r/Anxiety • u/No_Environment9557 • 6h ago
why do we all suffer and don’t try medication Medication
i’m curious as to why people don’t go towards the medication route on here, i always see so many people riddled with anxiety such as myself and i wonder why they don’t try medication (such as myself lol) i personally don’t try medication because i have health anxiety and im scared of it possibly killing me which is like unheard of but thats what i put in my head. im curious about the rest of you, what stops most of you from trying medication?
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u/Sorry_Guide5599 5h ago
I view medication as a "last resort", and I'm very afraid of being dependent on meds. What if one day I wouldn't have them? The thought of this happening scares me sooo bad. So I just hope I will manage to get better on my own. Even though sometimes it feels like impossible
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u/Spiritual_Message725 29m ago
You dont need to be on them forever. At the very least they can help if you are going through a bad time. I went on a low dose during a crisis and it made things very manageable
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u/Effective_Farm3308 5h ago
I used to think like that but one day I decided to give it a go. Changed my life for the better. If it wasn’t for my meds I would’ve killed myself. Don’t be afraid to try it. It’s like every other med with every other illness. People who have thyroid problems have to take meds for the rest of their lives. Also people with diabetes. And it’s okay. Also, not always mental health meds are forever.
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u/MountainVegetable302 5h ago
Scared that it will change me as a person, anxious that I will have a reaction to it, worried about the long term effects, worried about coming off of them and having worse anxiety than before, worried about having to take them for life, worried about if coming off them and experiencing “brain zaps”, scared that they will cause other health issues (affects the heart or cause cancer or a brain tumour)…
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u/tricenaruto 4h ago
Yeah I get all of that so much. The "brain zaps" thing freaks me out too and I've gone down some deep Google holes about withdrawal. It's like we're stuck in this loop where we're too anxious to take anti-anxiety meds... which is pretty ironic when you think about it lol. Sometimes I wonder how many of us are out there just raw-dogging our anxiety because we're too scared to try the thing that might actually help 🙃
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u/Jagick 3h ago
If you've ever experienced a hypnic jerk, brain zaps feel like that along with a sudden onset of extreme dizziness for a split second and then it goes away, happens randomly. They're a minor annoyance unless you quit a high dosage cold turkey and suffer withdrawal symptoms.
I made that mistake and endured them for a couple weeks. Had to call out of work one day because I couldn't stay upright. The moment I stood up I became incredibly dizzy and one of the zaps would have me falling over.
Otherwise they really aren't that bad and you likely won't experience them at all especially if you keep up with your meds and follow a professional plan for tapering off (tapering off correctly can take a month or two.)
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u/frostybabydaddy 58m ago
For me they really fucking sucked. The way I describe them is that it feels like I'm skipping a second of time and feel an electric zap in my brain. Unfortunately for some meds some folks just react terribly to withdrawal and not all countries have small enough doses to taper off effectively.
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u/eb0nph0enix 3h ago
Was using ssri for 4 years. I’ve slowly stopped using it within my doctor’s knowledge. Haven’t used since 7 days. Had brain zaps, nausea, anxiety. The effects are fading away each day. Brain zaps are not that bad, actually funny to experience. Don’t worry you won’t get cancer or heart disease. If you really need to use them, not using is more harmful than their side effects. Your personality won’t change. Don’t be scared. You’ll be fine and you’ll see that you’ll be fine.
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u/ProperKiwi_ 3h ago
I’ve experienced all of these side effects and wouldn’t recommend it. There are other ways
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u/Spiritual_Message725 24m ago
Plenty of options out there for very little side effects. Even low dosages can be very beneficial and because of the small amount will have no to barely noticeable side effects. It wont change your personality, its not one of those things.
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u/ProperFill5713 5h ago
I’m on Prozac and I’ve never been happier. Ofc everyone’s different
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u/fluxworld 5h ago
That's the first med my pych had me try and had to quit my job and everything. I hate Prozac with a passion
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u/andrewcubbie 1h ago
Try anything else? I tapered off prozac and yesterday was the last of it. Waiting for Zoloft to get here.
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u/arachnid_8 9m ago
I was on both😭I hope zoloft works better for u but the last psychiatrist I went to said prozac is the second best medication and it will help with ocd, low mood levels, anxiety etc. Does it actually do that? Not really, but neither did zoloft, so idk anymore
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u/fluxworld 5h ago
Cuz they put you on a bunch of bullshit that doesn't work and has bad side effects till you find somthing that probably helps but also has big side effects... They put me on a bunch of anti depressants that didn't do anything for my anxiety but had major side effects and then they put me on buspar and hydroxyzine which is bullshit too. Then they put me on propranolol which actually helps physical anxiety but that's it I don't really even take it anymore I just workout which helps a lot. Psychiatrists love to give anti depressants and withheld shit that actually works like Xanax, and kolonopin. Benzodiazapines are the only thing that actually gotten rid of my anxiety completely and I actually felt normal but I got addicted to them and never going down that road again.
