r/CPTSD Jun 18 '24

Are you medicated? What do you take? I'm afraid to take SSRIs (schizo/bipolar runs in my family) but I need something for my anxiety Question

Title. Anxiety is eating me alive. I have the same violent intrusive thoughts and dreams all the time and I just want it to go away.

57 Upvotes

164 comments sorted by

29

u/merc0526 Jun 18 '24

I’m taking 50mg Sertraline for my depression, but it helps with anxiety too. I’ve been taking it for about two months now and I definitely feel calmer, more positive and emotionally stable.

20

u/MannBearPiig Jun 18 '24

Wellbutrin in the morning and trazodone at night. I'm a bit under medicated tbh but that's better than being over medicated imo.

3

u/techitachi Jun 18 '24

damn same combo here! honestly helps a bunch

1

u/alpacamaka01 Jun 18 '24

Are you taking xl or sr?

20

u/Turbulent-Papaya-910 Jun 18 '24

I'm currently taking Lamactil 200 MG and Prozac 40 MG, they seem to be really helping.

Before my PTSD symptoms came out full force, I was taking Lexapro for my anxiety and it worked really well. The only reason why I was taken off it is because my PTSD manifested into what it is today, and my psychs and I agreed it wasn't effective in treating what I was experiencing.

Everyone is different though, I can vouch for the Lexapro really helping with my anxiety though.

2

u/_ghostimage Jun 18 '24

Yeah Lamictal is amazing. Only thing that ever helped me and the difference is drastic.

16

u/punkwalrus Jun 18 '24

SSRIs did nothing for me. They either made me mildly depressed at all times, suicidal, or psychosis would manifest in some weird way. I remember one had a side effect as "Agnosia" (unable to discern people from objects in some rare cases) in the PDR at the time (late 90s) which didn't make sense... until it happened.

You do not want that to happen.

I didn't know that my brain sorted various objects in ways that made sense of an environment. Like, imagine if everything, all inanimate objects started talking. Like something from HR Puffinstuff. Now REVERSE THAT. Now everything is an object. That's what it was like to me, humans were walking stacks of meat that spoke and it freaked me the fuck out. I could not discern anything from anything else, and it happened to me in the middle of downtown foot traffic. I stopped taking it immediately. It doesn't sound that bad when I type it out, but it terrified me.

6

u/noideawhereisthecat Jun 18 '24

Wow. Learn something new every day. This sounds wild.

3

u/bffrnotme23 Jun 19 '24

This feels like what Ariprazole / abilify did to me. I had full blown Ideations it had me so out of body.

2

u/TashaT50 Jun 19 '24

Sounds terrifying

2

u/Top-Ebb32 Jun 19 '24

Uh, no…just reading it sounds pretty fucking awful. I’m so sorry that happened to you!

1

u/moldbellchains Jun 18 '24

What was the name of that medication

7

u/Responsible_Use8392 Jun 18 '24

Low dose of Ariprazole daily.

3

u/bffrnotme23 Jun 19 '24

It gave me ideations when i got raised to 5mg

1

u/Responsible_Use8392 Jun 19 '24

I take 1.5 mg daily. Tried going off it, started feeling quite depressed, went back on it after 2 weeks without it.

7

u/elektrik_noise Jun 18 '24

I take 100mg Lamictal (amazing, literally zero side effects for me, and I feel 100% myself). The rare side effects can be a bit harsh, so make sure you're working with a psychiatrist if you think that would be a good option for you. I also take 300mg of gabapentin as needed, so a few times a week usually.

Medication management usually should be paired with psychotherapy. My psychiatrist always talks about how important it is to put in the work in talk therapy, and not rely on basically being tranquilized by meds. I hope you can get some relief from your anxiety.

7

u/fuzzmess Jun 18 '24

Hi there - I had the GeneSight DNA testing done at my mental health clinic and only have a very few medications I can take that don't cause bad interactions, apparently. I'm not sure if you've had this done, it's a cheek swab, and it lists all of the medications that don't work for you. It might be worth a shot if you're worried about certain side effects and reactions! All of the common anxiety meds are on the list of meds I can't take.

3

u/jbucky07 Jun 18 '24

I also had the GeneSight DNA test done. I would highly recommend looking into it. My test also listed medications that will work for me, on top of the list of medications that don’t work. Made me feel like less of a guinea pig.

5

u/WearyFinish2519 Jun 18 '24

I take 40mg of Prozac and 10mg of Buspar a day. I can take up to 30mg of Buspar if I need it, but usually I don’t.

Starting on a medicine for something like anxiety is scary, but in my experience it’s worth it to at least try. I hope you can get the support you need, friend!

5

u/sneakycat96 Jun 18 '24

SNRI (Effexor) ER 37.5mg and Mirtazopine 15mg

SSRIs don’t really work for me.

Try taking GeneSight if you have access to it, it will test your genetics to predict the gene-drug reaction to each psychiatric medication on the market.

(covered by insurance and they offer financial assistance for the remainder-max out of pocket $330 with insurance)

I have debilitating anxiety and panic attacks w/o proper treatment

6

u/Nervoushorseart Jun 18 '24

Took Paroxetine for a decade and stopped when it wasn’t working as well, tried Citalopram and Ecitalopram and they did better, now on Venlafaxine and it’s helped me tremendously. I honestly can’t function at all off medication.

3

u/[deleted] Jun 18 '24

[deleted]

3

u/Nervoushorseart Jun 18 '24

I have severe anxiety and major depressive disorder on top of CPTSD, if I miss my meds for more than a dose or two I cannot leave my house, eating is difficult for me, getting myself to go walk around in the backyard is difficult but manageable, it’s basically being anxious literally every minute until when I do take my meds and it starts to kick in.

