I can certainly see where drug commercials would make anybody anxious because they are so sensationalized. The "symptoms you need to ask your doctor about" are spread over such a broad spectrum that they would apply to ANYBODY.

I let a commercial for Abilify convince me that I needed it and my doctor (well, MD's nurse practitioner) agreed and put me on it. That was a HUGE mistake.

Anyway, I digress. But good for you for cutting the cord (so to speak) with cable. I always fast forward through the commercials, but if it's a live show, I always have books and magazines handy to flip through during the commercials, or I use that time to visit the bathroom, get more water, run in and check e-mail, etc. My anxiety gets triggered more by annoying songs during commercials, so I try to avoid them.

I have to laugh at the commercials. How stupid do they think we are that they want us to talk to our doctors about an ad we saw on TV?. The doctor knows all about these meds and if he or she wanted to try one on us, they will decide. We are not the doctor!! They bother me too but I just ignore them. and try to laugh at them as well. Hugs GB
P.S. And remember, it's all about MONEY

Gramybear has an excellent point. If you (bother to) actually watch the commercial, they really are hilarious. Especially the ones for the "male enhancement" pills. Another one has Blythe Danner and I'm always so transfixed by her ever-changing hairstyles from scene to scene that I don't even remember what the advertised product it!

I completely understand. I had to learn how to cope with my paranoia when I saw commercials or anything I thought was potentially harmful. I've been on a lot of meds these commercials are for and they scared me so bad I stopped taking them for a while. Which really wasn't a good idea. I'm on medication that now works like a charm.
The worst is seeing lawsuits over medication. "Call this number if you have ever taken" whatever drug it is. Those really scare me.