I have severe social anxiety and some GAD and have been taking venlafaxine/effexor since I graduated college. By far the best outcome of any psychotropic Ive tried. I can go to work and carry on normal conversations with people without falling apart. My own thoughts and feelings arn't torture. It was awful before. but.... for a long time ive been feeling that I also dont have any passion for life. I dont have any hopes or expectations for the future. I dont have any interest in activities outside work (I go on walks, read, and knit sometimes but thats about it.)
With all this time off I finally figured it out. When Im off work, at home, and there arnt the constant stress triggers, my anxiety medication just makes me depressed! I need the meds to go to the bank or the grocery story or out with a friend and not be miserable all the time, but at home alone i'm an empty shell with the effexor. Ive tried reducing the dose while at home but it mostly seems to be either/or. Its so frustrating to need the medication to be comfortable doing anything and then once Im comfortable enough to do it I dont care about it anymore! I find I want to sleep more and more to escape the cycle.
Ive been researching/practicing meditation off and on to manage anxiety. I guess I'm wondering if anyone else has had some success with meditating when medication wasnt cutting it and what that process has been for them. Oh, I have also done talk therapy for 1.5-2 years.