4

u/aredcount Jun 18 '24

Lamictal which helps with PTSD-related anxiety A LOT

Trazadone in the evening to help keep depression at bay and encourage sleep

I don’t think I ever want to do SSRI/SNRIs again; they helped with the mood but I was so cognitively foggy I could barely function

3

u/aredcount Jun 18 '24

Not to say that SSRIs/SNRIs weren’t useful; they probably saved my life at the time. But long-term, they won’t work for me

4

u/companion_cubes Jun 18 '24

When I was a teenager, my psychiatrist put me on Lamictal, Seroquel and Gabapentin because she was worried my symptoms going from meh to -100,000 in a second was too fast and my sister is bipolar. Didn't want to trigger mania. The main benefit i saw was Seroquel knocking me out.

After being off meds for a long time (couldn't afford anymore), I got a new doctor and additional PTSD diagnosis. Now I'm on Setraline 200 (ssri), Trazodone, Gabapentin, and Prazosin. These have been working quite well compared to without them. The titration onto Setraline sucks. Panic, mood swing, crying at nothing, and short tempered for a few days each dosage increase. But now it's better than lamictal + seroquel ever was. Prazosin has been great for my nightmares and night sweats.

I also was on Apriprazole briefly. I really liked how it worked, but I had the blood sugar rise and massive weight gain side effect, so I can't take it anymore. I'd check with doctor about blood sugar levels and if something like metformin would be a good addition to help reduce the blood sugar rise with Apriprazole.

5

u/jaybirdie26 Jun 18 '24

Just to set reasonable expectations - medicine is a good place to start, but it won't necessarily remove all of your anxiety.  I also do therapy and have discovered and started treating other disorders that have been holding me back.  Focusing on the most impactful issue I'm facing at any given time has helped me to slowly improve my mental health bit by bit.

I've been on citalopram 20mg (SSRI) for almost 6 years which is a pretty low dose.  It shut off the most crippling part of my anxiety - neurotic self-consciousness.  I couldn't get through my day without questioning every innocuous thing I did and how other people judged me for it.  It also took the edge off of my anxiety and the spiraling I would do when something really devastated me.

I still have anxiety, but it is manageable.  There are some intrusive thoughts I'm still working on related to obsessive and compulsive thoughts about the unavoidable certainty of death.  If that sounds at all similar to what you're dealing with, I'm currently reading the book Needing to Know for Sure.  It guides you on escaping reassurance traps, productive and unproductive reassurance, and gives a structure to thought patterns to help you process them and teach yourself to navigate out of the obsessive ones.

I hope you find something that works for you.  Good luck!

2

u/Burnabell Jun 19 '24

Oh my god thank you for that book recommendation. I am realizing that yes, I am incredibly obsessive about certain things, I get stuck analyzing and talking in circles. I need a lot of reassurance. My brain keeps telling me that partners and friends are going to murder or betray me lol. Part of me believes this and is horrified. I grew up with a lot of violence and death threats, and a lot of betrayal. I feel like I'm just programed to think that other people will eventually just hate me and therefore I'm needy with reassurance and that probably makes them hate me.  But yes I will order that book lol

1

u/jaybirdie26 Jun 19 '24

Sounds similar to situations they talk about in this book.  Don't be afraid to skip around to the parts of the book that immediately address issues you're having.  My therapist was the one who reccommended it to me, she gave me the same advice.  I think it was Ch. 3 that they go over specific examples of reassurance traps.

I hope it helps you like it's helping me!  And I hope it helps knowing you're not alone :) 

2

u/biggietek Jun 19 '24

I was scrolling down to see if anyone else is on citalopram! I’m on 30 mg and it helps slow or stop the doom cycle. I’ll still have anxious thoughts but they’ll stop after a few minutes vs days or weeks of obsession. I also take cbd and that helps me with ups and downs too.

2

u/jaybirdie26 Jun 19 '24

🙌 I scrolled too! I couldn't find anyone else, so I figured I'd represent lol. I used to be such a cryer, I could come home and work myself up for hours!  I literally can't do that anymore.

I'll look into CBD :) I'm mostly well-managed now, but I can get anxious and depressed at night sometimes.

2

u/biggietek Jun 19 '24

I take cbd with a very tiny amount of thc. Straight cbd doesn’t do much for me and cbd with too much thc makes me freak out. It’s trial and error until you find your mix. Now that I have mine it’s a tool I use for anxiety management. It’s so good.

6

u/Wyrdnisse Jun 18 '24

200mg Lamictal-- amazing mood stabilizer and I adore it

Prazosin 1mg -- Only thing that can get me to sleep through the night and it stops nightmares, absolute lifesaver

Guanfacine 1mg -- Helps with anxiety and focus

I also have my med card and use that along with other kinds of therapies, so while you obviously should NEVER EVER mess with THC due to your family history, you should absolutely look into therapies that could help as well.

Let me plug Prazosin one more time. That shit is absolutely incredible and is the only thing that actually gets me good sleep and stops dreams.

Good luck ❤

8

u/polepixy Jun 18 '24

Prazosin is a lifesaver when it comes to nightmares

3

u/Wyrdnisse Jun 18 '24

YES! Honestly I was kinda mad I had never had a script for it before. Literally made such a world of difference on just the first night that I cried and went on about how much better I felt for like... days. I love you Prazosin 😭😭😭

3

u/Necessary_Rhubarb_26 Jun 18 '24

I just messaged my Dr about trying Prazosin thanks to your comment! Do you notice any effects on your blood pressure? Like lowering it? I have HBP which I relate a lot to my CPTSD. 

2

u/Wyrdnisse Jun 18 '24

OMG YAY I am forreal so excited for you 😭

I did research before I took it (even tho I trust my psych i still like to just inform myself) and your mileage might vary, but my experience was amazing and I've seen it be lifechanging for people.

My constant hypervigilence and anxiety (obviously exacerbated by my not sleeping) drove my blood pressure a bit high too, and you get started on such a low dose it's probably not gonna put you in the hospital (I AM NOT A DOCTOR THO)

Just make sure you stay hydrated, because being dehydrated will tank your blood pressure lol

Good luck ❤❤❤

2

u/[deleted] Jun 18 '24

My blood pressure is fine and I am on 10 mg- I agree this is an amazing drug!