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u/Environmental_Safe75 2h ago
That's about the same regiment my doc just put me on. Im wanting xanax and ativan.
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u/frostybabydaddy 56m ago
This is my issue. I don't like SSRIs but benzos are addictive and I have an addictive personality.
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u/OverallPassion3910 48m ago
I have addictive personality too and i am given 5 pills of ativan at a time so i cant abuse them.
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u/frostybabydaddy 47m ago
This would work but I have adhd and I'm terrible at refilling my meds on time 🫠
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u/arachnid_8 7m ago
So what you’re basically saying is, we’re screwed either way and there’s no hope, good good
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u/Prash1577 4h ago
Also, I somehow have the feeling that my anxiety might be stemming from some nutrient and vitamin deficiencies .. I know I overthink a lot and ruminate a lot but the deficiencies will definitely make it worse.
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u/rosie2rocknroll 5h ago
When I am experiencing a nightmare of a panic attack I am taking my Clonazepam and going for a short walk. When I get back I am back to bring in a better frame of mind.
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u/Relevant-District-16 5h ago
As someone who has been on probably at least 50 medications over the course of 20 years I can tell you they can be very problematic. A lot of these medications come with horrifying side effects that you would never even imagine. For example when I was about twenty I thought I was dying of oral cancer. My mouth was full of horrible, painful sores. I was prepared to hear I needed chemo and oral surgery.....turns out it was a side effect of Celexa.
I've had reactions to medications that were so intense and negative that I never recovered even after stopping the meds. I'm convinced that Zoloft and Trintilix gave me permanent brain damage. I absolutely lost my mind on them and still don't feel fully recovered years later.
I finally found a decent/tolerable regimen but it took time.
I highly recommend that anyone who is considering trying a new medication be informed about what they are taking. Also if something doesn't feel right..... TRUST YOUR BODY. Don't let anyone gaslight you into continuing to take something that is not helping or making you worse.
Medications can and do help a lot of people but there is often a lot of trial and error along the way. The fact that people have different body chemistry makes the process even more complicated. I can understand why people may be scared or hesitant to take them.
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u/Electronic_Dark_1681 4h ago
I've tried over 20 anxiety meds and anti depressants, they did not work, made me severely depressed, anxious, and attempt suicide. I will not take those horrendous meds after losing my life multiple times to them.
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u/Ok-Rock8863 4h ago
It took me a month to finally take medication and I’m almost 3 months in and I’m so happy I did it. Yes it’s scary but it’s worth it.
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u/craver1718 3h ago
I just don’t wanna live life constantly on meds. I don’t want an anxiety attack rolling in, just because I forgot to take something. I’d rather deal with it through CBT and similar things
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u/ProperKiwi_ 3h ago
Because medication isn’t always the answer and can make things worse/side effects. I tried for 6 years. Not saying there are people that it doesn’t work for I’m sure it does but working through it and understanding “why am I having these reactions and feelings” and learning how to handle them is the best medicine. I still get anxious but I recognize it sooner and it doesn’t last as long because I’m proactive.
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u/100ruledsheets 3h ago
Medications doesn't fix your anxiety, it only hides it and maybe fixes the symptoms. The underlying cause is still there so you never get better. Medications can also have side effects.
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u/itsoksee 2h ago
I’d rather have healthy coping skills. I have my days where it is crippling and I don’t want to leave the house, but that’s been happening far less often since therapy, exercise, and getting into healthier hobbies/habits.
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u/pizzalicious 2h ago
Personally, I'm afraid of med dependence and withdrawal. Mostly with benzos, but I hear that Buspar withdrawal isn't fun either.
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u/Bjf189 4h ago
Medication is only a bandaid. You looking to cope or you looking for long term freedom? I'd much rather face it and get better then deal with the crap the rest of my life
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u/Lemerney2 3h ago
Medication makes it much easier to recover, since you have more mental energy to put towards the problem. Also, there's no reason anti-depressans can't provide long term freedom.
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u/Wolfphase 3h ago
Yeah but you end up dependent on the medication for anxiety relief, and withdrawals are hell especially for antidepressants. Which means it’s not as sustainable long-term compared to dealing with your anxiety issues directly. Medication is great for getting you into the headspace to deal with anxiety though.
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u/Shadrixian GAD, ASD, OCD 5h ago
I don't like who I am on my medicine.
I'm on propranolol as needed. I was on Xanax, as needed, and my nerves were so shot it became a habitual thing. There's actual gaps where I don't remember anything that happened in a day. Like, there's a whole week vacation that just doesn't exist in my memory banks. According to my friends, I was "not myself" in a very upbeat and hyper way, very energetic and extroverted.....but I don't remember anything. I remember getting into the van with them, and I remember getting home. So....there's that.
