When SSRIs are giving more side effects than relief (social anxiety)?

Question

Hi. I have three questions:
1.Is it worth trying another SSRI if three types [seroxat, prozac, effexor] have given too many side effects?
2.Are there other medications for social anxiety other than SSRIs? Are these generally worse?
3. Do people with social anxiety generally need to take medication forever?
Thanks

Answer 1

Hello. I have had severe anxiety for more than 16 years. I know how miserable you must feel. I have tried sooo many meds. I was on Zoloft, Effexor, etc. You name it and it has probably been prescribed to me. I got very little relief from the SSRI's. I gained alot of weight, spent alot of money, ans wasted alot of time taking them. I cant say that they wont help you because everyone is different. In my case they just have never helped. Now I am taking Xanax as needed. Seriously, it has helped me more than anything else I have ever tried. It can stop an anxiety attack in its tracks if taken when you feel the attack coming on. It has really been a godsend for me.

Your question #1 - Yes, you may possibly find one that works for you. Dont give up yet.

Your question #2 - Yes - Benzo's such as Xanax. I recommend you talking toyour doctor about letting you try a small dosage like maybe .25 mg. (that's all I take)

For your question #3 - It's impossible to say. I have been told by a couple of doctors that I would probably have to take something from now on for my anxiety. That thought used to scare me but it doesn't anymore. I would rather feel good than not, so if that requires me taking meds - I guess I will take them.

Good luck to you. I hope you can overcome the anxiety or find the right med that helps you. If you ever want to chat with someone who understands what you are going through just send me a message through here and I will give you my email address and/or yahoo messenger id.

Answer 2

1. Depends how severe your anxiety is .. try another if it is severe.

2. Anti-anxiety meds, such as klonopin (least addictive), xanax, valium ... beta-blockers - they stop the physical symptoms of panic attacks... which in turn decreases the anxiety.

3. Not necessarily ... Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/cognitive_b... worked best for me. I suffered from social anxiety for over 15 years. I've tried meds, individual therapy, and group therapy and studied psychology for 10 years, as a profession, but also with the hope to cure myself.

Depending on your comfort level, you could go to a psychologist that practices CBT and specializes in anxiety disorders, seek a group therapy, or create one. Usually those that do attend the group therapy are a bit more high functioning because as you know, it can be difficult to speak in a group.

Another idea is to see if there are any local research studies being conducted that you could participate in.

The program that finally worked the best for me is this one: http://www.socialanxiety.us/findinghelp.... and I was lucky enough to have a structured behavioral group to go along with it. Sometimes the people that actually attend this program come back home and form groups.

Any questions, let me know ... I can't tell you how much this has improved my life!

Answer 3

In regards to your first question...
Initially, when I was first diagnosed with social phobia I was put on Prozac. The side effects were unbearable for me. I immediately stopped taking it. I'm on Paxil now, and I've been taking it for 6+ months now. It has helped me tremendously, and I've experienced no side effects at all. I know every individual responds differently to medication, but try Paxil.
There are different ways to help defeat social anxiety, other than medication. There's techniques you can learn such as rational emotive imagery.

Good luck to you

Answer 4

maybe in your case, counseling would be a better approach, if you haven't tried that already. Most of the mental health pills have a lot of side effects, unfortunately.

I had really bad social anxiety when I was younger and I forced myself to get out with people by doing theater, speech and debate in high school. Now I can fake it real good, and it is actually easier. It was terrifying to do it, but really worth it.

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?