What do anxiety disorder medications do to you?

Question

I have servere anxiety disorder and I want to know from someone who HAS it and is currently taking the medications for it, what do they really do to you? Do they make you numb and so that you don't really care about anything? Because that is not what I want at all. I don't want to be the person who is dull and does not care about anything. Do they just get rid of your anxiety and have no other side effect on your personality? I really hope they don't change who I am because I have an appointment to actually get the medication in a week, and I'm nervous. It would suck to become a whole different person after taking the medications, although it will be awesome to stop worrying about everything..lol

Answer 1

I can tell you that my experience taking xanax was that all it did was remove the anxiety.... no effect on normal processes or personality or anything. It would keep me at a normal state. Also, as with any medication, follow up with the doctor or therapist should something weird start.... don't worry, the meds are to make you your old self!

Answer 2

I have tried anti-anxiety medications a couple of times but I didn't like how they made me feel. I got the shakes both times. I was told that the side effects I was having were temporary but I wasn't willing to put up with them. I have learned to 'talk myself down' when I begin to feel anxious. Not everyone can do that though and medications are very necessary for some people.

I must say that I'm very proud of you for not being willing to blindly except the medication and are questioning the effects they may have on you. If you feel that medication will be the right way for you to go at least you'll be aware of the side effects and be able to make an intelligent decision.

Answer 3

A lot depends on what type of anxiety med's you’re talking about, they do vary. Plus it depends on what type of anxiety you have, general to severe anxiety or when it goes past that and turns into an anxiety type of disorder. You also have to remember that everyones body is different and reacts differently.

I don't have a disorder but my anxiety can be heightened under stress, but not bad enough to experience panic attacks. I take a pill when needed, or two or three! It works for me. My thoughts are then able to think "normally" (lack of a better word) instead of focusing on worries and fears. It does not make me feel the above fears you've mentioned as concerns. I think your concerns are more geared towards depression meds.

This is what I learned about anxiety that helped me and my friend. Anxiety is fear based; threat (or perception of one), change, and the inability to say No. Living in a world of What If only spins you in circles. You are in control of your life and can fix or change things to reduce those fears and empower yourself. What works for me best is when I say to myself, "What’s the worst that can happen?" So for you....Ok, you take the meds, become numb, don't care, changes your personality....Ok....so then what would you do? Stop the med's. Is that really so bad? It's not to worst that can happen, right? You did trial and error and didn't like it, and now you can move forward to the next step whatever that is. Unfortunately med's don't work by themselves, you have work hard at to. But you can do it, because what’s the worst that can happen? You're already there, right? Nothing but up from here.

One time my best friend started to have a panic attack after smoking a little marj. She told me she thought she was going to die. I sat there and thought about it. She explained what she meant for about 10 minutes. I knew she was having a panic attack and thought to myself, but didn't tell her at first, "What's the worst that could happen? Well, she could die. But if she was gonna die, she would have died already 10 minutes ago so it doesn't make sense. So I told her "You know what? I think if you were gonna die, you would have done it already by now." She thought about it and started to calm down. She started laughing and said, "You're right. I would have died already by now. I'm gonna be OK." Then we couldn't stop laughing at how our mind can play tricks on us sometimes.

Answer 4

I have taken xanax for flying before, and it just makes me very tired, which for that situation is a very good thing. I too, have anxiety disorder, and my doctor just started me on busbar, so far, so good, but it all depends on what you want to do.

If you're hesitatnt about starting medication, try other techniques first and then if those don't work, think seriously about the medicine.

Good luck! I hope things work out well for you.

Answer 5

I am interested to see what such meds can do for me. I am about to try them. I know from someone who has that they don't change who you are but can make a huge difference, and a positive one. I would try such meds when you aren't planning to go anywhere, though, b/c they can cause sedation.

Answer 6

if you have a good doctor it should just level you out.. you should 'nt be dull ...and will be the same person only more normal the way you should be.. so dont worry you will feel much better after they get you leveled out...