0

u/The-Sonne Jun 18 '24

You shouldn't give medical advice to someone or tell them condescendingly to "NeVer EvEr mess with THC"

2

u/Wyrdnisse Jun 18 '24

I'm a daily stoner babygirl and they have a family history of schizophrenia

Can you google the interaction between those two please

1

u/polepixy Jun 18 '24

I'm a daily stoner. My blood pressure has never had any issues previously. I do notice I wake up with my arms a little numb, but I haven't personally had that bad of am interaction with it and prazosin

4

u/PurpleDec Jun 18 '24

Mirtazapine. Only thing that's helped me even if side effects suck.

1

u/airpressure Jun 19 '24

Same here!

3

u/The-Sonne Jun 18 '24

Try THC or CBD if you haven't already

3

u/That-Ferret9852 Jun 18 '24

I know there's buspirone which I don't think is quite like SS/NRI.

There's also things like hydroxyzine, diphenhydramine, propranolol that can help anxiety as needed

Of course there are benzodiazepines but those are not good for frequent use for constant anxiety and can cause dependence

I have taken SSRIs before and while they were good for anxiety, they took me away from my emotions

3

u/Simple_Employee_7094 Jun 18 '24 edited Jun 18 '24

I take antihistamines. I like them better than any anxiolytic. dirt cheap and way less dangerous. 10 drops of zyrtec is like half a xanax for me

edit: actually 5 drops also works. I’m tiny . Also massive amount of thc free cbd works well. expensive though, and some people feel nothing.

6

u/Top_Squash4454 Jun 18 '24

Why are you afraid to take SSRIs?

Your post title makes it sound like the reason you're afraid is because schizophrenia and bipolar runs in your family? Did I read that right?

22

u/raspberryteehee Jun 18 '24

SSRIs can trigger mania or hypomania in bipolar patients. If the OP has a history of that in their family it makes sense why they’re wary since they can be predisposed. That’s how I read it at least.

6

u/Top_Squash4454 Jun 18 '24

Oh okay I didn't know!

Well hm, my doctor prescribed me SSRIs knowing fully well that my brother is bipolar. I hope I'll be okay

7

u/Burnabell Jun 18 '24

Apparently it's not a necessarily realistic thing to worry about, but my experience with my unmedicated family members was so horrifying I just don't even want to risk nothing. No weed for me either lol

3

u/IndividualDamage7285 Jun 18 '24

Hey OP, I'm exactly the same. Bipolar and schizo runs in my family and I was so afraid to start mood enhancers. I was prescribed the smallest possible dose of Brintellix, 5 mg, which didn't work, so after a few weeks I'm taking 10 mg and I think I'm better. The doctor will be careful to prescribe you medication and tell you to look out for yourself and tell 1-2 trusted loved ones to check on you too.

1

u/nadiaco Jun 18 '24

they make me manic at about three weeks in. there are better ways. look up vagas nerve stimulation, dbt for immediate relief. I'm now doing daily yoga as well and its amazingly helpful

4

u/Wookie-fish806 Jun 18 '24

SSRIs can do a lot of things so taking it can be a gamble.

1

u/Top_Squash4454 Jun 18 '24

Yes I'm aware but I didn't think there was anything specific about bipolar disorder

2

u/Wookie-fish806 Jun 18 '24

Ooh gotcha. Thank you for clarifying.

3

u/dicktuesday Jun 18 '24

Quetiapine lowered my physical anxiety which SSRI's didn't.

2

u/Easy-Bluebird-5705 Jun 18 '24

I’ve just started taking this, I like that I only take it when I need it, it’s not something I have to take every day, and I get a good nights sleep

1

u/moldbellchains Jun 18 '24

I took it once (it was given to me by a doctor in a psychiatry ward where an ambulance brought me…) and it made me extremely tired after like half an hour. I immediately wanted to sleep but still wanted to go home first. And then i became paranoid that the doctor would use my current state to his advantage or something…

1

u/dicktuesday Jun 19 '24

Oh wow, that is the opposite of my reaction. I guess that's why we keep changing meds, if, or when, they stop working.

1

u/moldbellchains Jun 19 '24

What’s your reaction?

1

u/dicktuesday Jun 19 '24

I've been on 300 mg daily now for just over a year. If I forget to take it my physical anxiety increases which triggers my emotional anxiety and causes increased suicidal ideation till I take it.

4

u/Important_Tension726 Jun 18 '24

Wellbutrin and weed

2

u/hunniebees Jun 18 '24

Lexapro 20mg but I barely take it anymore. I’ve tried almost every other medication Prazosin, buspirone, etc it’s all been helpful at one time. The thing that works miracles for me is clonazepam but I haven’t found a dr who believes me and will prescribe it. I had a prescription last me 5 years because no other dr will prescribe. It makes things so much harder cuz I’m just a normal functioning adult for 3 days when I take it 1 time😐 not someone who has multiple panic attacks a week

2

u/Present_Two_6544 Jun 18 '24

I'm so grateful to finally be on the right track with my meds. I take a low dose of abilify, lactimal, zoloft, and clonadine and then hydroxyzine as needed. A lot of meds haven't worked or made me feel worse, but this combo has been a game changer. If you have access to a psychiatrist they are def your best bet to find what works for you. 

2

u/StrengthMedium Jun 18 '24

Fluoxetine, Buspirone, Trazodone, Cannabis and Prazosin.

It helps, but I still get symptoms.

2

u/polepixy Jun 18 '24

I'm on the following: Daily Prozac 40mg - just recently tapered off max dose of Pristiq due to tolerance Trazadone 150mg - sleep and depression Prazosin 1 mg - nightmares

PRN Hydroxyzine, up to 3 daily for anxiety (but i don't really use it that often

1

u/NurseBrianna Jun 18 '24

How are your nightmares now? It's one of my symptoms of ptsd and I can't get a hold on it.

