Used Xanax...Feel better...Panic attack?

Question

For about 3 weeks now I have been dealing with waht I am thinking to be anxiety, but could very well be a large number of other things. Every symptom I have though is right along with panic attacks...which I have struggled with in my past.

Anyway, I took a xanax, and I feel completely better. Does this mean that my issues are probably anxiety, or panic related?

Thanks for all who answer!

Answer 1

Xanax is a fast-acting anti-anxiety drug called a benzodiazepine. If it worked, and given what you mention, your problem is definitely an anxiety disorder. Welcome to the club. That's the most common general mental diagnosis in the western hemisphere.

I should let you know though, benzodiazepines are habit-forming. Over time, you need more of it to achieve the same effect. You can also form a dependence really easily. This means you have to stop taking it very gradually and will suffer some nasty withdrawal side-effects if you don't. Lower and lower dosages before phasing it out completely. It's a high-risk drug, so don't let your psychiatrist prescribe it to you for a long period of time.

Answer 2

It is always hard to answer questions here with limited info.

Here are some possible explainations:

Xanax is a benzodiazepine and thus it relieves anxiety and panic attacks at least in the short term before tolerance to the drug develops. You took the xanax and the drug exerted its therapeutic effects and relieved your anxiety.

Alternatively you may be or have been a regular user of xanax and you stopped taking xanax for a few weeks which left you vulnerable to panic attacks as part of a rebound/withdrawal syndrome.

You need to find the cause of your panic attacks and work on the cause. Perhaps you have a stressful things going on in your life. Fix the problem I think and don't rely on drugs. Fix the cause not the symptoms.

Answer 3

Yes, if xanax helps, you are most likely suffering from an anxiety disorder. I take Adavan for anxiety. It, like xanax is addictive. So I don't take it unless I am really hurting, maybe twice each week and it really helps. Both of these medications help panic attacks, which I get occasionally. Like you said, it could be other things. I had panic attacks a few years ago when I had a hyperactive thyroid and I was very short of breath. I suggest you have a complete physical to determine if you have any other health issues. Good Luck!

Answer 4

I suffer from panic disorder too. I was on Xanax for 7 years @ .25mg 1x day. I took it along with an antidepressant, and today I am xanax free. I just weaned myself off when I got pregnant last year, and stayed off. Xanax is the drug of choice for anxiety, and panic along with others. If you felt anxious and took a xanax and it calmed you then it did what it is supposed to do, but you should never self medicate. You should make sure you have a script for xanax because it is a controlled substance. You need to talk to your therapist and let him/her know what's happening, and then they will give you the script for xanax if they feel that you need it.

Answer 5

It could be either. You can be stressed out about a lot of things without being panicked or having an attack. For example, I am very afraid of airplanes. My mom has panic attacks, so she always takes xanax. this time she gave me one. i don't have panic attacks or anything, but i felt much better. it just blocks off emotions, so you won't feel any emotions. if you have a panic attack your heart will beat really fast and you will feel like you can't breathe anymore.

Answer 6

Actually, it could be both. I am now taking Xanax as needed and haven't used it for about a year now.

Congrats on beating the attack.

Get yourself checked for reflux disease. This is one of the major causes of anxiety and panic.

Answer 7

Ignoring the fact that it's impossible to answer your question without some generalization or interaction with my personality and others ... I was brought up by feminazis (hardcore feminists) and in the first 6 or 7 years of my life believed that men were evil, the cause of evil, immature, stupid, rapists, perverts, pedos, permanently trying to shag you. Now, I admit that's an extreme form of feminism, but don't you agree that's a bad thing? If that feminazi-ism existed before, it's as likely to exist now. A few years ago a colleague said "the only person discriminated against in the UK is the white male". Today we have a law going through parliament which allows men to be discriminated against in job selection. It already was illegal to not hire the best of your interviewees on the basis that she's female. It's actually legal to not hire because he's a male. And you're suggesting I take it easy on this subject? Wasn't this behaviour battled against by honourable suffragettes and feminists with great vigour last century? I hate feminism for the same reasons feminism hates the patriarchy. Until feminism realises it's inner patriarchy, it's not for equal rights and is only an improvement over the BNP/KKK. Bob

Answer 8

Xanax is a prescribed drug issued by a phsycian. To just try one pill doesn't give you any information as to what is wrong with you. It is very addicting, so be careful. There are other drugs on the market that aren't as addicting such as Paxil and Zoloft that will work for your anxiety...see your doctor.

Answer 9

I have used xanax for my panic attacks, it is the best med for anxiety.

Answer 10

As a Xanex user I feel your problem is probably anxiety related. I have panic attacks and Xanex doesn't always do the job of relieving my attacks.