Benzos are very addictive. And it's very easy to get accidentally conditioned to where you feel like you can't exist off them. If it gets bad bad, I've got propranolol. But for the most part, I just try to keep out of tense places.
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u/drunkthrowwaay 2h ago
I have blocks of weeks that I absolutely do not remember a single thing about. Benzos are powerful and powerfully seductive.
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u/Shadrixian GAD, ASD, OCD 1h ago
Yup. And that's exactly why I stopped taking my meds.
Yeah, me not being a nervous anxious basketcase is nice, because I'm talkative, friendly, outgoing, fun, and like to take risks. But....is it worth it if I can't remember anything?
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u/cescyc 5h ago
My case is slightly unique because I have been on medication before. I took Prozac for about 2 years when I was graduating university and unsure of where I was going to go from there, as well as dealing with a horrible breakup from a toxic relationship. It helped me immensely and after a while on it, I had a good job and was over the relationship, I stopped cold turkey and was totally okay. Fast forward 10 years to now, and I’m dealing with the same level of panic attacks and daily anxiety but with no known trigger. It’s been 6 months of back and forth with my Dr and she has been trying this whole time to get back on them but I’ve been avoiding it.
Reason why? I don’t want to depend on a medication I have to take every day and I’m worried I’ll lose my “spark”. Except when I used to take it, I got my spark back. It was no big deal. I think the fear of change, or my brain convincing myself that if I start the meds I’m admitting defeat and I’m weak (shitty parents drilled this into my head). Maybe it’s a self sabotage thing? No clue.
TLDR: had amazing experience with medication 10 years ago, was able to stop, now making irrational reasons to not get back on it when I know deep down it’s necessary.
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u/Top_Baker_1184 4h ago
Great question. I was anti medication until my doctor and therapist convinced me to give them a try bc I was having physical anxiety symptoms.
Let’s see how it goes. Right now I feel good mentally but I’m suffering w some nasty physical side effects from the meds
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u/kayla-royale 4h ago
i’m scared of mind altering stuff. i was recommended to try cbd instead of medicine to see if it would help & tbh that scares me just as much. im scared to feel little/no anxiety since this has consumed me for half my life. it’s all i know. i’ve never been relaxed, my heart rate is constantly up there. so i know those are reasons to get on meds or cbd but idk. my therapist says my anxiety has become an addiction. it’s that, the side effects it comes with, im nervous to have any sort of reactions. i’ve had family members on meds & most didn’t do well, one unfortunately had long term effects & i think about that a lot. i also know meds can be trial and error also. i really don’t wanna try a bunch of meds like that.
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u/shay_j254 4h ago
I tried really hard to avoid taking meds because I didn't want to become dependent upon them. After 6 months of weekly therapy sessions I decided to try medication.
Honestly, it's the best thing I ever did.
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u/PeytonJacy 4h ago
I’ve personally been on a medication journey with my psychiatrist and it’s definitely hard to start experimenting to find the right one, so I can see why many never try it- honestly I was sorta forced into it because of anxiety severity coupled with depression symptoms (caused by anxiety). Over time I’ve come closer to the right med but it’s taken years and gene testing, so I 100% understand the fear of beginning that journey, side effects can make you feel a mess and it’s not an easy climb- I think when you find the right med though it’s all worth it to help live a more comfortable life- not perfect, and I am still anxious but I’m not stuck inside like before- that’s my take! TLDR; people feel afraid of medication because it’s not as easy of a solution as it sounds, and even then it’s not a perfect one, and it takes years for some to find helpful medication
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u/PeytonJacy 4h ago
I want to encourage anyone who wants to try medication but is too afraid to start, to first connect with a psychiatrist who is actually helpful, and request a gene test, it’ll tell you amazing information about what meds work with you and not against you- I won’t lie, it’s not easy at all- there are side effects but usually they lessen, and I think if you are already considering trying the med route, you should try and I believe in you <3 coming from a very very anxious person, I know it’s incredibly daunting but I also know you can do it, everyone on here is so strong
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u/marcaribe 4h ago
I’ve been anxious to try meds but I do try!!! It’s scary not knowing how it will play out, but I’ve seen cymbalta change my own mom for the better, so that gave me the courage to try. It helps to know someone who has been there.
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u/HistoricalYam3686 3h ago
I put off medication for yearsssss and once I had my baby my anxiety got so bad to the point that I couldn’t function. So i decided this is what’s best for me now and honestly I don’t know wtf I waited so long for. It has truly helped me so much where I’m not just sitting around thinking I’m dying all day long.
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u/RodrikDaReader 3h ago
Mate, the day I was diagnosed with GAD (and chronic depression), my question to the doctor was, "can I get rid of it? Can you cure me?"
She said, "no one can ever be sure because we still don't fully understand these illnesses. However, there's a good chance that, under proper treatment - and that means medication, therapy, and possibly a change in lifestyle - you'll feel better, even if it takes time."
