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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lance139169 03/30/2011

I am suffering from both depression and anxiety, which I understand is pretty common. I have been seeing a psychologist, and a psychiatrist for several months now. I am taking Wellbutrin and Seroquil as prescribed.

I think that the depression is somewhat lifting, but the anxiety is getting worse. This has me very concerned. Concerned enough to ask my doctor yesterday if he would prescribe something more effective for my anxiety. I have read here on DS that many people take a benzo for their anxiety with positive results, so I asked him for benzo's. He refused to give me a prescription.

Here's the problem. I told him in my first session that several years ago I drank heavily. I don't drink at all now, and have not had as much as a sniff in years. Furthermore, I don't ever even think about drinking and certainly do not crave it.

So I guess what I'm asking is whether or not there are some of you out there with a similar problem, and If I should not be so forthcoming about my past personal life.

Thanks for your help.

lovemycoffee999 03/30/2011

why don't you research benzo's. i have not done this, but it seems like they would be very addicting, and have horrible w/d symptoms. your doc prob doesn't want to set you up for failure. there are prob better meds out there w/ less side effects.

deleted_user 03/30/2011

If you can possibly avoid benzos then avoid them! They end up adding to your depression even if they temporarily relieve the anxiety. Your doctor might consider lexapro with the welbutrin. Lexapro works better for anxiety than depression and is often paired with welbutrin. Everyone is different and you may have to experiment with a few different meds before you find the right combination. Good luck. I have heard that buspar is non addictive and is sometimes given in place of the benzos.

deleted_user 03/31/2011

You should ask your Doctor why he decided not to give you the medication that you're looking for. It's a legitimate question and maybe he has a reason that's unrelated to your past.

kevinwk81 03/31/2011

Hi Lance, addiction, addiction, addiction. That's all these doctors seem to care about. I have both depression and anxiety, mainly anxiety and I am on Celexa, and the benzo Klonopin. I have been on Klonopin for a few months now and it seems to help with my anxiety. I would find a different doctor if I were you since he seems completely unwilling to prescribe a benzo. That is ridiculous in my opinion. I also disclosed to my psychiatrist during my evalulation that I had been addicted to alcohol in the recent past and he did not seem to have a problem with prescribing the Klonopin (Clonazepam) to me. Good luck and hope you feel better.

~Kevin~

deleted_user 03/31/2011

Hi Lance!

While I have no experience with any prescribed medication for anxiety or depression, I just wanted to pop in and say congratulations on kicking your alcohol addiction!! That is a very hard thing to over come. Have a nice weekend and I hope you find the answer you are looking for.

deleted_user 03/31/2011

My doc told me that sometimes seroquel can cause anxiety. Maybe you could ask for a med change? I know it's hard. Hang in there!

deleted_user 03/31/2011

I will never take benzos. I know how addicting they can be. I am afraid to take anti-depressants for too long! But thats just my health anxiety. I have taken a ntaural approach to my anxiety, diet, exercise, mediatation, no caffeine, no alcohol, therapy. However, I am on Zoloft. I don't want to be, but for right now it keeps me together. There are also natural calming remedies, St Johns Wort is one of them. I loved it! It also helps regulate your sleeping patterns.

iloverabbits 03/31/2011

I think he is a great doctor. You should give him a big kiss for refusing to give you a benzo. They were made to be used for no more than two weeks. They are very addictive. The withdrawal is far, FAR worse than that of heroin and symptoms of withdrawal can last for years, literally. You will even experience withdrawal symptoms during use since your body needs more and more to avoid side effects. Benzos are not a good option for people with anxiety. Go to benzobuddies.org and read about benzos. It is a benzo withdrawal support group.

deleted_user 03/31/2011

You cant say benzos are worst then heroin. It all depends. Yes benzo withdrawal can be one of the worst to come off of but thats if your not sensible or you abuse it. Obviously the longer and more frequent your on it the harder it becomes but you can learn to mix benzos with your medication without the nightmares ppl post.

deleted_user 03/31/2011

And no I am not on them, the docs probably wouldnt prescribe them to me :'(

deleted_user 03/31/2011

Just thought id let you know, i tried wellbutrin before ( i do not suffer from depression, only anxiety)... and it made my anxiety go THROUGH the ROOF. everyones different but consider having your meds checked... I take Buspar & ativan... and i have to agree that sure you can get addicted but many meds are addicting to our bodies including antidepressants.. you just have to use it sensibly and when you are ready to go off you need to taper. Its not for everyday use, its good as needed for panic & severe anxiety.

deleted_user 03/31/2011

If you do the research, people that truly suffer from anxiety/panic tend not to abuse benzos. I have carried xanax for 10 years, and never was addicted. They were more like a safety blanket.
You need to maybe see a psychiatrist, some docs are scared of benzos, but many people have had a lot of success on them. I am one of them. They help me thru the times when all my natural coping methods do not work.

iloverabbits 03/31/2011

Nay, you don't have to abuse benzos to become addicted. They were not meant to be taken long term. They are not a safe drug by any means for long term use.

lance139169 03/31/2011

Thanks guys, I really appreciate the advice. I should add that I was on Fentanyl patches for two years. Got off of them, no problem. Been on Vicodin a couple of times, no problem. The doctor I was referring to is a psychiatrist. His objection to giving me a benzo is strictly because I admitted to being a heavy drinker a few years ago.

I guess that I am just honest to a fault, and never should have mentioned my past alcohol use.

deleted_user 03/31/2011

I took diazepam for about 10 years for a completely unrelated condition, chronic vertigo related to inner ear damage from SCUBA diving. I could quit taking it when I wanted, in order to see if the vertigo would come back. It usually did within a couple weeks. The last time I quit taking it, it never did come back, so I never started taking it again. I had no withdrawals, no cravings, nada.

It's really unfair to say that everyone will become addicted or dependent on it or will have terrible withdrawals. Apparently about 50% of people do become dependent and need to taper off slowly. Addiction is something completely different; that's where you keep increasing the dose in order to get high.

I agree that there are often better meds for anxiety that can be used safely on a long term basis. But for many people, they can be quite helpful for a variety of conditions, including anxiety.

I think getting another doctor is a good idea.

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