Would you take an antidepressant for anxiety ?

[luluxxx]

For months now I have had anxiety towards eating and drinking in public
Worrying about choking etc
To a point I won’t eat outside of the house (except snacks like chocolate or crisps )
Anyway I go on holiday in 6 weeks
I Have been prescribed 25mg of sertraline
The GP has told me to start on half a tablet so 12.5mg then work up.
I have a event next Saturday
I don’t know whether to start tomorrow or next weekend when I have no plans but that’s only 4 weeks before my holidays.
I don’t have depression and my only anxiety is towards the eating and drinking In public.
Busy restaurants etc
I really want to enjoy my event next week but not sure if 4 weeks in my system will be enough to hopefully ease the anxiety of eating out (for holiday )

My daughter had a similar issue (to the point that it actually made her throw up). Her GP recommended Sertraline and she was on it for about 9 months. It did help, although didn’t stop it completely. She is off it now and will eat in public, but only small amounts. So would go for a starter rather than a main in a restaurant. Good luck

I think it helps take the edge off but it doesn't make the worries go away fully

You need CBT really, it will help you retrain your brain to think a different way.

It actually sounds like OCD is what you have, obsessive, intrusive thoughts,

I do too. I choked as a child and it has ruled my life. I am so anxious about my children eating without me, it's so ridiculous that if I happen to go out without my children, they are not allowed to eat anything while I'm out incase they choke 🙈

Yes- I have taken for anxiety and they worked well.

Yes - I take Citalopram for anxiety, no depression
it’s marvellous

Is a month long enough for it to begin working ?
I know it’s not going to be cured but would it be starting to help ?

Yes as ‘antidepressants’ treat anxiety as well as depression

Definitely look into accessing CBT sounds like you may benefit from it

Also maybe speak with GP to perhaps trial a beta blocker which people use for stressful situations to help calm them eg public speaking/presentations

I’ve tried propranolol in the past and it was helpful

Yes it should be working in a month.

I have taken Sertraline in the past and credit it with saving my life on two occasions. I think it works faster than people give it credit for. I also found it easy to taper off of.

If I felt I needed it now, I would try adding a lot more animal fat to my diet first though. I always feel mentally more calm and resilient when I eat a lot of saturated animal fat/oily fish.

I take escitalopram for anxiety and it changed my life. It took a lot longer than a month to kick in though.

Yes I would and I have, but you should start it now because it takes time to start working.

Why wouldn’t you start it now? Why do you feel the need to wait until after the event? Surely if you start now it could help you for that event too?

one of my friends takes 50mg sertraline for anxiety & then propanolol as needed.

I would start sooner rather than later as sometimes it can make you feel worse before better. It's a very small dose you have been prescribed so I wouldn't wait.

With regards to any medication, I would follow the advice of the medically-trained professional who I'd already consulted - rather than a bunch of randoms on the internet. Your GP has already advised you, OP, so just follow it!

Yes absolutely. I did so in the past. It was a game changer.

Probably needs to be a higher dose though, under the guidance of a dr obviously. 50mg- 200mg is the usual dosage. Yes start asap

@Tillow4everi have to drive there and back (3 hour drive each way ) and I read it can make you feel a bit crappy at first
I didn’t want to risk driving being tired or feeling spaced out etc

It has helped my anxiety I was having all sorts of symptoms. The initial period was hard as my body adjusted to it and I had many of the expected symptoms. I kept a journal and it took about 10 weeks till I felt better but everyone is different so don't let that put you off. My sister was on it and had no symptoms.

Hope it helps.