answer 8

Xnanx it works wonders. I have tried it and for the short period that I was on it I did just fine. Talk to your doctor and see if this may an avenue worth trying.

Answer 9

See thi site under metal issues with advice from 3 MDs on natural things to do to help greatly.

http://phifoundation.org/heal.html

Answer 10

SHE NEEDS TO FIND ANOTHER MEDICINE THAT WOULD MAYBE HELP HER.

SHE CAN GO OUT BUT OBVIOUSLY ONLY IF YOU ARE AROUND...I CAN RELATE TO HER!!! GOOD FOR HER!!

I ONLY LIKE TO GO OUT WHEN MY HUSBAND IS AROUND. TOO FREAKY GOING OUT IDIOTS EVERYWHERE! NOTHING WRONG WITH WAITING FOR MY HUSBAND TO COME HOME SO I CAN GO OUT!! YES WEIRDO'S OUTSIDE!!

MAYBE SHE IS MORE COMFORTABLE WHEN YOU ARE WITH HER..MOST FEMALES ARE LIKE THAT!!! I HATE HAVING TO GO ANYWHERE BY MYSELF WITHOUT MY HUSBAND I GET VERY NERVOUS ALONE!!! I NEED COMPANY!! I UNDERSTAND HER! MAYBE BUY HER A SELF DEFENCE MOVIES THEN SHE CAN GET TOUGHEN UP!! RENT MARTIAL ARTS MOVIES FOR HER...lol..funny...JUST HANG IN THERE.ONE DAY SHE WILL GO OUT BY HERSELF AND YOU WISHED SHE STAYED HOME!

I DON'T BLAME HER FOR BEING ANXIOUS! I GET ANXIOUS MOST OF THE TIME ESPECIALLY WHEN I AM STRESSED OUT!!

MAYBE SHE HAD BAD EXPERIENCE SO NOW SHE GETS ANXIOUS!! WHAT DO YOU EXPECT IF SHE SUFFERED NERVOUS BREAK DOWN! SOMETIME MAYBE SHE JUST NEED HELP TO TALK TO SOMEBODY!