Undecided about trying different medications

[Heatherj89]

Hi all. So I have struggled with anxiety on and off for 10 years. I have tried Effexor, lexapro, celexa and buspar. They all made my anxiety way worse.... like can’t function worse. They make me not be able to sit still and I want to pace the floors lol. I hear so many people talk about their relief with medication and I just don’t understand why I can’t have that. Should I try another med and hope for the best? I mean, they don’t really even know how they work......but they help some people and not others. I’m just sick of the periods of being normal and then having a week where I have to white knuckle through everything. Like today I was in target and my vision was all weird and I felt super panicky. No reason at all. Just happens

[Agora1]

Heatherj89, it sounds like you may be in a withdrawal of the medications you have been on and tried over the years. That happened to me. I couldn't understand the pacing and the white knuckles, just as you are experiencing. Meds don't work the same for every one you know but once our brain has had a taste of medications, it just wants more and more to function w/o the fear taking over.

You had a true anxiety attack or a fleeting free floating anxiety sensation. Stores are notorious in giving us that feeling due to the lighting, the buzzing sounds of the light we can't hear, the stimulation of so much to look at overwhelms the brain and brings on this anxious feeling.

It may seem like it happens for no reason, but the reason is that our brain is constantly sending us negative signals from our subconscious. The "what ifs" can be a part of that trigger.

Several things can be done to help you. Have you read the book Hope & Help for your Nerves? by Dr. Claire Weekes? An amazing book on Acceptance being the key to ridding yourself of anxiety. I started with that years ago and also used Meditation/Deep Breathing more recently which helps immensely when in a store or in the throws of those awful anxiety symptoms.

First recognizing it as something no harmful, not a serious physical conditions and allow it to float past you as you start your deep breathing. Deep breathing is an amazing tool to use because it's always with you and no one would even realize you are have an anxiety issue. It will reduce the adrenaline rush, lower the heart rate and clear your mind.

This does not have to go on and on. There is an answer Heather. xx

[Heatherj89 in reply to Agora1]

Thank you for your response. It helps a lot. I have read the book and it has helped me a lot. I fall into the trap of hearing people talk about how meds were a miracle for them and it makes me wonder if I just haven’t tried the right one. It’s a rough road 😕

[Agora1 in reply to Heatherj89]

Hi Heatherj89, finding the right medication and dosage can be a difficult road to take. What works for one, doesn't for another. Also when on meds, therapy is an important partner in order to get to the root of the anxiety as well as learning how to address it.

When anxiety goes on for a good length of time (as it did for me) the key lies mostly in ourselves than the medication. Learning other modalities to use can be more helpful in the long run than medication.

Using Dr. Weekes book on acceptance is the foundation that you can build on in lessening your symptoms through meditation/deep breathing, hypnotherapy, visualization/imagery etc. Making sure you practice every day. Believing in anything you use also makes you stronger with the Mind/Body Connection. What you think is how you will feel. xx