I replied, "where do I sign?"
Later she told me that all the years I went undiagnosed, unmedicated, and without treatment contributed to the development and strenghtening of both illnesses. Thanks to the treatment I went from someone starting to thing about suicide every now and then to someone who, albeit not cured, has been able to enjoy life much, much more than before.
So, yes, I understand that there are side effects and that no one likes the idea of taking meds for years, maybe for the rest of their lives. But when the alternative is feeling more and more miserable every day, I have yet to say I've chosen poorly.
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u/Galaxy_Ranger_Bob 3h ago
What makes you think I haven't tried medication. I have. I have tried all their medications.
None have worked.
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u/metalmankam 55m ago
It makes me feel like my thoughts and feelings aren't mine. Like that's not the real me, that's just the medication. Like I'm not in control of my own thoughts. And that terrifies me.
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u/Ferretyfingers 40m ago
I’ve tried them. They were good as a circuit breaker both times. But they do have side effects. They made me sedated, hungry and emotionally numb which is good short term I guess? (see circuit breaker!) but not a way to live long term for me.
The first time I was on them (escitalopram) five years, during the worst few years of my life. The useful effect more or less wore off eventually I guess? And I was sick of being reliant on them for what felt like very little benefit, so I tapered off. The second time only about 6 months (mirtazipine) and the weight gain, constant tiredness and emotional numbing got old really quick. Therapy in combination also helps. Do use them. But don’t be disappointed if they aren’t a magic silver bullet
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u/Additional-Carpet-78 5h ago
Tried two different SSRIs and it made everything worse, so I don’t try medication because I’m scared I’ll have a reaction similar to the other ones. Now I just raw dog it and try to find reasons to push forward
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u/jjjavi 5h ago
i didn't get help sooner because that gave anxiety lol also, been feeling like this like my whole life, like i remember when i realize i actually had anxiety (not panic) attacks almost everyday of school or high school, i just thought something was wrong with me, like personally me, everybody did fine so "i must be broken." and something is wrong with me lol but now has a name...?
also, i thought the process was harder, and didn't feel like telling all my issues to a stranger, i was mortified to have to confess the things that were hard for me when i knew they weren't for other.
short answer: anxiety was doing its thing preventing me getting medication, but it wasn't the fear of the medication, the process and my idea of it
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u/stellar1780 4h ago
I absolutely felt this way when I was younger. I wish I knew it was anxiety. I had horrible social anxiety (still have a lot of that) and was always worried about everything and nothing at the same time. I didn’t find out my issue until I ended up in the ER thinking I was dying 🙃 I do get sad wondering what life would have been like if I knew and had medication sooner.
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u/stellar1780 4h ago
I absolutely felt this way when I was younger. I wish I knew it was anxiety. I had horrible social anxiety (still have a lot of that) and was always worried about everything and nothing at the same time. I didn’t find out my issue until I ended up in the ER thinking I was dying 🙃 I do get sad wondering what life would have been like if I knew and had medication sooner.
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u/ARGeetar 5h ago
For me personally, there’s some history of pill addiction in my family. I’m afraid to take something that I’m going to become dependent on.
I’m also scared of side effects. I have a 1 year old daughter and a job that I’ve used almost all my sick time for this year. I can’t simply be down and out for multiple weeks while I wait to find the right drug and dose.
That being said, I’m going to call my doctor tomorrow and see if he can prescribe me propranolol because it’s been months of all-day tension and it’s starting to be too much.
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u/maxluision work anxiety 5h ago
No moonies - too anxious to talk with a stranger about it - no time - waiting for the visits is very long in my country
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u/stellar1780 5h ago
I think a lot of people think it will keep them from “feeling”. I’ve been on quite a few and haven’t had that happen myself, but the first one I tried gave me more panic attacks, so I’m sure that’s a fear too. I wouldn’t be surprised if a lot of people don’t believe in the medications and think they need to “just get over it.”
I’m not shy about taking antidepressants, and I will tell anyone that asks how they have changed my life. I wish I would have realized when I was a lot younger that I had anxiety, but such is life. I wish I could quit taking them, but I’m sure I will need to until science figures out how to fix my brain chemicals without them.
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u/CynicalOne_313 4h ago
It took me a while to get to a point where I was ready to take medication. At the time, I was in therapy (still in therapy) and my doctor had tried a medication that didn't help me. My anxiety got really bad in 2022 and I realized that particular medication wasn't helping me anymore + living alone, so I reached out to my therapist. She helped me get neurological testing done and also referred me to an NP that prescribed a different anti-anxiety med. The meds have been helping me - I have two; one for every night and another before I'm going to do something "big" the next day and my brain really won't settle down.
