Anxiety & Depression... Does medication help?

Question

I just started taking the BC pill called Yaz... I have been on and off of anti- anxiety/depression medication since about age 16. In my mind I keep thinking that it is something that will just go away (the anxiety and depression that is) but it isn't going anywhere. I am constantly worrying and feeling like I'll have panic attacks over the smallest things. I just want to live normally and have an open mind. I feel very blah, and like my life is hazy all the time. Can medication help me? Therapy maybe? I don't know, I am just so sick of living like this and I'm sick of my fiance making comments about how I seem depressed all the time. We have a 3 month old baby that makes me so happy but I can't enjoy it because of this problem. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

I'm glad to see you questioning your situation with objective awareness, which indicates that you have a good chance to recover with competent treatment. Many people want to be able to just  "take a pill and get my life back". There are no such magic bullets. Pills can sometimes make it possible for a person to learn how to manage the condition on his own, but the patient has to take control if he is to be cured.

You can use psychotherapy to explore the sources of your anxiety and to help you recognize patterns that you can change to make yourself better. Usually the fastest recoveries occur with group therapy of persons suffering similar conditions. Many women suffer temporary post-partum depression, which in your case may be aggravating your panic anxiety.

Understand that panic attacks are usually short in duration and not fatal; they are not to be feared, but faced and managed. When you learn to do that, and change your circumstances that trigger them, they will usually become insignificant. Sure, I still get an anxious feeling when I see my bank balance get close to zero at the end of the month, but then I get to thinking what can I do to manage it constructively, and it goes away. If instead I were to go out shopping on credit to try to make myself feel better, I would obviously just be digging a bigger hole for myself. The solution is in making the constructive choice and following through on the action. So find yourself a community support group to help you get it sorted out.

Remember that nobody can find a life for yourself except you. So you do need to explore what it is that you need for your life to have purpose and direction. Once you define that and begin to pursue it, outside resources can help you but can't do it for you. One book I could recommend along those lines is Steven Covey's the Seven Habits of Highly Successful People.

Answer 2

that but coping skills are the real key to gettingbetter

Answer 3

I was on an SSRI anti-depressant for my anxiety aswell as Lorazepam for my anxiety attacks.

I hated the medications, so I stopped taking them and choose to see a psychologist.

I went to see someone who specialized in Anxiety / Panic disorders who worked in a clinic devoted to that issue specifically.

I really don't like medication, it's just a bandaid fix for a larger problem.

Perhaps medication isn't the best route for you, and you may consider going off them. Find a therapist to help you, who specializes in what you are dealing with, meet at least once a week.

Answer 4

That's a tough question to answer since it really depends.  Every case is different.  It's impossible to know whether or not meds will work for your anxiety and depression unless you try them.  

If its the med themselves that scare you - learn the facts and decide for yourself.  The free course from the link below helped me understand and cope.  You can learn alot and its Free.  :)  

Answer 5

I have been there & I'm still working on some of my issues. I used to take medication for anxiety but haven't really found something that works right for me. I haven't been taking medication since I got pregnant & had my baby who is 11 months now. I may try other medication when I'm done breast feeding, but I don't want it to be a crutch. Therapy definitely helps. But sometimes it takes time to find somebody you feel comfortable talking to. I finally found a therapist I really like. He's down to earth & really easy to talk to. He has a little office in his home. Another thing that would probably help you is a lifestyle change. I made a list of goals to start changing my lifestyle. I figure rather than focusing on my anxiety, I should improve the way I think & do things, try to face my problems & the things that cause my anxiety & then hopefully the rest will follow. One of my goals is to start exercising. I still have to push myself with this one but I think it will make a big change in my outlook on life. Check out these links about exercise & the brain: (or do a google search for exercise & chemicals released in the brain, or excerise & anxiety & depression) http://badgerherald.com/news/2003/11/13/...

http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/biology/b10...

I really hope this helps. If you think it would help to know more about my experience you can email me. :)

Answer 6

your brain is not making the correct chemicals so you must supplement it with medicine!  

Answer 7

Depression and anxiety isn't just going to go away. Take it from someone who has had it since I was 12. I am now 24. Paxil as been my god send. Only a doctor can tell you what can help you.