Hello all. If you’ve seen my other posts you will know that I suffer from GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder) and that I also have very bad health anxiety and I believe that I’m a hypochondriac.
I wanted to know if medications and/or counseling has helped anyone. I don’t have any medical insurance, so I’ve been going to a mental health clinic and I’m thinking about getting on medication and doing some counseling.
Honestly, I was and still am a little hesitant on taking any meds for anxiety because I have a fear that I will have very bad side effects or that it will make my anxiety so much worse. I’ve been trying for my 19 years of life to just push myself through this, but it’s getting to the point to where I don’t think I’m strong enough to fight this on my own.
Please share any experiences with any kind of medications, counseling, or just anyway that you personally cope with anxiety. Thank you for reading this. ❤️❤️ I hope that you’re all having a lovely day and kicking anxiety in the butt!!
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destinymichelle
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Hello! The best medication I have used so far is Zoloft, or Lustral. Both are the same. However, therapists haven’t helped me improve at all, but that doesn’t mean you won’t improve with the use of their help. I realized that taking large doses of Zoloft increases the anxiety and physical symptoms for me, meanwhile a small dose actually helps. Quite surprising I know, my point is, smaller doses are usually better since anxiety is actually a side effect of Zoloft! But that’s different for everyone.
There are other medications I have tried like Cymbalta, oh boy were the side effects painful. It affected my blood pressure and cardiac health which isn’t ideal for me since I have health anxiety, lol! I tapered off of it and went back to Zoloft, only to notice that the physical symptoms de-intensified.
I really don’t recommend that you take Cymbalta, if you have health anxiety like me, but really, you shouldn’t be taking any medications without a doctor’s opinions!
Thank you so much! Oh no, I won’t be taking any medications without a doctor or a professional prescribing them to me. I was just curious if it actually helps! I have very bad health anxiety which is why I’m so scared to get on any medication because of side effects
Then Zoloft might be great for you, it doesn’t cause much side effects, maybe a few minor ones like drowsiness, and nausea but those go away after a day or something. No problem by the way❤️
The things that helped me over the years are or were
1 dare book by Barry McDonough
2 the anxiety guy on you tube
3 I had a very good therapist for CBT who understood and put me at ease this is important the first therapist I had was nice but could not relate to my symptoms I was giving her more therapy than she gave me lol.
4 books by doctor claire weekes.
5 talking and not bottling things up.
I am not cured I still get physical symptoms but rarely panic . It's over three years since I had to go to a and e or phone an ambulance.
Celebrate any success no matter how small and be kind to yourself.
I am a 4 year sufferer of GAD as well and have also struggled with the idea of giving in to meds to. And I have tried meds for a very short time frame.
Just wanted to share my YouTube story about it if you wanted see me speak more about this.
Hmm!! I dont know why. It shouldn't be unavailable. But here's a link to my channel. Hopefully this will work. And you can see all my videos if you'd like. But thank you anyway for attempting to watch.
Hi,I hope you are well. I myself suffer from GAD,panic disorder,health anxiety, bipolar type 2 and not long ago I suffered with a phobia of choking. I have been on multiple medications and yes they helped for a while then the effects lessened. I had heard from so many people that CBD gummies or oil did wonderful things for anxiety so I tried it and oh my goodness I was like wow. I take the kind without THC so there is not effects of getting high,I am know tapering of my medication and taking CBD gummies, I'm doing great so far. I am not pushing you to do anything you would not be comfortable with but it is worth a try if you are not against CBD.
I’m so glad that you found something that works for you! That’s amazing!! ❤️ I cant take THC because it causes my anxiety to be soooo much worse, but I’ve tried CBD droplets and I liked it! I’ll definitely look into CBD gummies! Thank you so much
I dont blame you hun, I don't t do the THC either. Straight CBD gummies are the best,they are helping me so much,I'm almost to myself again. I wish you the best of luck and please give me updates on how it works out for you.
Start cognitive behavioral therapy, they will show you different ways to manage your anxiety and help you achieve calmness. Also try guided meditation for just five minutes and you’ll see improvement. Also do tai chi exercises in the morning to enhance mind body connections. I don’t recommend medication, you are putting something unnatural in your body which may cause side effects and also you don’t want to have to depend on drugs for the rest of your life. Unless, you truly can’t function and are so desperate then yes see a doctor and get medication of course. And as for your anxiety now, have a plan. If something is troubling you, figure out what’s the worse that could happen and what is the likelihood of it really happening. Then be prepared for it or know what to do if it happens. When you have a plan beforehand you will have more confidence and be less stressed about it. Good luck 👍
Hey destinymichelle! I’m a little late but I take medication and am in counseling. Both have helped significantly.
Before I looked into SSRI’s or benzos, I decided to try a more natural route. This led me to finding an amazing gummy that contains L-theanine, GABA, and lemon balm. Ltheanjne and GABA are both naturally occurring amino acids in the brain that help to inhibit neuron activity. As we know, anxious thoughts are unnecessary electric signals going down neurons and to the rest of our body. So by inhibiting these signals, these two amino acids help to restore rational thinking by quieting down the central nervous system. The gummies are called “goodbye stress” by olly and if you live in the United States, you can buy them at target or Walmart. You can also just buy l-theanine or GABA as a supplement form. They are a great natural alternative!
As for counseling, it is VERY effective because it helps you to expose those anxious thoughts. Like some other people said, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is known to be the most effective type of therapy.
I also use a lottttt of prayer and journaling. That’s the main thing I attribute my slow but sure recovery from anxiety to.
Hi my so i've got a phobia of taking meds i feel like my heart isnt strong enough to cope with them always feeling weak my full body muscles head like i've got heart failure i'm suffering fatigued but the main concern is my heart feel like it going to give up had high blood pressure 160 sys 125 dia dont get out to do much as honestly so tired after one job & i need to sit down been asking drs for a full blood count test for months but no joy 3 months down line i'm still no better they are blaming every symptom i have on anixery getting me down now & how can i take meds with A phobia that my heart might pack in
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