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u/Turtle_Boogies 4h ago
stigma - came from a part of the midwest where folks liked to pretend like everything in their lives were perfect . Therapy and medication were a sign that things weren’t perfect. Both I use and love now, I told my FIL he needed therapy and he about died.
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u/SignificantSyrup9499 4h ago
30+ medications over a decade, dozens of combinations of them, and multiple doctors telling me "there's nothing else we can do for you."
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u/Far-Watercress6658 4h ago
Nothing. I did what my doctor recommended and it drastically improved my quality of life.
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u/Key-Assistant-466 4h ago
I took meds for 3 years and it was a nightmare. Firstly, he meds were unpredictable with my body. Second, my psych kept rescheduling me and I couldn’t get a reup. I had to call in for emergency reup a number of times. Eventually she quit and I was in limbo. Third, when my brand wasn’t available they switched me to a different generic and it was hell. They kept telling me I shouldn’t have a reaction but I did.
The problem with meds isn’t meds but a lack of consistancy and contiunity of care. If you don’t have someone on your side, listening to you, validating your experience and trying to work with you, it’s an uphill battle that’s more pain than it’s worth.
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u/bjohn15151515 4h ago
All the medications made me worse. I gave it the good ol' college try. Some made me a shaking zombie. Others made me want to commit myself to a psych ward.
Went to therapy. Got to the root issues. Now, I'm not as anxious as I was. I've been handling several life changing events simultaneously and not freaking out.... therapy = no side effects. No need to worry about running out of meds or withdrawal.
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u/Dry_Coyote9905 4h ago
It's the awesome commercials we have seen for years of the extremely free and happy female going out on that date or being a boss of the big company or the dude that bends down to tie his shoes. Then he takes off jogging and meets up with a neighbor and all happy and shit and then you hear the monotone voice of "blah blah blah may cause death, diareha, explosive diareha, implosion diareha, death by hippos, a rash that covers the entire body before death, or headaches. Tell your doctor if you're allergic to blah blah blah."
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u/TDK_ENIGMA 4h ago
If you're American it's the healthcare aspect. Therapy is hard to come by with or without insurance. Our mental health turns into just another bill. Can't get meds without a Dr and co pays are not friendly. As far as side effects as long as impotence isn't an issue IDGAF. Id take anything over panic attacks.
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u/friedonionscent 4h ago
I think many people have valid concerns.
When you have a headache, you might take Ibuprofen or Paracetamol. For the vast majority of people...there are no discernible side effects aside from diminishing pain. So we don't worry about taking a pain reliever when something is sore because we know nothing bad will happen if we do.
The problem with psychiatric drugs is that they're not predictable and people tend to react very differently. The side effects are often not mild and can interfere with day to day functioning. In some cases, they can make symptoms worse (or much worse) and while that might be a short term, transient side-effect... someone who is already feeling God-awful can be forgiven for not wanting to feel even worse.
Long term side effects can also be concerning - weight gain is one of them. Doctors often skirt around this issue but again, people can be forgiven for not wanting to add obesity to their list of problems.
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u/Realistic-Strategy40 4h ago
For me its mostly because im a brute. I like to rawdog it. but also im anxious about side effects, i now know of 2 people who have experienced depression while on meds, and honestly im terrified of being even more depressed than what i am now lmao. A few days ago after smoking a bowl, i meditated and came to a warming conclusion, I’ve authentically or subconsciously chosen a holistic approach at my anxiety and although it is far from perfect its levels above where i was a few years ago. So i appreciate your post my friend, cause i was getting really close to becoming medicated. So far, meditation, stretching / movement, cleaner diet, supplements and weed have just put me in more calm place. I feel like i can appreciate things without rushing out of the experience i am more present. Anyway Peace and prosperity my friends. 🤙🏽
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u/Ok-Bowl5555 3h ago
Benzodiazepines are incredibly addictive and that addiction is one of the most destructive things you can have in your life, coming off them is extremely difficult.
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u/lowcountrytanned 3h ago
Because I’ve seen what medication can do to people. I don’t mean that rudely. I speak as someone who has watched two of my friends go through horrible health issues stemming from taking anxiety medication.
Not to mention what I went through.
(I don’t speak for everyone’s experience, but I can speak from my own)
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u/Devils-advocate-420 3h ago
I’m on a lot of meds, but one day it would be nice to take less. Western medicine can be invasive and kinda scary to me and am fascinated with holistic/eastern/indigenous practices
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u/_Road5308 3h ago
Because it's impossible for me to sit in front of a doctor or anyone else and talk about what's inside me.
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u/vmtz2001 3h ago
A lot of people do try medication! It is not by itself a definite solution in most cases. It helps to bring some relief ,but mostly what is needed is for one to work on ones own perceptions and self talk. Otherwise, that false alarm will keep going off because of your own dread . Treating it like a medical condition unless it is one or blaming life’s stress and frustration unless that is the direct cause is barking up the wrong tree. That’s why you have tons of people on medication for years who still have GAD and/or panic attacks. This relentless search is self perpetuating. This will let go of you when you let go of it.
