Anxiety help

[Cupcakeapple]

I have suffered with bad anxiety since I was a child, but have always been apprehensive about medication. I have taken CB therapy before and learned some coping mechanisms that I found helpful. But since the last lockdown has started it’s gotten really bad. I wake up anxious straight away in the morning and it lasts all day. I’m considering going to the doctors and asking for medication but just want to know what people’s experiences have been on them?

 

[Youre a wizard Harry]

Hello from a fellow anxiety sufferer
I have been on antidepressants for anxiety since May 2019 and they have made a huge difference. The first few weeks were hard (increased anxiety along with some initial side effects!), so it does take a while to start working but it is worth it.
Having said that, there are different types of antidepressants available and you may have to try a couple before you find one that works for you. I did have a relapse at the end of last year and had my dosage upped.
I have previously taken beta blockers for anxiety but these didn’t help.
Best of luck- as I said, it may take a little while to feel the effect but for me it has been a life changer I am happy to answer any questions you might have.

 

[Cupcakeapple]

Hello from a fellow anxiety sufferer
I have been on antidepressants for anxiety since May 2019 and they have made a huge difference. The first few weeks were hard (increased anxiety along with some initial side effects!), so it does take a while to start working but it is worth it.
Having said that, there are different types of antidepressants available and you may have to try a couple before you find one that works for you. I did have a relapse at the end of last year and had my dosage upped.
I have previously taken beta blockers for anxiety but these didn’t help.
Best of luck- as I said, it may take a little while to feel the effect but for me it has been a life changer I am happy to answer any questions you might have.

thank you so much! I’m nervous about going to the doctor about it. I feel like I’m going to have to kind of plead my case to get them but I don’t know I just feel nervous about it

 

[Youre a wizard Harry]

thank you so much! I’m nervous about going to the doctor about it. I feel like I’m going to have to kind of plead my case to get them but I don’t know I just feel nervous about it

I felt the same, I was so nervous.
I think as you’ve had CBT and tried other coping mechanisms they may be more likely to agree to try you on medication (that’s what my GP surgery seem to do anyway- refer to talking treatment first and then offer medication if no improvement).
The doctor I saw actually asked me what I wanted to try which gave me the opportunity to ask for medication.
I have also found some GPs are great when it comes to mental health and others not so much. I will always ask for a particular doctor at my surgery if I have to go because of mental health.

 

[Cupcakeapple]

I felt the same, I was so nervous.
I think as you’ve had CBT and tried other coping mechanisms they may be more likely to agree to try you on medication (that’s what my GP surgery seem to do anyway- refer to talking treatment first and then offer medication if no improvement).
The doctor I saw actually asked me what I wanted to try which gave me the opportunity to ask for medication.
I have also found some GPs are great when it comes to mental health and others not so much. I will always ask for a particular doctor at my surgery if I have to go because of mental health.

ok thank you I think I will brave it and try make an appointment tomorrow

 

[JoanieDee]

Hello! I have suffered with anxiety, ocd and depression starting in my teens (I’m 31 now) and after doing various forms of therapy throughout my 20s and still feeling terrible, I went on 20mg of Citalopram and they were life changing! I definitely had that ‘feeling worse before feeling better’ period for a week or so which is fairly common and some side effects like brain zaps and waking up at random hours of the night but it’s definitely worth sticking it out. I was on 20mg for about a year and a half and very slowly weened myself off with the help of a dr over about 6 months. Still feeling great now I’m off the medication but would 100% go back on if I needed to and would recommend!

 

[Cupcakeapple]

Hello! I have suffered with anxiety, ocd and depression starting in my teens (I’m 31 now) and after doing various forms of therapy throughout my 20s and still feeling terrible, I went on 20mg of Citalopram and they were life changing! I definitely had that ‘feeling worse before feeling better’ period for a week or so which is fairly common and some side effects like brain zaps and waking up at random hours of the night but it’s definitely worth sticking it out. I was on 20mg for about a year and a half and very slowly weened myself off with the help of a dr over about 6 months. Still feeling great now I’m off the medication but would 100% go back on if I needed to and would recommend!

Ok thank you!do you mind me asking in what way did you find that they helped ?

 

[Annim]

I'm on Citalopram and they have always helped with my depression but not as much with anxiety. I might need my dosage upped though. I would definitely recommend though. The first two weeks I yawned a lot, even when I wasn't tired. But that went away. The only side affects I seem to get is night sweats.

