Anxiety Support Group

Anxiety is a physical condition marked by intense and persistent feelings of distress, fear, angst or dread. General anxiety caused by routine day-to-day stresses usually passes quickly and is experienced by almost everyone at one time or another. However, such feelings that linger over time and are very difficult to cope with, and which lack a clear cause, may indicate...

23,095 Members

43,242 Posts

2 Online

taylexie85 03/20/2015

I'm going to the doctor tomorrow, I have an ear infection. My mom is going with me and she wants me to talk to my doctor about getting on an SSRI.
Is that wise? My nerves are shot over it. I've never taken a medication for anxiety, in the 8 years I've been dealing with it and have overcome it once for a year or so. Here lately I've been very depressed, partially because my anxiety is back and I've been finding it difficult to feel happiness or interest in anything I'd once had. My anxiety is also bad, I had a full blown panic attack when my mom informed that my grandma was coming to visit me today(I didn't tell grandma not to come, lol. I enjoyed spending time with her)

What are your experiences with SSRIs? I'm scared of the side effects and if it will change me for the worse. If I do get on one, I'd use it with the intent as a helper to help me help myself and continue working on my positive thinking and CBT. What should I do?

Thanks

Canaan 03/20/2015

Hey T, I'm sure you've done some reading on it, but just in case this is pretty interesting that may give you a different thought. I know there are some very mild dosages to help as needed if you decide. Good Luck, I know your doctor can explain and suggest some workable options to put you at ease.

http://www.webmd.com/depression/ssris-myths-and-facts-about-antidepressants

taylexie85 03/20/2015

Thanks, Canaan!

Reed31 03/20/2015

Since you're seeing the doctor, you may ask for the MTHFR gene mutation test and your folate levels. The doctor will likely say it has nothing to do with anything but folate is crucial to neurological functions and once I learned my levels were low (due to the gene mutation), and started taking the right sort of folate, my anxiety and depression (and irritable bowel and arthritis) went away completely.

Most doctors are unfamiliar with this, but it's been researched for decades. The Mayo Clinic is now starting to test people as it contributes to heart disease.

Here's more information: http://www.jillcarnahan.com/2013/05/12/mthfr-gene-mutation-whats-the-big-deal-about-methylation/

Razor91 03/20/2015

I was on Lexapro which helped ease my anxiety greatly during my teenage years,now I'm on Prozac and find that quite useful.

wildflowers44 03/20/2015

TayLexie,

I totally understand your fear of medication. It makes sense to fear things that are unknown to us, and since you've never tried a medication before, it is scary.

Maybe look at it as sort of a trial...maybe you could try out a medication for a month or so and see how it goes. Then once you have some more information about how it makes you feel/whether or not it helps, you will be in a better, more informed place to make a decision whether you'd like to continue taking it. Who knows? It may really help you. The only way to know is to try it out.

Best of luck tomorrow!

eshaw 03/20/2015

Having been on and off SSRI's and other anti-depressants for years I have found them to be extremely helpful. Not always, for me it has taken years to find an effective one. It is working now and extremely helpful for my depression. Ask the doctor for one that will not increase your anxiety, however. The only way you will know if it can help is if you try it for a month or two. Sometimes depression is short term, and other times long term but getting chemicals in your brain balanced can really alleviate symptoms. Don't be afraid to try but also be aware to taper off of them if they aren't helping or else your symptoms can worsen. Good luck tomorrow.

taylexie85 03/21/2015

Thanks everyone. It was a bit difficult getting to the doctor today, very panicky and did end up crying in the waiting room from my nerves, so embarrassing but oh well. Doctor prescribed me Zoloft. I am going to give it a try. I'll report back later!

Hugs to you all!

wildflowers44 03/21/2015

Thanks for the update, TayLexie85. You were very brave to have gone to that appointment...definitely not an easy thing to do! And I am proud of you for trying the Zoloft. Just try to stay calm and think of this as a trial run...either way, whether it helps or it doesn't, you will learn some valuable information and be able to move from there.

Really hoping it helps bring you some relief. Take care and definitely do keep us all updated!

Canaan 03/21/2015

Proud of you T.

As most have said, it takes some time, everyone is different, and keep your doctor posted on any concerns. Sometimes it takes a few times to get it just right.

Wishing you all the best.

Join the Conversation