You aren’t going crazy. You have been thru a lot. It’s just how you processed the hardships and your thinking process that is probably the big problem. That doesn’t mean you are a bad person or a failure, it just shows you you need to make some changes in your thinking and inner beliefs. Anxiety is nothing more than the manifestation of our inner fears and our own self expectations. Pristiq is what I take and it does help some but it doesn’t change your thinking/belief system. That’s something we ourselves have to do. Therapy, simple relaxation meditation, acceptance are some of the tools I use that has helped me transition into recovery. Research and learn about anxiety, but be careful what you read. Not all info out there is reliable. And just know you aren’t alone in this.

Thank you. I've read the book the body keeps the score which is all about exactly this, and I've had therapy a few times but it hasn't been very great. I'm trying a new person tomorrow. I'm listening to meditation tapes and stuff. It just freaks me out when I can't sleep all night. I was on Paxil and it was working fine but genetic tests show that it's not really supposed to be that great for my genetics so I'm trying to switch to Pristiq but honestly I felt better before when I was on Paxil So confusing. Right now every single minute of the day is pretty horribly painful and I almost can't stand it.

Most antidepressants take up to six weeks before you feel therapeutic benefits. My own experience with Pristiq was a couple weeks. I happened upon a site called it’s only anxiety. It explains anxiety very plainly and offers help in a technique called acceptance. There is a book from the author that goes in more depth. I ordered it, should get it next week. I found this information very plausible, and plan to incorporate it into my own recovery plan. The main point is by accepting the anxiety instead of fighting it or avoiding it causes the anxiety to dissipate, to loose it’s effect on us emotionally, and to gain better thinking patterns. I see where this technique can work in all aspects of life, not just for anxiety.

Welcome to the anxiety board at DS.

You've taken the important first step in writing it out.

Anxiety is natural. Anxiety is a helper. To get it back within normal range takes work in breathing, in relaxing, and in releasing all the held in words, thoughts, emotions, feelings, and finding the better balance in the moment.

Best wishes as you find your way to what works best for you.

Thank you both I'll try that site

Hi Juniper,

If you were doing okay on the Paxil, maybe you should stay on it.

I know about those genetic tests for medications, and I was thinking of trying that test, too. Not sure if I would believe what it says though. Most people who are on anxiety medications have never done the genetic testing. For me, I would probably do it just to see what it says. But if my current medication works pretty well, I would just stay on it.

Switching from one medication to another, weaning off one while adding the other, will be a transition of possible more anxiety during this time. Trying to be patient will help. I know it's not easy to be patient during this. But your body will even out in about 4-6 weeks of taking the new medication.

Keep in contact with your psychiatrist regarding your meds. Like I said, if the Paxil was working pretty good... why not stay on it?? Never mind what the genetic testing says. Just a thought. Best wishes.

I totally hear you! The funny thing is ever since I got the genetic test I've been taking these methylated so late supplements and vitamin B 12 and vitamin D and a new anti-depressant and I feel worse than ever. Honestly I feel like just giving up and going back to my medium dose of Paxil which maybe wasn't the greatest thing in the world but at least I was functioning perfectly fine for years in years in years. Thank you for validating me. I really appreciate you!

Did you take a blood test to see what your Vitamin D levels are? Only supplement if your blood test says you are low on Vitamin D. You can get the Vitamin D blood test from your regular GP doctor.

Yeah, I don't know about that genetic test. I might take it someday, but only "for fun", if that makes any sense.... I don't know if I would take it seriously. Sounds interesting, but for me, I don't know if I would do what it recommends. But that is just me. There can be false positives too, on that test.

But also, I am just a practical kind of thinker. And if Paxil was helping me, I would just stay on the Paxil. You could experiment with the Paxil, and take a bit more to see if that helps you even more, but otherwise, if it helps you function enough, then I would stay on it and not switch meds (my opinion only, you should do what you need to do, and run it by your psychiatrist first).