Anxiety Advice?

Question

So i talked to my doctor about 2 months ago about symptoms i've been having of anxiety attacks, and she put me on 0.5mg of Aditvan. I've gone through 13 pills with these two months but find that they arnt getting better and that im becoming more paranoid about going out. For example, i would rather stay at home by myself instead of going out with them. My friends told me the other day that in the last half a year they have noticed a change for the worse of me and my behavoir like im not the same fun person anymore! I thought it was just me that just thought ive changed but now others have noticed it. I have an appoitment with my doctor on Thursday and im not sure what to tell her, i dont want to make myself look crazy but its effecting me and my social life. Should i tell her this about not wanting to go out with people?, the medication not working to the full effectivness? Am i depressed? Im soo confused and want to keep my family out of this so any help is appreciated

Breast Cancer ... Why do you waste your time .. im looking for advice ... dont have it please dont put anything!

Answer 1

Seems to me that you should be on some type of schedule for taking your medication, 13 tablets in two months sounds like you only take your meds when you feel an episode coming on.
Just about all anxiety medications are taken on a daily basis to prevent anxiety attacks, some once daily others three times daily depending on the medication.
I am also an anxiety sufferer and I can see the change it has made in my life both social and private,
When you see your doctor find out about the feequency of taking your meds. He/She may want to change the meds you are on .
Depression and anxiety work hand in hand, when a person is treated for anxiety in most cases there is underlying depression involved at the same time. Just think about it, certain things you used to do without any problems seem to be bringing on anxious moments so you may avoid them, in turn depression sets in because you cannot do the things you were used to doing.
Just be honest with your doctor, best to jot down on a pad the things that you are concerned about and then discuss it with your doctor.
I cant recommend one way or another about getting your family involved with your cituation, but chances are that they may have noticed the change in you, You need that special someone who can help you not as an enabiler but someone who is willing to help and listen to you when you are experiencing your anxious moments.

Good luck and God bless, there is hope, you can change but it may take some time and allot of effort.


If you need to talk to someone E-mail me I have a good ear and allot experience with anxiety and depression.

Answer 2

I had this problem and dealth with it for a lont time. It started when I was under alot of stess. Ativan is a short term treatment for the symptoms of anxiety. You should get a daily scheduled med such as prozac or zoloft. Tell your doc that the ativan doesn't work, and you want to try something else. Seriously, the zoloft worked wonders for me, and I am now totally off meds and back to my old self. Anxiety can be a symptom of depression....you are not crazy. If you had a broken arm, you would go tell the doc everything....why wouldn't you do the same with anxiety/depression? Good luck!!!!!

Answer 3

Is this you?
. Inability to calm down
· Panic attacks or anxiety
· Depression
· Mental frustration
· Memory loss or inability to think
· Irritability - rapid mood swings
· Chronic fatigue
. Sensitive to bright light
· Feeling weak and shaky
· Digestive problems

These symptoms are caused by hormone imbalances, especially in women over 30. VERY easy to fix, but needs special blood tests to diagnose. Most docs will give drugs rather than run tests- many insurance HMO's don't cover. You can be fixed permanently in about 30 days if you find a hormone specialist and won't need mind-altering drugs. It's not your mind, it's your body.

Answer 4

Well, you get what you pay for when you ask for free advice!

Maybe this will help instead: your family doctor is likely to refer you to a psychiatrist who may in turn provide you with meds, however they may not be necessary. My advice to you would be to seek the advice of a licensed psychotherapist first, on your own, since many anxiety disorders are best treated with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) alone.

(I am assuming your doctor is a family doctor and not a psychiatrist, but I'm not certain from your description.)

The psychotherapist may refer you to a psychiatrist if they deem one necessary (for administering meds), which is an opinion I would trust more than that of your family doctor. Meds are probably overprescribed for anxiety because suffers contact their family doctors first.

CBT is admittedly more work than taking medications but has documented long-lasting effects for the treatment of, for instance, panic disorder.

Answer 5

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 6

Hello Mizstress,

I, too, have anxiety. Many & I do mean many of the symptoms you list, I also have. Please do make an appointment with your doctor and discuss this all with her. Tell her everything to include whether you think you may be depressed. This is a very common symptom and definately can be treated. Please don't be ashamed or embarassed, get it all out and you will get the help you need and begin to feel better soon. If you'd like to talk privately, please email me, ok? I don't know all of the answers, but I am here to share my experience with you if you should need a sounding board.

Answer 7

Why don't you tell your doctor that you feel the Ativan isn't working, and about your friends noticing a change in your behavior, that way she can assess things better and guide you better about what to try next. You won't look crazy to her, there are a lot of people out there who suffer from I think it's called agoraphobia, if that is what you have. The fear of open spaces or the fear of being around groups of people.
Good luck. Honesty is the best policy to get proper treatment and help.

Answer 8

Ask your doctor for some clonazepam 2 mg. Only use it when you really need it. Same as ativan, which i wouldn't take because i tried it 25 years ago and had a very bad experience, clonazepam should be considered something that you can get emotionally dependent upon. i keep some and have it if it gets too bad. as for the depression, you need a counselor to determine that it is not a bipolar problem. take these drugs carefully. limictal is okay for really bad depression. the others will put on weight very quickly. thanks for sharing. lol

Answer 9

2 mg. of ativan or lorazapam is a normal dose....go to another good psychiatrist. I take many anti-anxiety meds....you just need to get to the right doc for you. I have many friends who are older and suffer from "anxiety" and they take .5 mg of ativan several times a day....seems to solve their problems of anxiety...

Answer 10

anxiety will overtake your life if you let it. don't dwell on it .the more you think about it the more anxious you become.you are stronger than you think. take charge and controll your thoughts
don't let them control you.it may not be easy but with practice and patience (and for me anyway prayer) you can overcome any thing. if you can dream it,you can achieve it. good luck&God bless