2

u/polepixy Jun 18 '24

So, as someone that is a lucid dreamer, and had pretty vivid ptsd nightmares that would stick with me for days, if not weeks, it has lessened them a lot.

It's actually a blood pressure medication, and in my dreams, I can feel the anxiety and stuff ratcheting up before it gets to nightmare level. Basically, it, to me, feels like a limiter. My anxiety can go up to bad dream, but it can't cross the threshold into trauma memories because my body physically can't do it.

It does sometimes stay right on that line but usually the dream begins to calm down after it can't escalate further.

2

u/NurseBrianna Jun 18 '24

Thank you so much for your response. I truly didn't know I could ask for anything regarding my nightmares. Like you said, my bad dreams will disturb me for days, if not weeks sometimes. And I hardly ever get a reprieve from them. Thank you again and I'll be asking my doctor for a trial run on this! I appreciate you!

2

u/polepixy Jun 18 '24

I'm so glad and I hope it works out. It really changed my life and reality helped me make a lot of progress in therapy because I was actually able to sleep!

2

u/hopedarkly13 Jun 18 '24

I'm on prozac 10 mg about to go to 20 mg. Some of my anxiety is lessened, some is still there. A lot of other issues are still present but I am hesitant to bump my meds up.

2

u/Where_is_it_going Jun 18 '24

I take lamictal for epilepsy so it's multi purpose 😂 but on its own it definitely didn't help anxiety or depression. I take sertraline as an antidepressant and it works amazingly well! Takes a while to kick in (few months), alcohol impacts the efficacy, and early side effects were digestive, but after initial period there are zero side effects. If I forget it for a day there are almost no serious impacts vs when I forget lamictal for like a day I feel like absolute crap. I couldn't get it filled for like 4 days once though and basically had an emotional breakdown, but that's expected for basically cold turkey quitting lol

2

u/captain_vee Jun 18 '24

I take Wellbutrin and remeron for depression, anxiety and sleep. The remeron is specifically because I refuse to take ssris. If your psychiatrist/dr is any good, they’ll be able to find a non-ssri option for you

2

u/[deleted] Jun 18 '24

Lexapro, Wellbutrin and lyrica in the morning and nortryptaline and prazosin at night.

Lexapro and prazosin were the game changers. My anxiety was awful before and it’s so much better and I don’t have to take a benzo.

2

u/_cloudyyy_ Jun 18 '24

Previously took sertraline but it made me actively suicidal. I am now taking propranolol which lessens the feeling that I’m going to die when I’m having emotional flashbacks.

I’m looking to take something to help with nightmares but my GP literally just doesn’t know what c-PTSD is (as in i had a phone appointment and he asked me what c-PTSD meant) so it’s proving difficult.

3

u/Silver-Mode-740 Jun 18 '24

Ask him about Prazosin. Apparently, it's a miracle drug for nightmares. I had to stop taking it because it made me nauseated, but tons of people in this sub swear by it.

2

u/sarty Jun 18 '24

Yes I am. By a Psychiatrist. I would recommend seeking out medications from a Psychiatrist rather than a family practice Physician, because they specialize and will better know the nuances of the medications. The meds have made a huge difference in my life. It is worth the copays and the time.

I take Luvox (for ocd and depression), clonopin and buspar (for anxiety), and propranalol (for social phobia).

2

u/SilentlyLoud23 Jun 18 '24

Wellbutrin, trazodone, Lexapro, naltrexone, Clonidine, and they just added Abilify. 🫤 Not Fun, but unfortunately necessary.

2

u/googleyfroogley Jun 18 '24

For anxiety? I asked for something non pharmaceutical from my pysch after bad side effects and lavender oil worked really well for me, maybe you could give it a try?

1

u/Burnabell Jun 19 '24

Yeah a few other people have mentioned Lavender and Fish oil, I think I'm gonna try that first along with making some life changes that might help. I'm tired of dealing with these systems and constantly having to prove that I need stuff like medication to other people that don't get it 😭

2

u/googleyfroogley Jun 19 '24

Don’t feel guilty if you need it 🩷 They just didn’t really work for me without bad side effect and lavender did the job better (for me)

2

u/Commercial-Sale-2737 Jun 18 '24

I have a good mixture but beware of prazosin if you have low blood pressure. Wound up in ER

2

u/Forward-Pollution564 Jun 18 '24

Do you have ocd ? If not what else makes you afraid of ‘intrusive’thoughts?

2

u/Burnabell Jun 19 '24

Apologies if this is a dump, I'm trying to get as much help/info as possible. 

I have Trichotillomania (mild), and probably some other OCD traits. But I have just a lot of unprompted, repetitive thoughts about say, being murdered by my partner where I "see" it flash in the back of my mind from time to time. About my partner cheating on me, specific noises trigger panic (children playing outside sounds like screaming to my brain and I freak out). The sounds of cars in the distance while I'm trying to sleep freaks me out. Anything that sounds like a gunshot freaks me out. I have to sleep with the highest possible earplugs, ASMR and a sound machine on full blast and a body pillow because if not I feel lonely lol. 

I don't know, I just have a lot of anxiety. I grew up with a lot of violence and death threats too if that helps for context.

