Hi Lovely, I started takin meds right away. By the time I sought help my PTSD, Anxiety and depression were quite extreme and my psychologist immediately referred me to a psychiatrist. I take both an antidepressant, and anti anxiety drug along with a drug for pain and antidepressant. I feel quite sedated most of the time., I do have tremors sometime and I have problems focusing and trying to concentrate on tasks.

I hope the Prozac helps you. Best wishes.

I also started taking medication right away. I understand what you're saying, but if this has been going on since February, and it interferes with your daily life, then trying a medication is generally speaking, a good way to go. Hopefully it will help you.

You could also try talking to a therapist, psychologist, pastor.

I have been taking anxiety medications daily for over 20 years. If you do take them, you will be okay on them. I hope that they help you. Prozac is a good drug. It has been around forever. Good luck, best wishes.

I can relate to the driving. I have driving anxiety. I never use to. It started around 5 years ago. I would sweat and shake and get dizzy and couldn't concentrate. It's gotten better. I just try to push myself and do it alittle at a time. I hope you feel better and the medicine helps.

First and foremost don't doubt yourself or feel like you are a lesser person than you were before because you don't feel as good as you used to. What "you were" normally wasn't enough either. Therefore you have never been enough for yourself and may be a bit too critical on your self. Take a step back and cherish who you are. What you have accomplished and if you have accomplished nothing then be honest to yourself. You CAN take control of yourself. You are more than you believe to be. Try this. Go on youtube and research Wim How and the Wim Hot Method. Practice it and be persistent and consistent with the practice. It will give you self empowerment and give you a sense of control. Everything you are experiencing is an experience that you yourself chose when in your spiritual state before coming into this life. You will learn and you will overcome. Stay strong and know that you are amazing and capable of much. Push yourself and know when to rest and relax. There is an imbalance within you and since you did not listen to your intuition, now your body is telling you to make some changes. You yourself KNOW exactly what you need. If you need assistance feel free to message me. Im here for you. Many of these people are as well. At the end of the day the medication isn't a bad thing or a sign of failure. It is a sign that you want to feel better. Your WANT is the most important thing.

I have had anxiety all my life. I don't think the newer drugs was around
when I started therapy. I was very grateful when I was prescribed Paxil.
It helped calm my mind enough to function and be able to work on controlling my anxiety. It also made my OCD a little better. I am extremely grateful
for the drugs. I don't have side effects. But everybody is different.

Hi Emily,
Im going thru the same issues as you. (I still don't drive because of my fear) and this month everything has come crashing down on me ..I had a panic attack the beginning of the month and it's been awful since .. Ive had the tense choking sensation in my throat pretty much all month as well ..I can't eat because I'm afraid I'm gonna choke and idk how to overcome it. My Dr just prescribed me Lexapro and I'm on the fence about taking it ..she also gave me hydroxyzine which has kinda helped calm me down .. but it's only something like Benadryl .. how do you get over the choking feeling ?

Welcome to the anxiety board at DS.

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

Separate your thoughts, and work through your feelings for each sentence. Writing it out will help you sort through the patterns.

Best wishes as you find your better balance.

Hey Emily. I started a different medication (sertraline) 15 months ago. By that point I'd already been having anxiety, low mood and physical symptoms (dizziness etc.) and been on a waiting list for talking therapy for 8-9 months. Things were getting worse and couldn't wait for treatment any longer. I had been reluctant to start meds, but I was glad when I did. I actually felt "different" straight away. I had less inhibitions, and felt I could express my thoughts more clearly. I felt like "my normal self" again. (Also my pupils were massive, but that settled after a few days!)
I've been on sertraline for 15 months now. The one thing the GP never really told me was how difficult and slow the process of coming off these medications is after long-term use. Every time I've tried to stop, I've had withdrawal symptoms. But I've learnt that there is no need (and certainly no rush) to come off meds, just for the sake of being "meds-free". The sertraline is helping to keep me well, and not harming me or causing any bad side effects. Being on medication is not in any way a weakness or failure. It's a medical treatment for a condition like any other. If you can keep that in mind, it should take the pressure off yourself. And hey, if you try the meds and don't get on with them for whatever reason, the GP is there to support, advise and maybe stop or try an alternative. If you're only on it for a short time, it is easy to stop again.