 

[JoanieDee]

Ok thank you!do you mind me asking in what way did you find that they helped ?

Of course I don’t mind.
I did a lot cbt therapy before going on the citalopram, so I knew what I needed to do to make myself feel better, but with my anxiety and low moods I felt physically like I just couldn’t do it.
The citalopram generally just reduced the low moods and anxiety, so much so that it felt like a huge weight had been lifted and everything felt so much easier. I could just think more logically and clearly.

 

[Prince fan 1999]

I'm really struggling at the moment. I know I need to go.back into my citalopram but whenever I start up again,I don't sleep for 2 or 3 days

 

[Cupcakeapple]

Of course I don’t mind.
I did a lot cbt therapy before going on the citalopram, so I knew what I needed to do to make myself feel better, but with my anxiety and low moods I felt physically like I just couldn’t do it.
The citalopram generally just reduced the low moods and anxiety, so much so that it felt like a huge weight had been lifted and everything felt so much easier. I could just think more logically and clearly.

Ok thank you I feel like I need that.Everything is such a big deal in my head and becomes a big stress even little things such as meeting up with friends or stuff like that I get into a big stress about

 

[JoanieDee]

That was 100% me. I agree with the post about finding a good dr too. I phoned up my surgery and asked if there was anyone who specialised in mental health and I was given an appointment with a lady who has worked with me over the last few years and she is just amazing.

 

[Mountrushmoor]

Hi! Another anxiety sufferer over here. I’ve had anxiety since I was 6 years old, diagnosed as general anxiety disorder, health anxiety and panic disorder. I have been on and off medication since the age of 21 (I’m 32 now). Citalopram for me is life changing and allows me to function like a ‘normal’ human being. I’ve also tried sertraline but in my experience in coming off these medications, sertraline was horrendous and I would not wish that experience on anyone. Citalopram was much easier to wean off. I’ve also been in therapy 3 times, my longest stint being six months of CBT. Learning about anxiety and why I think like this was a life defining moment so I do a lot of reading, self help books etc. It helps me to understand from an evolutionary process why my mind is stuck on worry mode! CBT helped me identify the anxiety and know when it’s worsening as well as managing those intrusive thoughts. We need to get rid of the stigma attached to medication, there is no stigma attached to any other medication that people need for any other body part to function the way it should so why is there for the brain? Other things I find help are: self care, so important. I now work for a mental health charity and one of the things they teach us before caring for others is caring for ourselves first. Take time to look after you and find some quiet time in each day (if you can!). As I’ve said, self help books are great. There are lots on Amazon. Mind over medicine is a great book which was recommended to me by my last therapist - eye opening!! Exercise (admittedly I don’t do enough myself) but endorphins are the real deal lol. Even just going for a walk - that’s all we can do now right! It’s cheesy but I also do journalling and practise gratefulness and I write poems as a form of creative expression. I still have anxiety and at present I am on medication but I have accepted this is me and this is what it takes for me to be happy and healthy. Hope that helps and take care x

 

[lozzapaloozza]

Hi there. Fellow anxiety and OCD sufferer here I originally went to my GP who prescribed me beta blockers then Sertraline but I found that I was fine only when there where no triggers. My triggers are seperation from my partner, leaving the house alone to do simple tasks i.e going to the shop, meeting up with friends and also getting new jobs and learning to drive are the main ones for me so I avoid them like the plague but imo medication only works when the triggers aren’t there so as soon as something set me off it was as if I wasn’t on anything. What helped me was counselling to deeper understand the thought processes, reading The Speakmans book! Also writing a diary whenever I felt anxious, implementing “worry time” in the day, distractions like what can you see/smell/hear and other small coping mechanisms. I am so much better now from all these tiny things over a long period of time! Also coming off birth control helped alot too, focusing on a more balanced diet and exercising too.

