Is this common for people with anxiety and panic and do meds really take the edge off?

Question

To feel like their anxiety is a mental prison or that they're completely helpless?

And about meds, I know they don't cure or make everything all better, but do they really take the edge off? Obviously, I know that ativan and the other benzos are great for temporary relief during panic, but what about long term treatments like antidepressants? Any good?

I feel like, no I know, that because of my anxiety, I can barely function and if it weren't for my fiance, I wouldn't be functioning at all.

Oh, I'm definitely going to do therapy in addition to medication.

Answer 1

yes, that's right, meds just for temporary relief and do not cure you, sometime if you have addicted to med its gonna be hard to stop the medication,
maybe this could help your panic attack goes away forever, many people have get rid of it, you can see some testi there

http://mamsam.panicaway.hop.clickbank.net/

good luck

Answer 2

Hi, I have had anxiety and panic attacks since I was a teenager, suffice to say, Im middle aged now. I was so gripped with fear, I almost became housebound.... Finally someone convinced me to go to a shrink, thank god for that, after trying various meds to see what would work, I have been on klonopin since 1992 and started lexapro a couple of years ago. This disease can strike at anytime, any age. I havent had either a panic attack or anxiety attack in 10 years. I feel like I was given my life back. I know I will probably be on meds the rest of my life, but thats ok, Im not dying and I can live my life the way I want and have fun and be happy! Good luck!

Answer 3

How you're feeling is completely normal. I have PTSD and GAD. I've tried a bunch of meds and to tell you the truth, they all just put me to sleep rather than doing much for the anxiety. What really did work for me was cognitive behavioral therapy. It's a good deal of work, but it helps you to "head the panic off at the pass" so to speak. Now, instead of depending on meds to calm me down, I've learned to avoid the spiraling thought processes that bring on my panic and anxiety. I also learned this super breathing technique to stop panic. Take a deep breath and breathe out for four counts. Then take another deep breath and breathe it out for 8 counts. Keep going doing this until you can breathe it out for 16 counts. Don't faint while you do this!! Do it with someone until you're sure you can do it without getting light headed. My therapist said it lessens the oxygen in my blood that automatically goes up (hyperventilation) when I begin to panic and causes a semi-euphoric calm when I do it. But in any case, I can't say that personally meds were a worthwhile treatment for me at all. Docs push them and they just were plain old damaging. However, I'm not a doc at all and I don't know your case. If you feel like you need them, then do it and feel better. That's what I want for you :) Just know you're not weird and not alone. Panic and anxiety can and does feel like a prison and I depend on my hubby a lot. That's what our loved ones are for. Keep your chin up. Just remember this. There is nothing wrong with you, you just have some blood chemistry imbalance that by no means reflects on your self worth. You're a beautiful, worthwhile human being and I believe in your strength.

Answer 4

I suffered constant anxiety and debilitating panic attacks for decades. It was horrible and I thought there was nothing that would help (and I tried everything). Then five years ago my physician prescribed Paxil and Xanax. NO MORE panic attacks or even anxiety. It's been a lifesaver. Now I don't even need the Xanax. My daughter had the same problem and resisted trying the medication for a long time but then last winter she had severe panic after the birth of her last baby. They gave her Paxil and Xanax in the hospital and now she's a believer too.

Answer 5

I have severe anxiety and i do panic. I am on antidepressants. (Zoloft). For me my anxiety problems and panic attacks are horrible if not treated. I also have been prescribed Klonepin. It seems as i will have to take meds to keep my anxiety and panic attacks under control. I am with my fiance also. He helps very much. It really does make you feel like your in mental prison in your head. It can drive you completly crazy, if not treated. Good luck.

Answer 6

The meds do work really well and they will help you function, my only problem with them (I was on 30mg Prozac) was that I *felt* like I was on drugs and I didn't like that. I've taught myself to cope with out the drugs (Though I still keep Ativan on hand as my "just in case") even in a highly stressful job. But if you're having problems functioning then the drugs might be a good idea for you, atleast while you learn other strategies.

Answer 7

First of all, you need to be in counseling for anxiety and not thinking about a pill or your fiance to get you through the day.

A good counselor (who has experience with anxiety) can discuss how to better cope and work on why you have this in the first place. Finding out where it started and why is very important, that is how you deal with it. A pill is a bandaid on a gushing wound, it does little and creates major problems in the end.

Do the smart thing, get to a good counselor and learn that anxiety is a mind thing that you CAN control and overcome. I know, I did.

Answer 8

I know that anxiety goes along with depression. I take celexa now and barely need to take my benzo-klonopin. If you find the right anti-depressant, this should really help. I would be on lexapro, but cannot get it through my insurance. Celexa is the same chemically. Get on an anti-depressant.

Answer 9

You might not need the benzos after the long term med has kicked in. My anxiety almost completly went away.

Answer 10

yeah i have the sam prob...i want some long term thing to take the edge off.....but im worried about nausea side effects (im an emetaphobic)