RANT

Ugh, meds really never ever help me at all. They always make me feel worse. And now after my recent partial hospitalization I'm on new meds and increased dosages etc. and all I feel is very very weird. I always go into it feeling optimistic but then the side effects start and it isn't worth it at all. Lately I've been completely housebound. Going outside feels like a bad acid trip to me, to the point where I've started screaming in my boyfriend's car because everything looked and felt so scary. It's so bad that I'm finally applying for disability because I can't keep a job for more than 2 weeks. I don't fight my symptoms but I can't ignore them either. They're so debilitating and completely real to me.

[Jeff1943]

Your anxiety is overwhelming you and you need respite. You need the right medication: if the meds you're taking at the moment are not effective and/or the side effects are unacceptable then tell your doctor you need to try an alternative and keep trying until you find a med that brings you peace of mind. Do remember that most anti-anxiety meds can take around 3 weeks to fully kick in. Meds that give immediate relief like diazepam and xanax can only be taken for a limited time.

Are you being too dismissive when you say 'ugh, meds really never ever help me at all, they make me feel worse'?

[Hidden in reply to Jeff1943]

Hi Jeff. Thanks for the reply as always. (: the thing is i've been on 15+ different meds each for at least a month at a time. Xanax is the only thing that works.. and even thats pnly sometimes. Im in therapy and Im accepting my symptoms but I CANT just go out and do things with them sometimes because they are so debilitating, even if I do accept them.

[Jeff1943 in reply to Hidden]

Can I just say, acceptance isn't meant to work immediately, you practice it despite the bad feelings, you go through your anxiety not try to ward it off by avoiding it or going round it. It can be done. Sorry if I've said this before but Claire Weekes' first book 'Self help for your nerves' will bring you understanding, reassurance and a route to revovery. Available from Amazon. I wish you well in the future, you won't always feel like this.