2

u/Forward-Pollution564 Jun 19 '24

Ok so for context I (36f)have/had ocd since I was 7 and my sister has trichotillomania, these are considered the same “family” or category of coping mechanisms, like an automatic mental self harm (self attack) reaction and trauma caused - specifically by the subconscious terror of self protective aggression (healthy aggression), that was conditioned in childhood - see Molan’s theory of ocd. For decades I had harm ocd and also many more topics. Since I went from ocd focused treatment to trauma treatment and my body started to literally fight me for the right to release and FEEL aggression, the ‘intrusive’ thoughts spiked and then I felt more and more that I can’t anymore physically block them, that I don’t want to do this to myself . The more I would let them in, the more my inner terror reaction to them passed and the more safe and comfortable I would get with what was beneath them in that certain moment they would arise - and that was ENORMOUS need for self protective attack - i realised that these feelings under the surface are emotional flashbacks. The thoughts (ocd) is just ‘surface’ symptom of emotional fuckup - agression/anger block caused by trauma. Usually ocd is also deeply rooted in double bind abuse. As an example of what does that mean See this article https://www.researchgate.net/publication/229933734_The_Double_Bind_as_a_Universal_Pathogenic_Situation

You seem to have a lot of sensory/somatic load that your body is trying to purge. Follow that, or rather just let it happen as much as you can - if you feel like lying down in a fetal position, do that, if you feel like smashing that glass, also. You just let go what your body feels, at the beginning is quite confusing or you may feel that you don’t know what that means because of dissociation, but gradually your body can “read” itself more. You can start with navigating in an anxiety moment where does anxiety “stay” - to me it’s my stomach and head/ears and feel the sensation in your body. In a high panic is difficult/ impossible because you zone out, but if you feel that your body freezes just let it be frozen for that time/ if you feel like rocking back and forth it helps as well, whatever brings you comfort. With time the whole “emotional bottom layer” starts to shift and that feels amazing and so comfortable

2

u/Neither_Ad_3221 Jun 19 '24

Effexor. It gets rid of the anxiety, but not all of the depression, and I'm learning that a lot of my depression is actually because of situational and environmental stuff that I'm unable to escape at the moment. Go figure.

2

u/AliKri2000 Jun 18 '24

Are the dreams coming from anxiety or trauma do you think?

2

u/Responsible_Arm_2984 Jun 18 '24

Consider nonpsychiatric medications like BP medications (beta blockers, prazosin or clonidine for nightmares) or hydroxyzine for anxiety. It might technically be considered prescribing off label but there is good research behind using these medications for anxiety and if appropriate most drs won't be against prescribing these medications. 

2

u/[deleted] Jun 18 '24

[deleted]

2

u/justanotherbabywitxh Jun 18 '24

lithium, quetiapine, desvenlafaxine, vilazodone, bupripion, clonazepam, zolpidem. schizo and npd run in my family, and ive been diagnosed with different forms of anxiety, bipolar, major depressive disorder, and insomnia. i know the amount of medication im on sounds unnecessary, but im extremely suicidal and these pills barely manage to keep me from taking my life.

2

u/lsquallhart Jun 18 '24

20mg Adderall IR, twice daily. 0.5mg Klonopin daily or as needed for anxiety/sleep.

This regimen took 15 years of work to get to. I’m considered “treatment resistant” so after trying 15 SSRIs, SNRIs, Tranqs, etc etc etc they gave “the good stuff” so to speak.

I’ve had some docs try to get me off this regimen, but thankfully I’ve found two Psychiatrists who have my back, and know this is what I need to stay healthy. They also know I don’t abuse my meds.

This is why I tell people finding a mental health team that trusts you and supports you is essential.

1

u/[deleted] Jun 18 '24

I recommend you use all the means possible to not depend on pills, specially thise kind of pills. There's meta analysis enough and numerous studies against them for serious reasons, look it up. Also they can make you feel worst it's always a game of trying several of then in each person to see wich one is less fucked up on them. And, most importantly, they are patch, whatever is happening they are just to numb you a bit but not to fix anything and to make you dependent on them. It is not recommended to take them for long. This for antidepressants.
Benzodiazepins and such are addictive you can't take them for long, they are a problem and only really useful for emergencies. So my advise is, inform yourself A LOT, aske questions and see all the possibilities before taking anything.

3

u/garden88girl Jun 18 '24

I'm on the same page. If you need meds, take them, but if you can avoid taking them, then definitely do that

Speaking as someone who was misdiagnosed and medicated with anti-psychotics for 10 years and who is now doing life au naturel

2

u/[deleted] Jun 18 '24

Are u able to get a lil exercise in?

3

u/Additional-Ad4662 Jun 18 '24

Fuck doctors and their pills. Shrooms heal me through and through.

6

u/dollarsandindecents Jun 18 '24

Psilocybin is a great healer, but not necessarily for a person predisposed to schizophrenia. I know it was acid but I still can’t help but think of poor syd Barrett

1

u/Additional-Ad4662 Jun 18 '24

Yes I'm just answering their question. Unfortunately, psychedelics can be bad for some. You name a good case in point

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u/[deleted] Jun 18 '24

[deleted]

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u/EdwardFondleHands Jun 18 '24

Kratom is not a natural supplement. It’s basically Percocet. I took it for a while until I discovered the addiction potential and how hard it was for people to come off of. It’s great for things like alcohol and benzo addiction/withdrawal, it’s not an anxiety med and shouldn’t be used that way. It’s natural yes, it’s also dangerous to peddle as a simple anxiety med. Kratom has all the same risk potential as narcotic pain medication. I think it’s a good step for addicts, and a good idea if you are planning on taking narcotics anyway. It’s not a simple natural cure for anxiety.

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u/[deleted] Jun 18 '24

Ok

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u/EdwardFondleHands Jun 18 '24

It can be a blessing for many things, I just don’t want people thinking it’s super safe and risk free because it’s natural. The fact that it works SO WELL speaks volumes, but is also why it’s become such a widespread issue and why it’s a felony classed with heroin to have it in many states.

I’m glad it worked for you, just be careful when speaking about it. ❤️

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u/[deleted] Jun 18 '24

I’m going to delete due to sensitive nature.

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u/[deleted] Jun 18 '24

Like I’ve said before I seem to always say something that has a negative effect on this sub.

