Ok this is what I decided to do about my anxiety and medication. Good or Dumb?

Question

Since I've noticed that anxiety is all in my head i've decided not to take a SSRI. Its weird ever since my doctor prescribed me paxil or laxapro my anxiety stoped COMPLETLEY just knowing that im gettin some help being put on medicine. So obvisouly its just all in my head and its not as serious as I thought since I havnt had a panic attack all day. And thats just from being decribed and NOT taking anything. So NOW i have decided to not take a SSRI since My anxiety isnt that bad, but ill keep "xanax" just incase I feel one coming on again. I know xanax can be habit forming but Im not the addicting type. I quit smoking with no problem after smoking for 8 years. Is "xanax" ok to take once in a while? Not everyday, but just when i feel anxiety TO THE EXTREME and absolutly feel i need it. Or am I being stupid and dumb? I Just feel like I can do fine without an SSRI, and with the help of some xanax once in awhile. What do you guys think? This can save me money, as well as extra problems.

uM "iLaff", what the **** are you talking about? Apparently your meds are ***** up your thinking. I AM NOT ON ANY MEDICATION, im not stoping ANYTHING. Im just Considering not going on anything. Read before you post bull ****.

Answer 1

No, you are not stupid. A lot of medications are psychological and people start to "feel" better once they take meds because that is what is expected. No, I am not saying that your prescribed medicines doesn't help but I think 50% is mental. I have anxiety and panic attacks at times, as well, but I refuse to take medications because for me personally they are not that serious and doesn't affect my social and personal life. I have to tell myself that my healing comes from within. However, since they WERE prescribed I recommend that you continue to take it unless your doctor says otherwise...just to be on the safe side.

Answer 2

Xanax is okay to use once in a while for emergencies, but you should probably check with your doctor before making any hasty decisions. It's entirely true that just knowing you were getting something helped relieve your anxiety, but what is the real cause of your anxiety? You could also consider filling the prescription when you need it (prescriptions are usually good for 1 year after they are prescribed) so you can go some time without it, but if you then need it you won't have to go back to your doctor.

Answer 3

I am not sure that is a good idea. I always feel better at the though of getting help i.e. making the appointment so that by the time the date comes around I either go and feel so good after the one time that I don't go back. Or I don't even go to the first apt b/c I feel good just for making it. (all this w/o medication) But the good feeling doesn't last long. Withing a few days or weeks I am having suicidal thoughts or I start cutting again.

Answer 4

I think you should talk over all your concerns with your Doctor simply because not taking a medication as he may prescribe could do you no good, and may do harm by stopping and starting depending how you feel that day. Medications
all work in different ways, and it is important to be consistent so that your progress can be monitored. Of course your anxiety is not just in your head and don't hesitate to get treatment. I really hope you will get good results and start to feel better soon!

Answer 5

DON'T TAKE SSRIS!!!!.(paxil, prozac) I know from experience, having suffered from ocd. The underlying problem is your brain does not produce enough serotonin. SSRIS do not raise serotonin and related neurotransmitters they just trick the brain into thinking you have enough. This can lead to neurotransmitter depletion and make your problem worse. After seeing the doctor recently ( second opinion unfortunately a little late), I have dangerously low serotonin levels, due to my use of paxil. (I now have problems related to low levels of serotonin including no appetite, increased anxiety, spastic mood patterns, problems going to sleep, problems waking up after I go to sleep I am receiving treatment for this thankfully). A product you should look into is 5 HTP. You can find this product at any walgreens, cvs pharmacy or walmart. It increases your serotonin levels among other neurotransmitters.

Answer 6

some people can work through anxiety without meds, so if you think you want to try and do it that way I don't think that is dumb, but i would suggest staying in treatment. Your Dr. can help you learn other ways of dealing with the anxiety (cognitive behavioral therapy, or desenitization...etc.) I personally wouldn't do the xanax they way you described but that's just my experience. tranquilizers just mask symptoms and don't solve the problem, mentally or chemically. i used to used Xanax just the way you described, but I found that it gave me terrible nightmares, I felt even MORE anxious the next day, and often felt depressed.

Answer 7

Everything sounds good, but you need to understand about the SSRI's. It can take a couple of weeks or so for them to be out of your system just like it took a while to get in your system. If you start feeling bad, it could get real bad quickly. Just be careful, and good luck!

Answer 8

Uh, let me understand you; You feel like what you are doing is working so you are going to stop doing it? You do know this is the CLASSIC response to a successful treatment plan...that is; since it works you're all better so you can quit the meds...why oh why would do such a thing?? I do NOT get it...and I take wellbutrin and plan are continuing to do so...I Deserve to NOT feel like hammered dogdo and will never go back ever...why are you?

Answer 9

If you feel its working then do it like you said saves money and extra problems you know what feels best for you

Answer 10

See this site for natural help for anxiety.

http://www.phifoundation.org/panic.html