Anti anxiety Medication

[dashboardchic19]

At my session yesterday with my psychologist he suggested I look into maybe getting on an anti anxiety medication. I am already on Zoloft. I thought Zoloft treated anxiety and depression. I find it helps my anxiety and the depression is much better. I don't want to be on a bunch of medication. I like Zoloft and would rather learn skills that help my anxiety rather than add on more meds. Any advice? I had very bad anxiety on Wednesday. I have a fear of the weather and the weather was horrible. There was a tornado warning near my home. I was at work and my child was at home with a babysitter. I panicked. Anyone else have a fear of the weather? How did you get over it? I check the weather obsessively and I know that is not healthy.

[ARESS]

I was on Zoloft for quite a while but needed something stronger... I'm now on Wellbutrin and treating me much better. Maybe ask your doctor if it's something that can be good for you too.

[Hidden]

Hello, you asked several good questions....but think you should call your psycologist and pose the same questions to him/her. That's the one piece of your puzzle missing. Also, a psycholgist cannot prescibe this medication, as I recall, as he is not a M.D.

May want to ask these questions of the actual prescribng M.D. too.

Sometimes fitting the missing piece of the puzzle can provide the answers to your concerns.

Let us know what happens.

[Flea856]

I am on 100 mg Zoloft right now and feel its not doing enough. I am hoping to get into a psychiatrist soon in order to increase my dosage. I read that people with high anxiety disorders need to be on a higher dosage of it. I totally can relate to not wanting to be on a bunch of medications. I honestly don't like dealing with the side effects medication gives me. I found that I can deal with Zoloft just fine. I do have a fear of the weather. Most particularly a fear of tornados. So my anxiety is heightened on days I think a tornado is possible. That being said, I feel your reaction to the weather the other day was a little justifiable. You felt in danger due to terrible weather and your child being home without you. I could understand why you panicked the way you did. It set off your fight or flight response. I guess what I could suggest is reminding yourself that you are not in immediate danger. Just get through the panic attack and then look at the situation as it really is. Then have a plan of action in case real danger comes. Remember that bad weather usually moves through quickly. I was also told by a therapist, that the things we worry about the most don't usually happen. So try to have faith that the weather will move through quickly and you and your loved ones will be safe. What helps me stay a little calmer is watching the radar and checking notifications so I know I can be prepared if a tornado comes. I usually don't start with that until I notice the weather changing badly. That way I don't set myself up for a panic attack until there is actually something to be concerned about. Talking about it to someone you trust helps also.

[dashboardchic19 in reply to Flea856]

I may need a higher dosage or something. I do watch the radar but it is obsessive. I check multiple sources constantly days ahead of time and check the weather over and over again while it is going on .

[TarnishedHalo]

As someone who works in disaster preparedness and response there may be some things you can do to alleviate your weather anxiety :).

Usually local weather services offer Storm Spotter classes. If you take one of these classes you'll learn about how tornadoes form and how to recognize them forming. This may help by allowing you to go outside and see for yourself what is happening instead of relying on someone else.

Another thing that may help is to have a plan in case disaster does strike. Designate a meeting place in case the phones go down. I know from experience that most people tend to migrate to local hospitals after a tornado hits. It doesn't matter if they are hurt or not, a lot of people feel like the safe place to go is the hospital. I would strongly suggest to avoid that area. Designate a church or another safe place to meet if the building you're both in is damaged. If you're area is not damaged STAY IN PLACE. Traffic on the roads means people who need help are not getting it quickly due to grid lock. Trust me.

The last thing is to prepare for 72 hours without food, water or electricity. Have enough water, food, medicine and batteries for 72 hours. I have a bucket for each family member that has 30 day supply of emergency food in it. We live in the deep south where hurricanes and tornadoes are a yearly concern. Google Emergency Food Pail and you'll see a variety of choices including how many days. After living through Hurricane Katrina I'll never be caught without at least a weeks worth of non-perishable food and water. Don't forget your pets!

I've found when I'm prepared for something and have a plan calms my nerves about the "what if's". I hope that makes sense. Like I'd think, "What if we have another Katrina and go without power for a week?" Then I can answer myself, "Well, you have food and water so the only thing to worry about is letting everyone know you're ok". It may not work for you, but I thought I'd share :).