Is anyone on meds for anxiety?

[NJtwinmom]

I used to take Zoloft for my panic disorder and stopped taking it about 6 months ago. At least when I was on Zoloft I could drive most places; there was only one highway I wouldn't drive. Now I won't drive almost any highways. Plus, now I have anxiety all the time, not just when driving. I feel like there is a knot in my stomach most of the time. I have a history of depression and anxiety disorders in my family and I'm wondering if I should consider going back on Zoloft or some other med just to calm me down enough to be able to do this program. Of course, I'm afraid that then I'll just go through the same thing again when I try to go off the meds or are meds just something I have to accept because of my genetic predisposition to anxiety/depression? I ask because my brother has generalized anxiety disorder and has suffered with it all of his life. He's tried going off meds so many times only to end up in horrible depression with crippling anxiety where he couldn't function. I guess I'm wondering if I'm like him and that meds are just something I have to do. I really hate meds though; I don't have really bad side effects from them or anything; I just have never liked the idea of being dependent on meds. I'm confused and just don't know if I'm being stubborn by not taking meds or if I'm giving up by starting them again. Any advice anyone? Please?

Thank you.

[tracy78]

Have you asked your Dr. their opinion?

[LizVA]

I'm on Zoloft (100mg) for generalized anxiety. It has taken care of all my anxiety and panic symptoms--except for my driving phobia. However, my psychiatrist says that she expects it to eventually make it easier for me to drive. I agree with you--I'd prefer not to take meds at all--but after almost 3 years of feeling anxious all the time FOR NO REASON, I am happily taking the Zoloft and feeling normal for the first time in years. My doctor (who specializes in anxiety disorders) says that she has patients who have been on Zoloft (and other similar drugs) for years and she thinks that's perfectly acceptable since it helps them cope and has few side effectis and is not addictive. I too am genetically predisposed to anxiety (although not depression) and have accepted that I need the Zoloft since I know that positive thoughts, meditation, and any number of other anti-anxiety techniques are not going to make me feel better and are not going to take care of that constantly present knot in the stomach. Lots of people are genetically predisposed to a number of chronic conditions like high blood pressure, for which they take medication. Why should we be any different? In addition to the Zoloft,I am doing a number of things to take care of anxiety such as yoga, aerobic exercise, massage, walking in the woods with my dog, etc. but see the meds as a necessary addition to these activities.

[coffeegirl]

Guess I'll join the club too... I've been on some form of anxiety medication on and off for 8 years. I started it when I was 17; I am now 25 and take Lexapro regularly. I've been on some different kinds, and done the stupid thing where I took myself off of it once or twice, but always had to start back up. I know better now - never try to take yourself off medication, always talk to the doc first and work out a plan. I sometimes hate the fact that I need this drug just to feel normal, but knowing how I get when I miss one or 2 days of the meds, it's just not worth worrying about changing that. I can practically feel the chemical swing in my body when it's withdrawing, and I get emotional and moody, and extremely irritable. The medicine just evens me out. I fully believe these problems CAN be physiological; people love to play devil's advocate with me and question whether it's really chemical or if it's just in my head, it's become a routine, or I just don't do enough to keep my energy and endorphins up. As people who actually take these medications, we all know differently. There are many of us out there that live with these problems, but we don't chose them.

My anxiety medication also helps me with everything but my driving fears, and although I don't think that will change, hopefully the program will work and finally knowing there are other people out there like me. Best of luck to you as you overcome your anxiety!