I was diagnosed by my primary doctor with severe anxiety early last year, & I tried taking a low dose of meds (Paxil/Paroxitene), but it didn’t help and I didn’t like the side effects; I also briefly tried Wellbutrin and Remeron. My anxiety symptoms were interfering with my work, & I had to take time off.
My body is extremely sensitive to medicine. When I was taking Paroxitene/Paxil (only 5mg), I had racing thoughts, felt like I had no emotions, I felt fatigue, & I remember acting impulsively on some occasions. (The only “good” thing about Paxil is that I could sleep.) When I switched to Wellbutrin, I had suicidal thoughts, & I decided to stop taking the medicine altogether & I’ve been medication-free since July 2019.
I’ve now lost my job due to a lay-off, and I need to find another job/career. However, I still have symptoms of anxiety and I don’t know what to do. (I actually feel “fear” about looking and interviewing for a job; and, it seems that I’ve somehow lost my confidence, although I have over 20 yrs work experience).
What should I do? I’m scared to try antidepressants again, also kind of scared to go see a doctor again. I just want to be/feel normal so that I can work and be productive again.
Pls help.
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Cured2020
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There is a second generation of SSRI's which I personally found more helpful. But no matter which SSRI you take....it's always a matter of time...and we always want immediate relief. It can take weeks to kick in sometimes. It is also an issue of dossage and then and issue of which kind of SSRI would work better for you.
Have you tried CBT to control your thoughts more. I bought the dummies one and found it good - if I did it of course. Might help with the self confidence and not wanting to go back on meds.
Working on insomnia can be a huge help. Sleeping better can make a dramatic difference is cognitive issues caused by sleep deprivation. Will help you improve focus and lack of motivation and if you have lack of appetite and/or not eating regularly sleep can help with balancing hormones involved in hunger and appetite (unless you have a medical reason why your weight loss has occurred).
CBT like mentioned above might be useful as well. I cannot take meds for anxiety or sleep, but CBT-I (CBT specially for sleep) might be worth looking into as well.
Ok....Thanks. Fyi-I’ve been to therapists & if they were really practicing CBT, I haven’t seen any improvement with sleep, focus, or concentration. I’ve been given breathing exercises & it was suggested that I start journaling and writing down negative thoughts; but, other than that, it seems like when I meet with a therapist, we’re simply having conversation for an hour, & I have to pay for it.
Therapists and doctors, I've been through 5 to get to the one I have that is helping me with sleep.
I'd look at CBT-I as well for specific things related to your sleep issues. it addresses anxiety as well. I bought a program for 50.00 online, it helped better and at my own pace than my therapist did. Keep exploring, you'll come across things useful or not, but just getting a little help from here and there can build you with tools you like and are helpful.
U sound like me before I had a mental health doctor prescribed me Wellbutrin it had helped with the adhd side I can concentrate I can focus I can sit and do task it helped with a lot of stuff but not my depression we are still working on that like someone said it’s trial and error just don’t give up
Have you tried exercise? I find it really helps me with focus concentration and procrastination and insomnia. You could also try meditation. You could try this body scan meditation: youtu.be/CyKhfUdOEgs
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Talked to doc, now facing the weekend
I asked for understanding. 
Anxiety and depression
Living with Anxiety Disorder
