Help! Anyone specialising in anxiety disorders?

Question

Just got back from seeing a Dr for anxiety that I've been living with for the last couple of years. The Dr didn't ask me any questions but prescribed effexor for me which I used about 5 years ago to deal with depression from being sexually abused as a child. I don't feel depressed, I'm just sick of feeling anxious in social situations or when I have to do things out of the norm in my everyday life and feel a little floored that I seem to back in square one when I feel I have delt with the depression and the issues that caused them. Do you think effexor is the right medication for me to be on considering I really dont feel depressed but really anxious? I'm also a little concerned about taking medication that from what I understand is long term treatment, do you think my Dr's choice in medication is correct or are there other medications out there that may be more appropriate? Thanks in advance, I just feel my Dr hasn't really understood me and need to know if this medication will help.

RE: Family doctor, I told her that I had been on effexor due to depression 5 yrs ago and that it had helped me and explained I dont feel depressed just very anxious. Do you think this is the appropriate medication for anxiety or should I get a second opinion?

Answer 1

I know exactly how you are feeling, because I have been experiencing anxiety since I was about 7 years old. I am now almost 26. I started seeing a therapist and taking medication for depression and anxiety as well, when I was 15. I recently decided that depression is not the issue for me. What I have is an anxiety disorder. I will be honest with you, I'm not sure what Effexor is, and have never taken it myself, but if it is for depression, then it's not likely to help with your anxiousness. There are antidepressants out there that have combination therapy, but you said that you are not feeling depressed, so we will just forget about those. I am currently taking what is called Klonopin. It's an anti-anxiety medication that I can take on an as needed basis. I usually take it once in the morning and if I need to I can pop one in the afternoon. This method is used for a quicker effect. There are also medications such as Buspar, for example, that you can take up to three times a day, but they take longer to build up in your system. You don't feel the immediate effects for about 4 to 6 weeks. I have also taken Buspar and have had good results. I chose to take a faster acting medication, because I do not have anxiety every day like I used to. My attacks seem to come and go. If you don't want to take medication at all, there are other alternatives for you. Using relaxation excercises, getting a good amount of excercise can help as well. It just depends on you and what you are going through. Ultimately, if you are not feeling good about the medication that your doctor has prescribed for you, then get a second opinion. Do a little research is necessary. It's your body, your mind, and you are the one that has to feel the way that you do. I hope that this helps you out a little bit. Take care and hang in there, there is something out there that will work well for you, you just have to find it and give it a chance.

Answer 2

I'm not a doctor, but I have a lot of experience with this subject and can tell you what my doctors have told me.

A lot of anxiety drugs are also depression drugs and vice-versa, because anxiety and depression often go hand-in-hand in people. Most of the big name alternative medications that you'll find, such as Zoloft, are also dual anxiety/depression drugs. But since you say that you sometimes feel like you've started back at square one with the depression, are you sure that it's gone completely? Depression is cyclical.

And your treatment may be described as 'long-term' but that doesn't mean that it will be. So don't get too nervous. The medications will just relieve your physical symptoms so that you can work with more clarity of mind and body on the mental and behavioral aspects of the anxiety.

When I was prescribed meds for anxiety, I was worried about becoming addicted and being on them forever. In reality, I was only on them for a few months before I could go without. I realize that might be an unusually fast improvement, but it just goes to show that 'long-term' is variable depending on your progress.

Good luck.

Answer 3

I am not a proffessional but I can offer some advise. When I was in my teens I was given anti depressants which did nothing - no benefit and no side effects - it was like taking nothing even though I was on a high dose. I went off those and continued for many years without anything. Many years later I was told I suffered from anxiety not depression and I was put on Aropax. At first I felt unwell on them after taking 1/2 the first time so I cut back to 1/4 of a tablet and increased from there. Well, I have to say the best medication on this planet! I used to hate going out and constantly worried about my housework not being done. Normally my main priority was my housework but I was going out even to visit my in-laws and baby nephew before I had even done my housework. I even enjoyed grocery shopping! I am off them now as we are planning to have a baby soon and I am back to how I used to be. But, if you want to try anything I really recommend Aropax. I also have two close friends that were prescribed the same thing. One loves it but the other one came off it as she said she didn't feel herself on them. She said that in situations where she would normally be yelling she just didn't feel like yelling anymore. I would consider that a good thing but she didn't.

Answer 4

I am not an expert, but I suffer from anxiety, and antisocial and bipolar disorders. You need to see a psychologist not your family doctor. I have been on alot of different medications, and that is why I continue to see him once a month. I am on anxiety meds.(klonipin). I'm not saying that the effexor won't help, because I am not a doctor, but there are different medications that can be given for anxiety. I believe if you have a cold,,go to your family doctor,,,but with any kind of depression, or anxiety,and especially what happened in your past. Please seek out a psychologist A.S.A.P., I hope this helps you out, it did for me.....:)

Answer 5

Family Doctor's Experience:

Effexor is used antidepressant. It is used to treat depressive states, anxiety disorders and panic disorders.

Effexor affects brain chemicals that might become unbalanced, thus causing depression.

You must have given some details or reasons why he/she prescribed you this medicine. Do you remember what you told him/her-the doctor?

Providing more details will help in the future, like your symptoms, how long you had them, etc.

Answer 6

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 7

If you feel your doctor doesn't listen to/understand you, then you need to find another doctor. You should be able to ask him/her these questions.

Try WebMD.com for info about medical conditions and medications.