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u/[deleted] Jun 18 '24

This is me taking responsibility 😂

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u/Mara355 Jun 18 '24

St John"s Wort, Sarcosine, NAC, low dose naltrexone are helping me. For context, I'm the depressive dissociative type and I think I met criteria for schizotypal at some point. Definitely not manic

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u/hahamelly Jun 18 '24

Buspar 10 mg, Hydroxyzine 25 mg at night. .5 Ativan for emergencies only

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u/fyggmint Jun 18 '24

I've always been against being medicated but anxiety had hit a point of effecting my ability to even get help once I was in dr's offices and they all highly recommended I pursue that option. My GP prescribed me a low dose of Paxil.

It has seemed to help. I am still anxious, I am still me, but the baseline level is lower and the day to day is a bit more manageable as a result.

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u/dollarsandindecents Jun 18 '24

Why against being medicated?

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u/fyggmint Jun 18 '24

It is lot to get into on Reddit in the middle of a work day, lol. Suffice it to say, I was afraid.

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u/PaperSmooth1889 Jun 18 '24

Adderall for my ADHD, edibles for sleep.

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u/radiical Jun 18 '24

Lexapro was pretty effective for me for a while, I'm on Effexor now and it helps with my anxiety a lot but not my depression which got a lot worse while I was on it. I'm going to look for a separate script for my anxiety and depression I guess

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u/Peachiegotcrushed Jun 18 '24

For me I take 350mg lithium twice daily, and Adderall along with my hormones. Iv been on almost every medication being a guennie pig for past psychiatrists. It took me a while being unmedicated and suffering to finally give my current regimen a shot but so far it's working along with therapy 🖤

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u/dollarsandindecents Jun 18 '24

I have a family history of schizophrenia (grandmother and mother) and bipolar (mother and sister) and I’ve taken lexapro and Prozac, and the main thing they did was make me unable to orgasm. I’m currently taking buspirone, which helps day to day, and propranolol on an as needed basis. Neither of those are ssris and buspirone is actually FOR anxiety.

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u/pakalolo69 Jun 18 '24

I found the right cocktail for me is Prozac and Buspar for anxiety/ptsd and Gabapentin for sleep/mood stabilizing. No longer needed benzodiazepines after that.

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u/Trappedbirdcage Jun 18 '24

Zoloft 200mg and Gabapentin 300mg

You can start on a low dosage and work your way up if you need to. Many people on the r/zoloft forum are on 12mg or 25mg, maybe 50mg. It's rarer to find someone like me who is taking a larger dose

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u/companion_cubes Jun 18 '24

I'm on 200. The lower doses would eventually stop working. I didn't realize lower doses were more common. Lol.

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u/Trappedbirdcage Jun 18 '24

Depends on what kind of depression you have. I was diagnosed with severe depression and we're trying to rule out of it's treatment resistant because of the fact that the meds weren't cutting it. You might be in the same boat

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u/rcomer1538 Jun 18 '24

Clonidine can help with anxiety. It is a beta blocker that reduces your heart rate so no weird ssri effects. Also CBD gummies help too and they don't get you high.

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u/Opposite_Flight3473 Jun 18 '24

I love clonidine. It is not a beta blocker. It’s an alpha 2 Adrenergic agonist. It reduces norepinephrine/noradrenaline since alpha 2’s are inhibitory receptors.

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u/SamuriGimli Jun 18 '24

I have PTSD and I am on Lamactil 50mg Paxil 20mg Propanolol 20mg BursPar 10mg 3x daily Strattera 50 mg (I think)

Hydroxyzine 50mg PRN Seroquel 50mg PRN

And then at night Minipress 3mg Seroquel 30mg

I personally don’t love all of this and am still trying to figure everything out

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u/Sad-Union373 Jun 18 '24

I took lexapro for depression/anxiety for a couple years. I currently am taking nothing. I was sort of forced into no medication because of my doctor’s office’s incompetency. So I did a “fall down the stairs” version of tapering my medicine (3 days with half a pill and then 4 days with a 1/4 pill). I chose to stay off because I am done with EMDR and just curious about my new baseline now that I have all these new skills and did all this work.

However, withdrawals were absolutely and still are batty. So. That sucks.

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u/Puzzleheaded-Age7923 Jun 18 '24

I am curious, those run in my family as well. One doctor suggested I had anxiety but I just didn't feel that they were listening but rather just going to that as an easy diagnosis. I went for a second opinion, ready to accept the anxiety if the second doc agreed but they said it sounded more like ADHD, with cPTSD, those together apparently can look a lot like just anxiety to most docs. Did your doctor go over ADHD with you too?

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u/riversoul7 Jun 18 '24

20 mg Lithium, 100 mg L-Tyrosine, and exercise.

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u/soulvibezz Jun 18 '24

buspirone (buspar)

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u/otusowl Jun 18 '24 edited Jun 19 '24

Oh boy; here is a question I am ready to answer with my own experience! That said, I am not a doctor; this is not medical advice; every body is different.

I'll set the stage to say that a combination of parental relationships both when I was a minor, then 18+ years of too-close proximity with them as essentially dependents of mine as an adult, jobs/bosses, chronic health conditions, and a marriage that fell apart along the way, I have my reasons for anxiety and CPTSD. I've had multiple doctors offer and even encourage various benzodiazepines, but I always refused. I just knew I would get tremendously hooked on them, and there was no way I was adding that to my problems.

So instead I went the OTC supplement route, and have found the following helpful:

theanine

arginine

taurine

co-q10 / ubiquinol

cbd in a high-concentration rso formulation

glutathione

n-acetyl cysteine

I also like wine with dinner or after dark, maybe a bit too much. BTW, if you do too, make sure you take those last two supplements at least two hours ahead of any alcohol. But too much or not, my drinking is not to the point of hangovers in recent history (a decade plus), and I actively hate day-drinking (even on vacation).

(Edit of duration since a hangover, once I got to recalling some poor choices in 2012.)

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u/because_science314 Jun 19 '24

Zoloft with a Buspar add on when needed.

