If you suffer from generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety and depression. Yes all in one.?

Question

would you mind telling me medications you are trying....are you on one or a combo

I'm seeing my doctor today and need to change my meds, I need some meds to discuss the advantages with him. In the past when he has tried to change my medicine he goes way backward....like only treating the anxiety, or only the depression and unfortunately it's the proper treatment for me.

I'm not new to anxiety...had it all my life...last year at 27 was finally brave enough to ask for help.

for the critics...when the meds are working well for your body...you feel like yourself all the time...not that you don't get sad or angry or fearful, but it's so much more managable
the meds I have tried before either didn't work at all or exasperated my social anxiety ( which is my worst issue), by making the depression and gad controlled

i'm kinda of rambling...I'm seeing him very soon...thanks

Answer 1

Although lots of people would say that "anxiety is all in your head", I would have to disagree. I have found out recently that my brain chemicals and hormones are not in the normal range, so while others seem to think I have "control" over my anxiety, I beg to differ. My body is trying to compensate for the chemicals being out of balance and it is causing me tension and anxiety, which I can sometimes control with relaxation breathing and following a schedule, but other times, I absolutely cannot control it.

I have been taking zoloft 50mg for about 2 months. It worked pretty well for the first month, but after that, I felt like I needed something else. One doc said to double the dose. But another doc I went to had me run a saliva test for hormones and a urine test for brain chemicals. Yay! Found out LOTS of good stuff and now I am going to start taking some natural supplements that should help me get it all straight. This business about "trying" different drugs without even TESTING first is not right. I suggest you get a saliva and urine test first. Most people don't even know about them and most docs don't either, but I highly recommend you check into it. I have a friend who did and she is "all better" now and it is totally amazing.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Our family is rife with this kind of thing- it stinks, but- I know what you mean about when things work and when they don't.

The thing we've discovered is that Paxil makes us nuts if we take it any less than every 22 hours- something about the half-life or metabolic breakdown rate of it makes us withdraw if not managed carefully- absolutely not worth the rage surges and terror it gives you when you miss a dose by an hour!

We seem to do best with Wellbutrin, Prozac, and- believe it or not, Ritalin. It has occurred to me and my three sisters, mom and aunts (yep, family chemistry with a gaggle of women!) that treatment for the ADD aspect of our chemistry is somehow fully able to address the depression, anxiety and social fits we suffered. My doc says it's because all are related neurotransmitter imbalances and that a lot of women don't realize they have ADD. The cumbersome consequences and coping mechanisms we have to use to manage our lives are actually the cause of the stresses and depression, plus the anxiety of not keeping it together wipes us out.

Worked like a charm for me! Tiny dose of methylphenidate and I'm functional and happy.

One step past that, I got off the ritalin all together by cutting grains out of my diet, but that's a different subject...look at my post from a few days ago.

Cheers, and good luck!!

Answer 3

For the depression, talk about Prozac, Effexor, Luvox, Cymbalta, etc.

For the Social Phobia and GAD, seek a cognitive-behavioral therapist. CBT will directly address your anxiety and in the course of three months you will notice drastic differences. Short term use of Xanax may help the SP and GAD, but is addictive. Do be careful.

Answer 4

there is a very simple exercise that u can do to limit ur anxiety by following these easy steps : 1- spend 30 minutes of ur day only to think about ur problems and anxiety but only within these 30 minutes that u r allowed to express ur fears and anxiety . i suggest talking to a friend in those 30 minutes .and for the rest of the day do not worry or think about ur problems .also do that in the same place daily . 2- if u r unable to do that . try not to think of ur anxieties for 30 minutes a day . 3- define the things that worry u . look at them from another perspective . remember that u have what it takes to overcome problems . i feel the same way as u do . and im majoring in psychology and this exercie helped me alot . best of luck to u .

Answer 5

I was diagnosed with G.A.D., and Chronic deppression when i was 16. I take Lexapro, it treats both of my symptoms. Try this, there aren't any side effects that I experienced (except when you go ff of them then you have to go slow). i would like to say though, alot of people believe that meds aren't the right answer. you really have to loo kat yourself for that one, but don't let anyone tell you that drugs aren't the way to go! because just b/c one person doesn't need them, doesn't mean you or I can live a happy normal life free of panick attacks, black outs, and weeks of dark rooms, with out medical help! never be afraid of what helps you! good luck, and props to you for getting help!

Answer 6

Overcome Social Anxiety And Shyness : http://tinyurl.com/iTOESxd5PV

Answer 7

I'm on 40 mg of celexa and it doesn't work all that great... about half as effective as I need it to be... but the thing is what works for one person, even with the same set of symptoms, doesn't necessarily work well for another. you'll just have to talk to your doctor about it and see what he suggests, and keep trying things until you find something that takes care of your symptoms.

Answer 8

i have had them all for a few yrs now too. i've tried many different pills and combos my current one is celexa and wellbutrin and atarax. everyone is different and may not work for people the same way so i would discuss different options with the doctor it took me a few yrs to straighten it out and find a combo that worked for me.. good luck

Answer 9

I will not ask you to stop all those medicines at once, but would encourage you to look at the options in Homeopathy, Bach Flowers, quantum touch healing, Reiki, EFT etc.

Answer 10

i found ritalin to be great but ill still take halcion or xanax somewhere along the day to loosen me up i try to keep my distance from anti depressants as well as anti psychotics (xanax .5-1 mil.----halcion 0.25 mil ----ritalin 20 mil SR but not every day only when i need to perform well in studies or work)provigil when ritalin is unavailable...or in limited supply.