Paxil or Lexapro for social anxiety?

Answer 1

Tell your doctor EVERYTHING. It's all confidential, and it'll help him/her decide which one is best for you. Don't listen to anyone on thie site. We haven't examined you, or talked to you. Good luck, hon. :)

Answer 2

Obviously no one here knows your situation. However, I have used both of those meds. I will tell you something I wish I had been told. Paxil can really pile the weight on really quick!! I went from a pleasing 100lbs and petite to over 140 within about 6 months or so. It is known to cause weight gain for many. And the weight is hard to get off. It really messes with your metabolic process.

I have a severe spinal situation. Many of the folks on my medical support board are on Lexapro. I have been for some years now and consider it the best med I've ever been on. Works quick. No side effects for me. Never lost all the Paxil pounds but have gained none since on Lexapro. Does not leave funny taste in mouth or make foods taste funny or metallic.

Be sure and ask about all the side effects of any drug or go online and do research first. As with any of the meds you need a person close to you to be on alert that the med is helping and not making you worse. A person that really knows you and would be honest to advise you of any changes you really might not realize are happening!!

I was on Effexor for a good while, not realizing that I was almost suicidal because of the Effexor. Now they are warning folks to watch that the meds are not making them worse. My doc was increasing my Effexor and all the time I was getting worse and severly depressed, couldn't think straight, lost my home to foreclosure, etc. Never think that the med you are taking to help a problem may not cause others or be making you think weird.

Do not count on the med helping without some sort of counseling to deal with the cause of your anxiety. We do not have to live our whole lives on meds. I now only take one at night, mainly to help me sleep through my spinal pain.

Good luck on getting some real help.

Answer 3

Neither! I was on Lexapro for 2 years and gained over 20 lbs.! It made me feel like a zombie and made me crave alcohol. There is no shortcut to treatment. Regular exercise, healthy diet and the right suppliments can make you feel much better. I recommend you try these things before hitting the prescription drugs. There are a few mood stabilizers you will find at your local GNC or Vitamin shop that can help you too! It doesn't take much to feel better. Remember, those prescription drugs are really difficult to get off of.

Answer 4

The resolution to problems is not in an all encompassing pill. Remember that any disorder requires you to be proactive in managing your condition. All antidepressants have side effects, but so do many "herbs and spices". Your physician should be the best judge of your condition if you are totally honest. You should always use medications like these in conjunction with counseling.

And above all else, do not put anything else in your system that may alter the effects of your brain chemisty any more than it already is.
Good luck

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?

Answer 6

Neither one. All drugs have side effects (and some have side effects worse than what the drug is supposed to help), so it's not a good idea to take any of them.
There are a number of natural herbs and supplements that are very good for stress and mood support (which often help the outlook and can help anxiety). There is St. John's Wart, SAMe, some B-Vitamins, GABA, Ashwagandha, and L-Theanine as the most popular ones for mood

Answer 7

neither - a pill can't treat social anxiety - you may consider therapy - or buy some books - I have been reading goodbye to shy by liel lowdnes or something like that.

pills aren't the answer to every little bitty thing and they can ruin your health. try to do everything you can to avoid taking pills.

sometimes it just takes trying and seeing if you can get past it - fake it until you make it.

I'm extremely shy myself, it's still very hard for me . I just make myself do it.

sometimes I can and sometimes I still have trouble. the more you do it and are successful the easier it will get. I have a lifetime of bad social experiences so I really do understand.

Answer 8

Dont need it, i stayed in my house for a few years never really left, just played video games. Of course i was in a sense disconnected from society, got nervous talkin to hot chicks, and other people in general, and bein in front of people. You just gotta go for it, and youll feel better that you dont gotta rely and depend on addicting drugs/anti anxiety meds. In the long run, its better for you, not only mentally but physically to overcome the obsticle yourself, overcome it and let us know what it was like going through it.

Answer 9

I took Paxil a few years ago!!!!!! I hated it! If you ever forget to take it for a day you will feel like complete poop!!

Answer 10

Lexapro. It's not addicting and it doesn't take long to have an affect on you.