My PCP would not prescribe it for personal reasons (this was a few years ago), and he referred me to a PSY who sure had no problem prescribing it (he could not believe that my PCP would not at the low dosage I was prescribed by my previous PCP). For a variety of non-medical issues, I am now on PSY #4 and he also has no problem with it. Also, just an FYI - Xanax and its generic cousin are available in ER versions, so that can really cut down on the total number of pills required per day. My current doctor prefers the ER version because it cuts down on abuse, and they are more effective.

Part of the problem you are coping with is "unknown".

You have a past history with the "fear" you are facing, and your anxiety is working overtime to express that fear physically.

In order to be effective, the medication is prescribed as a temporary measure to help control the anxiety.

The doctor who prescribes the medication has to be comfortable with prescribing it, and by referring you to someone who is able to prescribe medication, that gives a positive solution.

The one thing I know that will help is finding the strength you have, because one thing about anxiety, it requires strength to have.

Best wishes, and know you are not alone.

I too, have been dealing with debilitating depression and anxiety for over 20 years. And yes....it is VERY hard to find a doctor that prescribes this life-saving medication, even at low doses.

The reason is because, this med is so highly abused, that doctors are petrified to prescribe it for fear of law suits. BUT, although it is highly addictive, as long as one takes it as prescribed, it is a powerful miracle worker in my opinion.

I take rather high doses due to my condition and situation. I am prescribed 3 mg a day...which makes me "medically addicted". In other words, if i were to stop it abruptly, I could have seizures and possibly die. BUT, my doctor, who has had me on it for over 8 years, knows that I take it as prescribed and I thank God that he does. Without it, I really dont know if I could survive.

I do hope that you are able to find a doctor who is not to scared to prescribe it for you. As you stated, this is what works best for you and you know yourself well enough to know that. Good luck and best wishes to you!

Thank you all for your wisdom, I pray for courage to deal with everything. One day at a time, I don't feel like I will need to take the medicine for life. But as for situational anxiety it really does do wonders, I defiantly have to go to counseling and it is emotionally exhausting, it takes work and it is much easier to take a Xanax..that is why I use the smallest dose as I don't wAnt to be a zombie! But doing life without it is hard right now. I will just keep putting one foot in front of another and enjoy my kids they are the motivation for me to keep going!

Hi 4given1974,

Your title to this topic caught my attention. I just wanted to give another side to the use of medication for anxiety and depression.

I too suffered emensly from anxiety (and in my case depression) also. I tried everything to rid myself from the awful feelings, loss of self esteem and self confidence. My life was to the point were I truly believed I could not go on. I went to my doctor and immediately walked out of there with a prescription for Xanax. I went home and took the pill...Hallelujah...I felt amazing. Ahhhhhhhhh....all my problems were solved...or so I thought.

When the medications wore off....I was right back where I started!!! I was devastated but it was the only help....again...so I thought!!!!

My story does not end there. To tell you the truth, this is where my story actually begins. I realized that the medication was not the answer for complete recovery...and complete recovery was what I wanted. I wanted my life back. I wanted to be strong and confident and healthy. I wasn't going to settle for just masking the pain....I want the pain GONE!!!!

I read this book that referred to a thing called "outliers"....I had never heard of this term before but it made me think. Outliers refers to a person or thing that differs from all the other members of a particular group. I was told at one point that the best I could hope for with recovery from my anxiety and depression was maintanence. I had to find someone who was not part of the norm.....I had to find someone who overcame anxiety and depression. I had to find an outlier. Once I changed my search from learning to "handle" anxiety to finding how to overcome it....that's when life began to change for me. Finding others who had overcome anxiety was not as hard as I though. The revelation that others had successfully overcome this condition that I thought i would live with forever was like winning the lottery!

I too have successfully overcome my anxiety and depression and I have been free from pain that it caused me for over 5 years now. I know for the first time in my life that anxiety and depression will never again be a part of my life. I now completely understand what it is and what I was doing to purpetuate it.

I am starting a 12 week group post that explains what I learned and what I did to overcome anxiety and depression. There is a post currently running on the anxiety home page under the heading "How to overcome anxiety and depression". Check in on that page if you are interested.

Here's a hint....those awful feelings of anxiety and depression are key to helping you overcome this condition. Week three will explain how and why.

I once was in your shoes so I know how truly awful it is....believe me I know!!!! Here's the thing though....I also know that life does not have to be that way....I have become an outlier. Believe me...there is nothing special about me....I just found others who were outliers too and followed what they did. You can too!

By the way I had anxiety for about 37 years....it's never to late to learn how to get over it....I'm living proof of that!

One special point I would like to make....I'm not against medications. They totally serve a purpose when a person is non functional. They can be lifesavers!!! It's just that the folks that are prescribing them (at least from my experience) do not give any tools to help the individual to completely overcome this condition while taking the medications. The people in my life that sent me out the door with medication never gave me any tools to become an outlier...not that they were incompetent...they just didn't know how.

I thank God that I ended up with a therapist at the time that told me that I could overcome it completely and then I ended up with many authors, researchers and scientists that I was able to piece together the way how!

I would love nothing more then to share with anyone who feels lost or hopeless right now the tools that I found that have helped so many others to completely overcome anxiety and depression.

Hope to see you Monday!

My best to you!

I am here to testify that AdventureGuide helped me (I am not paid to refer her, I'm just a true believer and also want to help others).
I know the agony of anxiety and panic attacks. They consumed my life for 24/7 and I felt so alone and had no place else to turn.

I am doing things I never thought possible and truly love my life.
I have learned so much and I owe much of my recovery to AdventurGuide (I had to do the work). I am forever grateful to be off meds and for AdventureGuides sage advice in giving me the keys to freedom....FOR FREE. I had spent enough with meds, devices, pamphlets, more meds, and other snake oil devices.
It does take work and some time on your part to make it work, but it is well worth the effort. I hope you decide to free yourself from this debilitating disorder so that you can live life on a broader and happier scale.
Wishing you and others the very best!

Thanks for input! I am always open to check into anything new, I know I have some tools instead of using them I get focused on anxiety instead. Courage to face my fears, I know also my strength come from the Lord and ultimately he can restore and heal! I am glad to be on here and I know I'm not alone in this! Enjoy your weekend