Medication for anxiety?

[anxietyisawful]

Hi

ive had awful anxiety for a long time. I’ve paid privately for years and years of different kinds of therapy and everything recommended and nothing has ever really helped much. I’ve been in denial about needing anti anxiety medication for a long time, I honestly don’t know why because there’s absolutely nothing wrong with taking it, but for some reason I’ve been really reluctant to try it. But I’m absolutely exhausted and think it would be worth trying now.

but for reasons I’d rather keep anonymous if possible, I’d rather not go through my NHS gp

the only other thing worth mentioning is I am unable to take beta blockers because of a different health condition so can’t try things like propranolol etc

is it possible to pay privately via a private doctor to try anti anxiety medications? How would I even go about finding a doctor for it? Or can pharmacies prescribe it? Would just really rather not go via my nhs doctor if possible

thank you in advance for any help. And if anyone has any experience of trying medication for anxiety I would be really grateful to hear your experience with it. X

Prozac - literally changed my life ❤️

Also recommend Prozac. Life changing.

SSRI Medicines have a good evidence base for depression and anxiety. Sometimes it is a case of trial and error until you find one that works. Fluoxetine (prozac) did nothing for me. I am on Sertraline 50mg for anxiety and it really helps dampen things down. Citalopram also god for anxiety apparently. I am less reactive to stressful stimulus and mood is more stable, things seem less chatostrophic. I have also done CBT and counselling which all helped too.

I wouldn't worry about not being able to take beta blockers, I personally think they shouldn't be offered as first line anxiety meds. They work by reducing the ill effects of stress and adrenaline (keep heart from racing etc) but don't actually address the problems and make a lot of people feel sluggish.

Not sure how to advise regarding GP as my medicines have always been through NHS but paid for talking therapies privately.

Seems odd that you’d rather pay than just see an NHS GP.

other than that, I hear sertraline is good for anxiety.

I am on cymbalta and has stopped panic attacks and severe anxiety. wish had gone on it years ago but do not think will come off it as heard it is one of the worst to come off. The first few weeks you will get brain zaps and feel a bit weird on it but it does work and stops ocd also and muscular pains. Life changing for me also. Hope you find something that works for you.

I think it’s advisable to do this through your GP, as if you need any other medication now or in the future, there’s a fully joined up record of what you’re taking. This is important because some drugs interact.

GPs seem much more clued up about mental health than they used to be. If you don’t feel able to talk to one that you usually see, could you try another in the practice? Or is it that you don’t want anxiety in your NHS record?

SSRIs don’t actually address the issues though either? The psychological and physical symptoms of anxiety go hand in hand so beta blockers can be just as effective or more so for some people.

OP - probably sertraline has the best evidence base for efficacy. Unsure why you can’t go for NHS GP but a private GP could prescribe. They might also be more willing to give you a short supply of diazepam to take while starting sertraline as you can get paradoxically worse anxiety on initiation.

You can see a private GP and get a prescription. You don't have to share any details of your NHS GP. Most standard first line treatments (eg sertraline) are pretty much the same price with a private prescription as with an NHS prescription (this doesn't apply to some of the newer drugs). I also see a private psychiatrist which is expensive but they have more options for medication (eg in combinations or off label use).

There isn't really any such thing as anti-anxiety medication, antidepressants are sometimes prescribed for anxiety. I was prescribed antidepressants for anxiety attacks about 15 years ago. I was given sertraline, and the anxiety went off the scale, the side effects were awful. I persevered for about 6 weeks, but had to stop them (it was probably the worst 6 weeks of my life).
I did CBT instead, and took the facing the fear approach (ERP). The 'cure' comes not from the therapy, the cure comes from practicing what you learn in therapy, and that practice is very hard work. It was probably a good year or two before my outlook had completely changed, and the reframed approach became subconscious habit. I'm glad I did it the therapy way though, with that option I didn't ever need to fear anxiety 'suddenly' reappearing.

Good luck in whatever you decide.