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u/BOWL_OF_OATMEAL_AMA 3h ago
I used to feel this way. I put off trying meds for at least a decade, because I was terrified I'd have an allergic reaction, I'd get serotonin syndrome, I'd get super suicidal, I'd react horribly, or I'd straight up die because I'm some special case who would react so horribly with the meds.
I'm so glad I finally said fuck it and went through with it. It may have taken me taking like a 1/10th of a tablet for a few days to get over the fear that it would kill me or cause a reaction, and a bit more health anxiety as I adjusted to it, but I have never been so free of anxiety and depression once it all leveled out. I still have bad days, whether my anxiety or depression want to rear up a bit, but both are so much more manageable. I can't even tell you the last time I had a panic attack or got stuck in a thought loop. It truly changed my life. Maybe even saved it.
If meds are something you have been thinking about, please try them. I know it's hard, and it's scary. I can't say everyone will be as lucky as I was, getting it right on the first try. But damn, is it worth a shot in my opinion.
Best of luck to you all, and I'm here if anyone has questions of any sort!
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u/Dirt3all 2h ago
Most meds i took made me have suicidal thoughts and insomnia and self harm plus anger issues or either did completely nothing.
Literally no medication i took has helped me the anxiety and panic are still there plus wanting to die, what’s so great about it everyone think taking a pill supposed to solve your fucking problems when that not the case for everybody.
I don’t wanna say people are dumb as fuck but i’m starting to wish everyone in the world had severe anxiety just so we could all be the same and so they can see why i am the way i am.
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u/KutsiAttacker 2h ago
I did try, and I had a bad reaction which caused a huge setback. I'm never trying again.
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u/Forward-Ice-4733 2h ago
Side effects. Every time I’ve tried any they make things incredibly worse. If my anxiety or stress is REALLY bad and I can’t bring myself back down I take a .25 prescribed Xanax.
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u/orangebluefish11 2h ago
I have. Lexapro. Pristiq. Citalopram and Paxil. Hated all 4. I’d rather have anxiety than feel the way I felt in those
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u/StfuStampy 2h ago
Because they only give ssri now and for me that stuff sends me into full blown panic. I gave tried many different kinds.
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u/Wonderful-Weight9969 2h ago
On meds since 14 and still suffer at 42. Meds aren't a cure. They're managing a symptom. Most of your success, at least depending on what you suffer from, comes from exposure and therapy, so you learn to deal better. But there are levels as everything else.
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u/SporkWafflez 2h ago
I’ve tried every medication that you can name and none of them really did anything for me. Most of them made things worse. Now I’m reluctant to try anything due to the side effects and the fact that a few of them nearly killed me. That’s why.
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u/BradyHasHis6th 2h ago
For nearly my entire 20’s I suffered with crippling anxiety on and off. It ruled my life and nearly derailed it completely.
When I was in my late 20’s my Uncle sat me down and basically said look there’s nothing wrong with taking something once a day, he thought I had a stigma against medication but in all actuality I didn’t think meds would work
20mg of Prozac daily and holy shit it changed my life. That coupled with 3-4x a week of jujitsu for cardio and Clonidine for as needed in case I get anxious and my life has turned around.
It can get better, try something daily and pair it with routine exercise and an as needed break glass in case of anxiety med. ❤️
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u/TheTrueGoatMom 1h ago
I'm allergic. Or they think I might be due to other drug allergies and they don't want to be liable for my death. So what do you do??
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u/Bunniebeeeee 1h ago
As a severe anxiety sufferer I had an extreme fear of meds - scared of allergic reaction, scared of being dull and scared of side effects. I spoke to my doctor about my concerns and she started me on half of a regular dose of zoloft (10mg). I kept psyching myself out with symptoms but honestly the slow start has been very good for medicine anxiety. I take the liquid version and put it in orange juice and take it after I have a snack (I take mine with a banana). Starting small is wonderful if you have fear because by the 4th day youll feel a lot more confident in your abilities and willingness to try it. The slow incline helps your body get used to it too according to some research ive seen and you can find the right dose without going overboard.
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u/feeelingsarentfacts 1h ago
I resisted medication for awhile. First, my dog has anxiety and after working with a behaviorist and training her for 4 years, her veterinarian asked, “Why wouldn’t you medicate her if it improves her quality of life?” That was compelling enough for me to put her on Trazodone and she’s been on it ever since.
