medication for sa/sp?

[lonelyheart]

any of you on any medication to help you deal with social phobia/anxiety?
how are you finding it?

[Kitten]

No, but I'd like to know too. =) I hear Paxil is great for anxiety, but not so sure about social anxiety. I hear it has bad side effects--weight gain, upset stomach, nausea, fatigue, and, ironically, "excitement or anxiety".

My bf's mom is on it, she's all over the place without her meds. On the rare occasions when she forgets to take it, she can barely string two coherent thoughts together. She has more of a generalized anxiety disorder than social, and codependency. I've talked to her with and without having taken her medication, and it's a big difference. Much better on the Paxil.
Hope that helps!!

[spiritualk2]

I recently started taking lexapro for anxiety, it seems to help some, but it makes me so drowsy most of the time. I hope the side effects improve soon.

I'm a female in my 30's and would love to hear from anyone on meds for anxiety/depression. email me at [e-mail]

[NewOrleansLady]

I've always been afraid to take any sort of medication. I tell myself that my social anxiety is not as bad as others, but I'm not fooling anybody. I think I'd like to give medication a try, but I don't have insurance and have no clue how to go about getting subsidized help.

Do they all have side effects? Do they all require you to take them for the rest of your life? How do they make you change/feel after taking them?

[ShyOne]

do not take meds, either they will give you premanent side effects or make you become addicted to it(mean you won't feel any better without them). And meds nowadays have SO MANY SIDE-EFFECTS THAT SOME ISN'T EVEN LISTED ON THE PRODUCT DESCRIPTION.

[NewOrleansLady]

Thanks, Shy. You talked me out of it in that one post ;D

[Schmoo]

Recently, I was diagnosed with hypertension and was prescribed a beta-blocker (Atenolol). When I started taking it, I noticed almost from day one, that I was feeling a lot calmer (including social situations). Then I researched the drug on the net and discovered that it's also used for anxiety! So, now I'm thinking of getting additional anxiety meds since they seem to help me.

[wheelswithinwheels]

I've taken both Zoloft and Prozac, and neither had any effect on me whatsoever, positive or negative.

My therapist just told me she thinks I ought to try Paxil. I don't want to put all my faith into medications and think that they'll cure me, but if someone I trust as much as my therapist thinks it might help, I have no problem.

[Schmoo]

Wheels, therapists are very reluctant to prescribe anti-anxiety meds, the ones that actually treat anxiety? It's because most of them (benzos) have addictive qualities and they're afraid. Doctors, etc. are notorious for underprescribing and I was a victim of this but didn't know it at the time.

I was prescribed 4-5 different anti-depressants and they didn't do diddly squat (except make me sick), so I gave up on meds and psychiatry a coule of years ago. I remember asking one if I could try an anti-anxiety med but she refused. She probably didn't take me seriously.

I'm NOT saying that anti-depressant won't work, often it's a process of trial-and-error, but you know yourself best. If anxiety is your biggest problem, then I'd reiterate your symptoms and issues with your therapist. Sometimes they'll prescribe benzos for "emergency" situations (e.g., if you have a presentation to give)

[cwosho2k4]

have never tried any medication for it. I dont think pills are the proper way to cure this menace. Only u yoruself can cure it.

[chick4christ00]

I thought I just had to get the word out.

I have seen SO many countless articles describing how we should use our strength to beat social anxiety, that people can become dependent on these . I just have to tell you guys this. I am on Effexor XR. It has completely changed my life. I used to literally have a panic attack every single time I was in a social situation, and now I never have them. The medication I am on is not habit-forming (addicting), it is one of the few that is not. Also, the side effects are almost non existent in my case and the benefits GREATLY hugely outweigh the bad parts. The only side effect I have experienced is drowsiness.

This medicine corrected my chemical imbalances and I am now shy but no longer have awful social anxiety. I also found myself enjoying more things on this medication, becoming more outgoing, and panic attacks were actually eliminated. I am by no means saying this is a "miracle" pill, but it is a medication that gives real results if prescribed for the right person on it at the right time.

[Orionation]

im currently trying to decide whether or not to get into medications or not. Ive heard plenty of stories from both sides. Ive heard people say they do nothing but mess with your head or get you addicted and make you sick.. and then ive heard many like the previous post. Ive never taken any medication for mood disorders or anxiety before.. so i dont know what it will be like.. but i very rarely ever have any side affects other than drowsyness (im always tired anyway though) from medications.. but then again it usually takes a while for medicine to work on me anyway.

Are all these medications only doctor perscribed?

[ShynessSucks1]

yeah im taken medication.I can't remeber what it's called it helps me be more sociable even though i'm steal quiet.Like i get sweety palms,i don't talk to people like i do my best friends or the ppl i can trust