See my ocd post....titled getting better w/ o meds

I felt the same way about starting meds. I knew the first few days were going to be rough so luckily since i have a strong family support system, my mom was able to be here with me for the first couple of days that i started them to help with the kids since my husband has to work. It was also helpful to get hydroxizine with my meds, which is a non addictive anxiety med that drs dont seem to have a problem prescribing. I took the hydroxizine with my meds every 6 hrs and it completely took away my anxiety, therefore i was just sleepy. That helped a LOT. Im only day 5 in of the meds but already feel the benefit.
Meds are not for everyone though, so if u really don't want to take them, don't force yourself. I just know that in my situation it was much needed. And i am SO glad that i did.
One last piece of advice....of you do decide to start a med google ONLY positive reviews and success stories of people who have tried the same one. It will give you a good mind set.
Best wishes to you.

Hi, please know that you are not alone, and your fears are completely understandable. I felt the exact same way when my therapist suggested I should consider medication. I was terrified, about how it would make me feel, if it would make me more anxious, cause me to feel physically sick, or change my personality/mood. I took it into consideration for a while, but ultimately decided it was worth a try due to how severe my anxiety was becoming. For me, the medicine took about four weeks to kick in (That is when it is supposed to but it varies person to person), and the first few days I felt slightly nauseous and shaky (similar to having too much caffeine). However, my mood/personality did not change whatsoever negatively and once it started to kick in, I felt like a happier less paranoid version of myself. The results for me have been incredible, although I still struggle at times with coping with my anxiety as some weeks are more stressful than others, I find myself not being as oversensitive to things, and my mind does not overthink as much, as it is easier to control my thoughts, which helps ease my anxiety. All medications are different and people react to different medications differently as well, but personally from my experience they have been a game changer. Do not feel pressured to take medication, but at the same time if you're anxiety is crippling and causing you to not enjoy day to day activities and make yourself constantly unhappy, to me it is worth a try. Hope this helped!

Don't be afraid. With the proper doses you will be fine. It just takes a little time for the body to adjust.

LOL shocking catch 22. You need the meds, to lose your fear of taking meds. You can't take your meds till you've lost the fear.

Well. What can we do?

Can you take them in powder form? What about injections? Trust me: in a couple of days on them, you won't care. It won't be an issue. What happens when you get the medication is you finally become incontrol of you. Things become easy. Decisions become logical and straightforward.

You don't become a dead thing: you become a sensible and relaxed thing. this is feckin fantastic as far as I'm concerned. Nothing beats it. I stayed on meds for 2 yrs and learned a whole new way to live, and I can't believe other people are just born like this and have it so easy.

It was great to live that way. And I've come off the meds and learned how to function this easy new way. So it's bloody amazing, really it is. It's worth finding a way around this issue.

I went for years without medication. Only recently found out my mom has been taking them for years! It is an amazing difference and I really don't even have to take a high dosage. It has made a major difference in my life--I think you will notice a difference in a very short period of time. good luck!

I had the same fears that you are experiencing. It's a hard decision to make. If the anxiety is so bad that you are desperate for some relief, then maybe you do need them. I am not sure if I could have made it without them. The first one they gave me, I tried for a couple of days...called my doctor and said this is NOT going to work. I cannot afford to be a zombie. She then put me on something else that worked better for me.
If you DO decide to take them, plan for it to reduce your stress. Start it on a weekend, when family or friends can be around so you don't have to worry if it makes you too slow. If it makes you slow, give it a couple of days and see if you even out. If you don't, then don't be afraid to ask for something else. As was said above, different meds affect people differently. What worked for me may not work for you. I have been on Effexor and Buspar for almost ten years. I am much better now, and in truth, afraid to go off of them, so if you feel like you want to tough it out without taking them, go ahead. When you reach the point where you are desperate for relief, you will know. Hope that helps. Warm Hugs!!