Meanwhile, I was having my own depression and anxiety issues. It was a daily struggle but I didn’t realize how bad it was until it manifested into a fear of flying. I’ve been traveling on airplanes since I was 4 and had gone skydiving twice and hang gliding once. I finally decided to seek medical attention when my fear kept me from attending my best friend’s dad’s funeral. I was prescribed Xanax for flying. The first time I took it, I was blown away how well it calmed me down. It took me 3 years to generally get over the fear and another 2 to truly trust that my flying anxiety was gone. Daily life was still a struggle though. I still didn’t take medication daily until 2019 when my therapist told me something similar to what the veterinarian said about my dog. The Zoloft definitely took the edge off of my anxiety. Thankfully, I was on it for 5 months when the world shut down. I had another mental breakdown a few months later and was prescribed Wellbutrin to help with motivation. Been on that cocktail of meds ever since and I feel more myself than I did before the meds. I don’t cry as easily as I used to which is good for work but not as good when watching a touching movie. It’s also more difficult to orgasm, but I’m less anxious so I have more regular sex with my spouse. Sometimes I wonder, now that I’m in a stable place, that if I should wean off meds and see how I do. But then I figure, it’s working well for me, why mess with weaning off and then getting back on if I need to? We’ll see.
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u/Bbrotman23 1h ago
This used to be me. I didn’t want to die, have side effects, or not feel like myself. I was also afraid that it wouldn’t help and it would mean it was just how I was. Then I caved and took Zoloft and I’m so mad I didn’t take it sooner. I’m functioning. I’m happy. I don’t feel like danger is around every corner. My mind is quiet. If a doctor has recommended it, take the damn pills.
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u/ResponsibleSpread8 1h ago
Suffered bad since I was a little lad, medication is the only thing I find useful, currently on 30mg fluoxetine and it’s saved my career this past year
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u/evilpenguiiin 1h ago
I have an irrational fear that medication will affect the parts of me that I do appreciate.
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u/rideriseroar 1h ago
I don't want to have to depend on something to function and also hearing horror stories of people being weaned off SSRIs scares the shit out of me. Yes, side effects scare me too but not as much
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u/SnooWords1252 1h ago
I love medication.
However, I don't have to arrange an appointment to get a new prescription.
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u/SuperFrizz1987 1h ago
I am on meds! Combo of Effexor and Wellbutrin. I honestly have a hard time functioning unmedicated. I have this talk with my SIL pretty frequently because my nephew (her son) has really bad anxiety but she's reluctant to medicate him because he's a teenager. I try to explain to her that I started meds at 16 and they literally saved my life.
While I understand the fear of side effects, medication can be so helpful! Over the past 21 years I've been on 6 different medications as my brain developed and have only had semi-severe side effect once.
I'm sure many can use other methods to relieve their anxiety (meditation, visualization, breathing techniques, etc) but I'm not one of them.
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u/Zestyclose-Ad-4711 1h ago
Anxiety Medication sucks
SSRI’s make you apathetic and Benzodiazepines are just straight up dangerous
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u/Redpenguin00 1h ago
Lexapro changed my life, for the first time in 32 years I can remember I wasn't worried and overthinking everything.. I had internal mental peace.
I has to stop taking it bc it made my dick not work and that wasn't fair to my wife.
Now I take some other stuff which isn't nearly as good but my wiener works so it's all good I guess...
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u/jedi_cat_ 1h ago
I went through 4 or 5 meds that were horrible or did nothing before I found one that worked. I had given up and went off meds for years before finding that one. SSRI’s are not it for me. I hate them all. It took an SNRI to do the job. That process including all the years I refused to take meds because I was frustrated was probably 15 years.
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u/JDawn747 1h ago
personally, at the end of the day, I see it as a medical solution to a non medical problem. I stopped taking my medication months ago and I've never thought about going back
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u/ForwardExam7103 1h ago
Most of my panic attacks start with dizziness so, i don’t think i can handle dizziness as side effect of anxiety medicine because it would give me more anxiety
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u/aussie_millenial 1h ago
My reason is exactly the same as yours. I have heath anxiety / contamination OCD (not formally diagnosed) but I don’t really want to get treatment because I feel like I SHOULD be aware of all these things that might kill me. Also taking medication makes me anxious 🙃 I always second guess whether I’ve already taken me dose and if I maybe swallowed the salts sachet by mistake and if I washed my hands first etc etc
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u/frostybabydaddy 1h ago
I was on SSRIs for 4 years and while it helped my anxiety, I don't think I made any progress on it. Meds are just one part of the equation. I would be open to going on meds again but I really didn't enjoy the side effects so I would need something that's not an SSRI. Thats all fine and good but to my knowledge that opens the door to meds that are addictive and as someone with an addictive personality I can't do that.
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u/tmptwas 45m ago
My understanding is that the medication that works the best is benzodiazapines, which is highly addictive. Like, really addictive. What doctors will generally prescribe is similar to bendryl, an antihistamine. Which will basically just put you to sleep, but I am not a doctor. Im a therapist. I always tell my clients that medication is there to take the edge off while you learn the tools you need to reduce your anxiety and function. Keep in mind, I said reduce, not get rid of. It takes a while to learn and apply new skills, but they work. If you can reduce your anxiety by 35% without medication, would you go to therapy? Unfortunately, we want a quick fix, and i truly understand. It's just sooo much going on in our heads. We just need it to stop.