 

[Cupcakeapple]

Hi! Another anxiety sufferer over here. I’ve had anxiety since I was 6 years old, diagnosed as general anxiety disorder, health anxiety and panic disorder. I have been on and off medication since the age of 21 (I’m 32 now). Citalopram for me is life changing and allows me to function like a ‘normal’ human being. I’ve also tried sertraline but in my experience in coming off these medications, sertraline was horrendous and I would not wish that experience on anyone. Citalopram was much easier to wean off. I’ve also been in therapy 3 times, my longest stint being six months of CBT. Learning about anxiety and why I think like this was a life defining moment so I do a lot of reading, self help books etc. It helps me to understand from an evolutionary process why my mind is stuck on worry mode! CBT helped me identify the anxiety and know when it’s worsening as well as managing those intrusive thoughts. We need to get rid of the stigma attached to medication, there is no stigma attached to any other medication that people need for any other body part to function the way it should so why is there for the brain? Other things I find help are: self care, so important. I now work for a mental health charity and one of the things they teach us before caring for others is caring for ourselves first. Take time to look after you and find some quiet time in each day (if you can!). As I’ve said, self help books are great. There are lots on Amazon. Mind over medicine is a great book which was recommended to me by my last therapist - eye opening!! Exercise (admittedly I don’t do enough myself) but endorphins are the real deal lol. Even just going for a walk - that’s all we can do now right! It’s cheesy but I also do journalling and practise gratefulness and I write poems as a form of creative expression. I still have anxiety and at present I am on medication but I have accepted this is me and this is what it takes for me to be happy and healthy. Hope that helps and take care x

Thank you so much for all of those helpful tips

I suffer mainly with social anxiety as well as general anxiety. Does anyone else here suffer with social anxiety

 

[Mountrushmoor]

Thank you so much for all of those helpful tips

I suffer mainly with social anxiety as well as general anxiety. Does anyone else here suffer with social anxiety

The funny thing is I posted that then worried it was too long or that it sounded condescending or that I went off on a tangent and didn’t answer the question properly anxiety hey!!

 

[Cupcakeapple]

The funny thing is I posted that then worried it was too long or that it sounded condescending or that I went off on a tangent and didn’t answer the question properly anxiety hey!!

No it was so so helpful thank you so much omg yes over thinking absolutely EVERYTHING I can’t believe you are so confident in work that is so admirable Especially in such a people oriented job. But I am the exact same I stress going to a shop or post office or anywhere really in case I bump into someone I know and have to make awkward small talk which I am TERRIBLE at all I am thinking about it ways I can end the situation.

My life would honestly be so much better if I didn’t have social anxiety it is the one thing I would change about myself. It is honestly such a daily struggle and a constant battle

 

[Moolo]

Another anxiety sufferer here - for a long time ive avoided anti depressants (I really have no idea why) but reading this makes me think I need to revisit that.

I have therapy for mine and it really helps - sometimes my brain gets quite jumbled with all the things im worrying about so just having someone to talk it through with helps so much.

My main anxieties are health, and social anxiety - it's exhausting and I dont think anyone can understand just how debhabilitating (I cant spell that lol) it all is. I get a lot of physical symptoms with mine which only makes the health anxiety worse as well.

The social anxiety is a lot to do with how I look - if ive put weight on or dont feel good about myself, I think that's all people are thinking about. As I've got older I have got better at dealing with this - I care a lot less now about how I look compared to 10 years ago but it's still something that affects me and will probably be an issue when we are go out of lockdown.

Not much to add to this but I would recommend therapy and speaking to your GP - mine just threw some propanolol at me which I did not find help so you might need to go back if you're not happy with your first app xx

 

[legsbumsandtums]

I avoided medication for years. Gave in to meds after my dad died & it was the best thing I did. I take sertraline, took me 3 attempts to stick with them, I felt AWFUL for the first couple of months & the insomnia was something else but I'm so glad I stuck with it!

 

[Saddlesoap]

I started Sertraline in May 2018 and, honestly, it was the best thing I ever did. I kick myself now for resisting it for so long.
I am a different person, for the better. I'm only on a low dose, so I still 'feel stuff' but I don't cycle up and up like I use to. My husband and colleagues saw a huge difference in me.
I tried beta blockers first and they did help a little, but didn't have a lasting effect.

Word of warning though, starting them was a rough ride. I was not expecting it to be as bad as it was. Stupidly I was on a mini break and it did ruin it a little.

I avoided medication for years. Gave in to meds after my dad died & it was the best thing I did. I take sertraline, took me 3 attempts to stick with them, I felt AWFUL for the first couple of months & the insomnia was something else but I'm so glad I stuck with it!

I didn't get insomnia and my initial side effects only lasted 7-10 days. Felt so sick from 5am-12pm though, ok by the afternoon.