Questions about my anxiety/depression...?

Question

I'm 18 years old and just recently been diagnosed with depression and anxiety disorders.
First question: My doctor said he wants me to start medication soon. I have to go back in next week to get a perscription. What kind of medication would he be likely to perscribe and what kind of side effects does it have?

Second question: I play the piano, but because my anxiety has become so bad over the years I can only play in front of certain people because my hands shake so badly. I would love to be able to play in front of an audience, but I can't keep my hands on the correct keys. I was told that propranolol could help (a doctor didn't tell me this my grandma did). Is this true? Has anyone had any experience with propranolol for this type of thing? Does it have any bad side effects?

Third question: Is there any way best to tell my best friend about my recent diagnosis? I think he always suspected something but wasn't sure what it was.

Some of you guys didn't understand that I have already been to the therapist and MD and have been diagnosed with a more severe form of anxiety/clinical depression. They both told me that I needed to take meds along with the "talk therapy". I'm not just going to live like this and "let my music be my cure" that's never worked before.

Answer 1

Zoloft which is one of many anti depressants but is very widely used. It takes about 6 weeks to get it's full affect but works well.Another drug which might be used to control anxiety is Valium which has a calming effect, initially it might cause a drowsy effect but that will subside over time.Don't worry about telling your friend as he/she will notice the difference in time. Another thing your doctor may ask you to do is see a psychologist to discuss what might be causing this problem that has arisen.Propranolol is in the drug class of beta blockers and is used for the control of tremors related to the heart as well as angina and hypertension, it also affects blood flow through the veins constricting it so it is not the correct option. GOOD LUCK. I find it odd that your MD didnt prescribe and medication after his diagnosis and as far as living like that goes,it will abate in time so dont let that concern you.

Answer 2

Go get meds. There is no reason to suffer from depression or anxiety if you can get help. Lexapro is used to treat both with very few side effects. Your doctor, hopefully a psychiatrist, will know the best meds and be able to monitor how you are doing. Ask your doctor and research propranolol on-line. Research the current meds being used and look at the different side affects so you know what everyone is talking about. The reason I say a psychiatrist is because they know these types of meds much better than an internal med doc or a family doc. Many of the meds that are used for treating depression and/or anxiety have minimal side effects so you are pretty safe there. And remember, many/most great artists have historically suffered from some form of depression or other mental illness. It is nothing to be ashamed of. If you were a diabetic you would treat it with diet, meds, and exercise... well, keep playing the piano, go to the gym, eat right and take your meds. You will feel much better.

Answer 3

Tell your friend straight out. The brain is a part of the body just like any other and is subject to problems in it's functioning just as is any other, so there's no shame in that.
They'll likely try Zoloft, which makes it hard to sleep at first until your body adjusts. Then the most common side effect is that it often makes it take longer to respond sexually.
It does help a lot for the depression/anxiety, so it's a fair trade off. (If it's the right drug for your particular system).

Answer 4

You know your friend. You figure out best way. Don't be so anxious about it. Or don't tell. It is not like you have AIDS. There are lots of drugs and all have side effects. Vioxx was FDA aproved and thousands of MDs got millions of Americans on it.

It killed more Americans than the terrorists did on 9/11. Drugs may help those 2 problems but will give you other problems. If you give those drugs to your friend, you can be arrested. The MD will have you use it but he wil not take it himself.

Site below has natural help for depression and see page on anxiety. They work together. The more anxiety anyone has the less happy he is.

Answer 5

Over the last five years I had begun to have increasingly withdraw into a downward spiral of depression..

But now with the method I can fully focus my energy and thoughts into a decisive line on how to make my life better constantly. And it works like magic! I'm beginning to attract people to me once again and things have just been looking up since then.

Helping you eliminate depression?

Answer 6

Most of the greatest artists and musicians the world ever had, had anxiety and went into depressions. This is not a medical problem, it is a problem of the heart wanting to create the best music, which requires the highest level of intelligence, which is creative intelligence; intuitive intelligence. Hence the anxiety; hence the depression. (Vincent Van Gogh cut off his ear out of anxiety and depression). In a world of creativity, success comes with an inherent talent which cannot be taught, and a lot of hard work. I would suggest you concentrate on your music, work hard from today and you will be the next best pianist. The universal panacea with the largest list of users is music. So let it be music and not propanolol. (and leave your ears alone; this was an example of a renowned artist). Music has no side effects. All effects are frontal and beautiful to experience.

Answer 7

ya i don't see any answers actually helping you so far e pople just telling you its not a medical problem or natruel drugs will help . they don't my ,mom convinced her self that it didn't help me one bit . i don't know about the propranopal ask your doctor you shouldn't trust what drugs you need tO take in the hands of yahoo answers . you'll probably get zolaft or paxxil or something i can never remember the p one . i fell the same thing about my best friends which are my only friends ya thanks mom for susspecting my dprission and never taking me to the doctor .well anyone my friends defanitly suspected something wrong after that day i just wouldn't get out of bed because life was stressing me and i couldn't get to sleepfor so many nights and i told them when they called to ask . i want to tell them and i'm going to have to they will probably eb relieved i got help .though some people have friends who don't believe in clinical dppression that you can just snap out of it and this is something to be ashamed of . personally i would rather have a medical problem than just being imagining it all thats a load of crap. it medical and you tell your friend that . if there really your best friend they will suport you. i partial believe with the guy above about people becoming more creative when feeling depressed but they usial arn't just beppresed they are ipolar if your bepressed with anxiety you will never be abel to sare your talets so i for one support you in seeking help therepy and medication was agreat invention for people like you and me waasn't it?

Answer 8

I have read some litterature about panic attacks. But they allways seem to have a more scientific approach and that is nothing I need in my struggle to survive those horrible panic attacks. This is a "hand on" and very practical book. I felt it was written to me. I am sure that you are going to feel the same.

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Answer 9

Theres a detailed list of treatments and other information in this article http://www.healthadel.com/articles/9/1/Depression-Treatments/Page1.html hope it helps.