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...

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Taking Xanax everyday

mamadylanforever
mamadylanforever

Hi everyone -
Just wanted to get some opinions.  Since my sons passing and my anxiety skyrocketing and having panic attacks every day multiple times a day I have been taking Xanax on a daily basis.  I haven't talked to the dr about long term effects.  


I feel like a failure having to rely on this medication to take it away why do I feel so ashamed I know it's part of my abusive traumatic past etc. but I'm also worried about long term effects and whether I'll have to be on it forever.  


just a side note my panic attacks cause very very uncomfortable physical symptoms that would make me not be able to work sleep eat function and the med helps me to do this why am I beating myself up so much???


I feel so alone and defeated.

GirlinCalif
GirlinCalif
I'm very sorry for your loss.

As I wrote in your previous post... I was wondering if you have seen a psychiatrist? They are knowledgeable in medications for anxiety. panic attacks, depression, etc.

A psychiatrist can work with you to develop a medication regimen that works for you. They can advise you if taking Xanax daily is a good idea for your situation. It's not necessarily a bad thing to take it daily, but there are other medications that can be taken daily, such as SSRIs, that aren't as addicting, and have long term relief.

Also, going to therapy, or a bereavement group, might also help with your anxiety and the loss that you have experienced.

Wishing you all the best.
Community LeaderMid
Mid
Welcome to the anxiety board at DS.

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

Take time to write in a journal every day. This will help you sort through the words, thoughts, emotions, and feelings as you find your better balance.

A panic attack is your helper - it's anxiety's way of telling you your body and brain is overwhelmed and attempting to calm you by moving your muscles, changing your brain thoughts, and helping you to breathe evenly as your balance comes back naturally.

You're not alone. Sorry for your loss.
hyperpgal
hyperpgal
you are not alone--and you sure as huck aren't defeated--you are fighting--taking medication--I am not sure why that is so hard for people with mental health problems to accept (I'm one of them!.) if you had cancer, no one would frown on you taking the meds you need to function-get better---anxiety is a different type of cancer--and it can suck the life right out of you---if a tiny little pill can help you function--why not? the only thing scary about is that they can become physically addictive---but you can ween off when needed--without needing rehab...so you are no kind of junkie...

I would talk to your dr about long term effects.
mamadylanforever
mamadylanforever
Thank you everyone for your replies, it makes me realize I’m not alone I’m this battle when I tend to think a lot of the times that I am. I do see a psychiatrist and I think I’ve relayed the issues I have with other meds etc that I will get into more. Does anyone else take Xanax or another type of benzo on a daily basis? You are so right
jrivera13
jrivera13
I take Xanax mostly everyday for my severe anxiety. Sometimes I take half and sometimes i take a full .25 which is very low. My mom told me I should take more cause I do have depression and sometimes I like to try to calm myself down with out taking one but these pills help.
AmberViolette
AmberViolette
I only have Xanax now for emergencies. I was on Xanax for 2 years in high school, 1mg, 3x a day. I was able to slowly wean off of it eventually. You will be able to do that too, one day, when you’re starting to feel better. Xanax is a miracle drug in my opinion, and if it’s needed, it’s needed.
mamadylanforever
mamadylanforever
Were you taking the one mg 3 times per day for a long time if you don’t mind me asking. My dr has me on way too low of a dose so I’m looking I was on 2 msg a day for a long time and now he has me on only .25 twice per day. Which is just not cutting it. It definitely is a miracle drug esp for me right now I just w the anxiety feel like I’m using as a crutch but I’m not I desperately need it and am so grateful it is there and helps. The antidepressants and other psych drugs are SO scary to start and the trial and error w them can be exhausting. Thank you again for your replies.
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