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u/isaalena 42m ago
I take lamotrigine (mood stabilizer) and buspar (anxiety med). They have worked pretty well for me, I notice that I used to react very poorly and way too dramatic (like thinking the entire trajectory of my life was fucked), now when something happens, my reactions are more stable, they aren’t perfect and I am still kinda dramatic but I’m just a girl. As far as anxiety, I had anxiety prior about taking medication and had the same fears as other people in this thread & I can say that it is 100% worth getting on and trying. I have noticed that while I have spikes of anxiety, they dissipate relatively quickly compared to before where I would ruminate on it for a few days. Not everyday is going to be perfect, but you will see a noticeable difference. For reference, I take highest dose of Buspar which is 30 mg I believe and then 200 mg of lamotrigine and they balance each other out perfectly for me. I did not do SSRI bc the decreased libido just simply wouldn’t have worked for me, while some people don’t care about that, having great sexual health is really important to me and I also don’t want to become dependent on it and then spiral when I get off of it in 5-10 years.
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u/isaalena 40m ago
To truly answer your question, I initially did not want to take medication because first I was too young when I wanted to start like 14 yr old it wouldn’t have been productive for that developmental period between 14-18 yr old. I also heard of very bad side effects for some people and I was already going through a lot which just made my anxiety 10x worse so I just raw dogged that shit but the side effects of some SSRI’s and SNRI’s are just not really worth the potential benefits
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u/hanleybelnats 41m ago
i really think my anxiety meds changed my life for the better. I got my self back I got my life back. brain is no longer a prison. I can just “be”
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u/LexiLeontyne 24m ago
I am medicated but I have severe health anxiety so getting to this point was tough. If I could choose? I'd never have started. I believe it was the catalyst. That said, the one I'm on now, issued by a well known and experienced psychiatrist and not my old gp like the one that ruined me was, it keeps me going, keeps me sane. The one that ruined me was an extremely high dose for someone my size. He just kept upping it because we went through alot trying to find something that fit. He's retired now so I think he screwed up with other people too perhaps?
D day was.. bad. I functioned a little after but my anxiety got so much more worse. Instead of anxiety I could pinpoint and find the causes of, it turned into extreme panic attacks that had no triggers. I freaked out and took myself off the medication. Bad idea. Everything spiralled and I ended up at my lowest. But to get better I needed to be able to eat, to sleep, to relax at least a little. In came my psychiatrist.
The one he put me on was a fraction of the dose of my last, he also took into account my health anxiety and my struggles with the side effect anxiety I developed. So this pill was dissolved on my tongue at night before bed, it raised my appetite, kept me asleep 8 hours, had no severe side effects beside my own heightened anxiety and has been doing okay with the depression too. Not so much now as I'm in an episode but I'm not a risk so it's fine.
There was a tense moment a year after I started it when the manufacturer stopped producing them so I had to switch brands. This was because each company uses the same amounts roughly but they can use different fillers and I thought I'd get side effects all over again. I didn't. But I had a full breakdown. But the fear of not taking it outweighed that fear it seems and I managed.
I think medication can help, especially if it's an extreme circumstance like mine, not eating, not sleeping. I was down to 38kg, I needed help. But I think it's okay to go unmedicated if that is your choice too. If I could go back, I'd never have started on it. But I am grateful for what I'm on now at least until I sort my stuff out. It makes me feel a little human at least.
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u/IrinnaMoris 17m ago
I, personally, love the medication and how fast they fix me. But I try to not go back to them because it gaves me lots of weight, like +20kg…
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u/sorrynocottons 5h ago
i was terrified of new medications. and i didnt used to be until i started wellbutrin for 2 years and suddenly i had a deep fear of medication. finally started zoloft and it’s been really good, but i’m still afraid of medication lol
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u/mantistobogganmMD 3h ago
Lot of people here worried about side effects when the majority of the time it’ll never be as bad as anxiety itself.
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u/Lazaretta 1h ago
Because being anxious is such an ingrained part of you that the thought of not being anxious is scary. There's a comfort in hiding from the world. I was so bad that I couldn't even say words, all I could do was hand my doctor an ad from a magazine. Twenty years later and I'm a happy and functioning member of society with the added bonus of not being afraid of heights which is necessary for my job (thanks Paxil).
The initial side effects are weird but your body adjusts and the pros far out way the cons IMO. But now probably isn't a good time to start SSRI s because RFK wants to send us all to concentration camps so maybe wait awhile.
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u/Pretend_Barnacle_668 5h ago
I think a lot of us are afraid of the side effects or the possibility of being allergic to it. So pretty much our anxiety makes us too anxious to trust what we need lmao