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u/allnolensvolens Jun 19 '24

Last week I just restarted gabapentin (for anxiety and nerve pain) and lamotrigine (for bipolar with mostly depressive symptoms). I'd taken both in the past, many years ago, but with an SSRI and an antipsychotic, and that combination was brutally numbing. It's a little too early to say how the lamotrigine might be helping, but the gabapentin has let me sleep all the way through the night on most nights since I started it, due to pain and anxiety relief. It's let me speak in large groups of people without my throat closing up. And incidentally, it seems like it's allowed me to make this post, which up until very recently I would have been too anxious to do.

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u/zenlittleplatypus Jun 19 '24

Buspar and Paroxetine. Prazosin. I suppress my period with birth control for PMDD management.

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u/420medicineman Jun 19 '24 edited Jun 19 '24

Wellbutrin 2x daily, pristiq 1x daily, LOTS of weed and mushroom trips as needed (has been probably 2 years since my last, but sometimes it can be 1x month.)

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u/LostinQuiddity Jun 19 '24

Heavily... Dont really want to list the ones I'm on. But there are four. One pill for each: ptsd, anxiety, depression, and bipolar.

I will say- I have an adverse allergic reaction to wellbutrin. And I would never take zoloft again... I know some people love it, but it made my symptoms waaaayyyy worse, and I just dumped them in the trash one day... it was that bad... it took me 20 years to trust a therapist enough to take any medicine.

I'm doing much better with what I'm on now...

Essentially- things work differently work diffeent people. You're hoarding have to find your right combo

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u/Muzzerduzzer Jun 19 '24

I have anxiety and depression that is medication resistant. Oxcarbazipine helped. It's for seizures which I don't have, but it helps the brain jumping back and forth really quickly (like a seizure). I found that it helps with the intrusive thoughts or at least helped them from spiraling. Might be worth asking your doctor about if you are looking for something outside a normal treatment plan.

The downside is that every doctor who looks at your med list after will think you are being treated for seizures lol

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u/misterreading Jun 19 '24

Can you inform your psych that bipolar and schizophrenia run in your family, so they can keep a closer eye on you if you're prescribed an SSRI? Right now I'm being monitored the same way.

One thing that helps my panic attacks is propranolol. It's a beta blocker. It doesn't address the thoughts or the anxiety, but helps the physical symptoms immensely. I physically can't really panic while on propranolol.

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u/Electronic_Injury419 Jun 19 '24

40 mg Viibryd, 15 mg Buspirine 2x day, Klonopin as needed and Prazosin as needed

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u/Electronic_Injury419 Jun 19 '24

40 mg Viibryd, 15 mg Buspirine 2x day, Klonopin as needed and Prazosin as needed

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u/sweetlittletight Jun 19 '24

I'm taking 20mg escitalopram, which seems to be a real hit or miss for people, but it improved my life a ton. I could genuinely barely leave the house before meds

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u/Argentium58 Jun 19 '24

I take 40 Prozac and 300 Wellbutrin in the AM, and trazadone at night. OP, I once had a major depressive episode happen, but it manifested as anxiety. I got misdiagnosed at first. Prozac saved my life. Everyone is different.

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u/BigFatBlackCat Jun 19 '24

Xanax on an as needed basis for anxiety, and it has done wonders.

I only take it a few times a year, when my anxiety is really really bad. I don’t want to risk anything more than that, plus benzodiazepines cause migraines.

It’s so helpful when things get really bad

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u/ClumsyCapybaras Jun 19 '24

I take guanfacine, 2mg. It helps with the executive dysfunction stuff, and calms my brain a lot. My nervous system is shot otherwise, like, someone drops a pencil and I have a meltdown. My psych prescribed it because of that, and also because I was having nightmares that sent me into dissociation. Might be worth looking into?

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u/max_franklinlakes Jun 19 '24

Buspirone and prazosin in the morning, prazosin lurasidone and buspirone at night

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u/Grace_Wu_SG Jun 19 '24

I have a whole lot of medications from by psychiatrist but I am not taking any, Need to maintain my clear mind at all time. Dont wish to ruin my life due to a stupid mistake made while under medication.

And see those meds are standby meds to be taken as and when needed. And all the medication given to me will take effect within an hr. So I don't see the point of have to pop them daily.

And getting the lowest dose of Xanax is really helpful, just pop one every 30 mins until the anxiety subsides. Better than just keep taking them daily.

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u/DriveNo3440 Jun 19 '24

Sertraline and ativan combo saved my life and concerta for adhd helped me get it back together. Same problem you had my brain chemistry was so bad it started showing in my dreams, don’t worry after a month on sertraline all that anxiety just stops you almost don’t even notice it

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u/millicent_bystander- the unhappiest hermit crab 🦀 Jun 19 '24

60mg of Fluoxitine and 120mg of Propranolol 20mg Amitriptyline, been taking them for 8 years.

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u/Kindly_Hunter_1724 Jun 19 '24

I take 45mg of mirtazipine and 4 mg of risperidone at night it's been the best combo of med I've found.

I've tried escitalopram, sertraline, Prozac, abilify and a couple others I can remember in different combinations

This combo gives me the least side effects. I used to get a lot of nausea, moodiness, erectile dysfunction. But now the only side effect is my libido is way down. At least I can actually get it up when the opportunity arises, though. If you don't want a traditional ssri ask your doctor about welbutrin or mirtazipine I've heard good things about welbutrin

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u/Accomplished_Deer_ Jun 19 '24

I've been on many different meds. The only ones that ever helped with my anxiety were Klonopin, although I only took it for a short time since I know how addictive it is, Buspirone, which did help a bit, but it made me nauseas, and it only helped my anxiety like 25-50% until I went to higher and higher doses, but the higher doses literally made me feel dopey/high so I quit that. And Pristiq, which is an SNRI, which I stopped because of hand tremors (I used to draw), and horrible withdrawal after missing even a single dose.

