Hi so I’ve been actively seeking treatment for my anxiety and depression with one therapist since July. I have tried several antidepressants but she will not give me a medication for my anxiety. I keep asking but still no luck. My best friend thinks I need to go and find a new doctor. What would y’all do? Also I don’t really know how to navigate the situation of changing doctors without starting my journey over. (I have had anxiety issues longer than I’ve had depression issues).
Anxiously depressed: Hi so I’ve been... - Anxiety and Depre...
Anxiously depressed
Many antidepressants also treat anxiety to some degree. That's because they could often compliment one another. An antidepressant can relieve symptoms of both.
I'd like to add that anxiety meds neither solve the problem or help you. You can have anti-anxiety medication to make it stop, but once you're off them the anxiety is back on. A lot of patients need anti-anxiety medication for long periods of time with higher and higher dosages, in which case it's better to treat the cause of these feelings than it is to drug them away.
Has she given you a reason for not prescribing you any antianxiety medications? I'd first get a clear answer from her as to why she thinks you dont need them. Also, your antidepressant dose might be too low. Like others said, antidepressants can help with anxiety. I'm on Sertraline (generic Zoloft) and it has helped my depression and a bit of my social anxiety. However, I also have OCD and the Sertraline hasn't really helped with that yet because it takes higher doses to treat it. I'd see if a dose increase is possible. You're right, finding a new doctor will make you start from square one. Sure you can have your medical records sent to the new doctor, but creating that relationship is going to take some work. If you trust your current doctor, then be open and honest with her about how you are confused as to why she won't prescribe antianxiety meds and that your anxiety hasn't gotten any better.
I take amitripline
hello friend let me tell you firstly that i can understand what you are going through. as the saying goes ‘this too shall pass’. i think your therapist knows what she is doing. generally antidepressants work for both depression and anxiety. the thing is not all medicines work for everyone, so she may change medications. when you are suffering from anxiety, you could try something like watching relaxation videos which are available on youtube (just yesterday night, my thoughts were out of control and i listened to one such youtube video and fell asleep to it and woke up the next day feeling much much better). if it’s possible you can try some exercise like walking. if you have a pet then spending some time with them can also help. just remember: YOU ARE NOT ALONE.