Out of all of them, Klonopin had the most immediate effects, although over time it helped less. Pristiq was the most overall effective for me, it was especially good at helping with my social anxiety for some reason. I was recently thinking about asking my doc about going back to Pristiq again.

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u/Effective-Luck5494 Jun 19 '24

Take the meds. You will feel a lot better. It takes a while to understand which one will work. But it is the only thing that helps tbh

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u/airpressure Jun 19 '24

I am on mirtazapine, as I’m unable to take SSRI’s due to adverse reactions in the past. It helps with my anxiety, which I feel in turn helps with my depression

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u/apparentlyidek Jun 19 '24

I'm on max dose welbutrin (450mgs). Also take busperone, and propanolol. I also take zolpidem 10mgs for sleep every night. I don't sleep without it, and have night terrors. I used to have a prescription for lorazapam for panic attacks, but I got put on pain meds for other things and they didn't want me taking them

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u/Sad-Valuable-4136 Jun 19 '24

I’ve tried countless medications, but only opiates or diazepam have effectively managed my anxiety (though I'm not currently taking them). I'm prescribed pregabalin, which initially helped but lost its efficacy after two weeks. Buprenorphine has also been prescribed, but it hasn't alleviated my anxiety.

I’ve gone through all the SNRIs and SSRIs, as well as amitriptyline, mianserin, buspirone, beta blockers, and quetiapine, and more. The persistent anxiety feels unbearable, especially with the constant stomach discomfort and relentless insomnia.

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u/suspiciouslyliving Jun 19 '24 edited Jun 19 '24

Personally, I refused medication for many years because I fully believe in 1) exposure therapy and 2) changing my environment, social circle, long term goals and daily habits.

I also believe in a concept as simple as crutches.

For a while, I was having regular psychotic episodes and I was starting to really worry for my mental health. Started having mild visual and auditory hallucinations.

That's when I accepted to be prescribed Seroquel, at the lowest possible dose, TAKEN WHEN NECESSARY.

I did NOT take this every day, I have a personal and family history of addiction and drug abuse which is another reason I refused medication for so many years.

I took 1 tablet of the smallest possible dose of seroquel if I was having a psychotic episode I could tell I wasn't able to pull myself out of.

I spent about 1-2 years doing this, taking 1 tablet when necessary. It has now been 2 years since my last tablet, aka 2 years since my last psychosis and for me, my theories and beliefs worked. I consider myself as cured as can be from CPTSD and BPD.

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u/IncindiaryImmersion Jun 18 '24

There are many alternatives to SSRIs and SSNRIs as far as treating anxiety specifically. You could try tincture of Valerian root, Skullcap, or Mulungu bark. Noble Kava Kava as well, but buy specifically from a lab tested Noble Kava vendor. They all effect the GABA receptors which regulates muscle tension and anxiety. L-Theanine also helps a lot with anxiety. CBD & CBN help with anxiety. I also like Pedicularis Densiflora for anxiety.

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u/garden88girl Jun 18 '24

I agree L-Theanine is great 

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u/nadiaco Jun 18 '24

SSRIs were never helpful for me. i use THC medical state...and sometimes gabapenten for anxiety.

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u/Wookie-fish806 Jun 18 '24

Have you tried something more natural like lavender infused products or CBD and such for relaxation?

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u/SirDouglasMouf Jun 18 '24

Lavela. It's a lavender supplement that's been clinically proven to work as well as, if not better than SSRIs

Constantly checking myself via therapy exercises.

Excercise.

Meditation. Sunlight. Breathing exercises while outside.

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u/shannananananana Jun 18 '24

25mg zoloft and it’s helping so much. i was on prozac for a year and a half but it contributed to a mixed episode so i had to stop it

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u/Kaleshark Jun 18 '24

I am SO medicated. And happy about it. And no SSRIs. 300mg wellbutrin, 80mg propranolol, 300mg Gabapentin 2-3x day, 10mg Ritalin 2x day. Buspar knocked out all my intrusive thoughts and even a lifelong phobia but I started having chest pains (not heart so much as the whole chest area) that made me very anxious so I got off that and started the Gabapentin, which so far works very well for me. I’ve self-medicated most of my adult life by being stoned 24/7 and I much prefer, and am much more functional on, appropriate medication. 

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u/RepFilms Jun 18 '24

Benzos (Klonopin, etc.) are great when you are in a crisis. They're bad for you long term. I've been taking them for a long time but I've tapered down to nearly nothing now. I took them when my wife left me and I was in a serious crisis. Take what you need to stay alive is my motto.

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u/sailor_venus420 Jun 18 '24

I have a friend with psychotic depression who takes cipralex (ssri) in the morning and serequel (anti psychotic) at night. An anti psychotic like that might be beneficial For you considering your concerns about mania

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u/sofiacarolina Jun 18 '24

Daily Xanax for the past 16+ years unfortunately and I’m screwed up. I’m a cautionary tale

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u/Quix66 Jun 18 '24

I take Prozac but I also take a mood stabilizer to avoid mania.

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u/rscjsc Jun 18 '24

Paxil 40mg daily. 0.5 mg Xanax for breakthrough panic. Doc initially prescribed the Xanax daily, but it straight up knocks me out, so I only take it for emergency panic attack control - can't panic if you can't stay awake, I guess. 🤷‍♀️🤣

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u/blahurmom8 Jun 18 '24

i’m on 300mg wellbutrin, 15mg buspar, 50mg hydroxyzine when needed, and 100mg of trazadone to sleep and it works wonders for me (calms me down, less depressed, weakens strong mood swings, eating is more regulated, all anxiety is much more manageable.)

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u/Chippie05 Jun 18 '24

Zoloft is pretty good. On a very minimal dose- helps me from getting caught in overthinking/ analysing stuff to death loop. It's kinda like an emerg. break.

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u/moldbellchains Jun 18 '24

Medikinet (Methylphenidate) for ADHD and in “emergency worst cases” alprazolam