Considering anti-anxiety medication - any advice?

[legolammb]

I've always suffered from low-level anxiety and worrying too much about routine things such as work, even when nothing was really 'wrong'. My anxiety has hugely increased as I'm currently facing an extremely upsetting family situation - the most challenging thing I've ever had to face, and something that is likely to continue for some time. I'm struggling to switch off from worrying and get on with things, e.g. I'm sitting at my desk at work and can't concentrate on work as I'm worrying about family. Random things on tv or bad stories in the news will remind me of the problem and make me convinced my relative will end up in that situation and that sets off a chain of worrying. I'm exhausted all the time. I'm having CBT but unlike when I had a short course of sessions a few years ago for work-related anxiety, I'm struggling to take it in.

I've considered medication in the past, but have been too nervous and it's always sorted itself out so I haven't taken anything. I'm wondering though if medication could be helpful for my current situation. However, because of the anxiety I'm worried about side effects, medication making things worse, gaining weight (I'm already obese due to comfort eating), and loss of libido as that is already non-existent. Has anyone got on ok with medication and found it helpful? I am also having hormones tested as I don't think my PCOS helps my moods. I'm wondering if medication could actually help with libido and over-eating if I'm feeling a bit happier?

Is it the physical effects you want to quell or the racing thoughts? I find beta blockers work for the shaking and stomach ache and racing heart but they don't affect the thoughts that you are worrying about in the first place.

I want to clear the racing thoughts and be able to think about things more calmly and rationally. I also get migraines and IBS when stressed (always have, but worse currently with increased anxiety), and I'll sometimes get breathless and nauseous, so something for all those ideally!

Beta blockers like propranolol work like magic on the physical stuff. As for the thoughts, have you tried CBT? I know it seems to be a magic fix for everything lately but anxiety, it does help a lot with. It's all about learning to rationalise and stop obsessing over things.

I've struggled with anxiety for most of my life - like you, it is low level until an event triggers a severe response. I have used four different antidepressants (ADs that are effective for anxiety). For the last couple of years I've been taking effexor (forget what the UK name for it is) and it has not affected my weight - and I am menopausal! I was previously taking Zoloft (sertraline) and asked my doctor to switch because I thought it was making me gain weight. In retrospect I think it was just my new job that caused those few extra pounds. Every one will react differently, I think. Please look into medication - I can relate to how debilitating life can be with anxiety. My most recent trigger was a family situation too, and I stopped watching any form of news or programming that might remind me. Let us know how it goes, OP

I've found pregabalin has worked very well.

didyousee - I had a short course of CBT in the past - to help with low-level anxiety and for a specific situation with job nerves. I found it really useful at the time. I'm currently having CBT now but with the heightened anxiety I am struggling to rationalise things. I feel like medication could be a bit of a prop-up, maybe if I could get something to take the edge off the anxiety the CBT would be more effective

vikingwoman - thanks for the reassurance. Good to hear that you've found something that works for you

What could also happen is, once you make some progress with the anxiety, you may not resort to comfort eating as often. Do you do any exercise? Something as simple as walking can help take your mind off things. Perhaps listening to your favourite music or a podcast as you walk. Having a fit bit will give you encouragement and a goal. You will feel better and lose weight.

viking - I feel better when I exercise, but I feel so exhausted and unmotivated I can't get myself to exercise in the first place. At the weekend I go for long walks with DP but in the week when it's a case of me needing to get myself to the pool or go to a class I just can't do it.

I've been feeling a little better today (apart from waking up this morning with a racing heart after a bad nightmare relating to the family issue), and have started thinking 'well, maybe I'll be ok without medication.'

Does anyone else get dizziness with anxiety? Have you found medication helps?

Relora works well for me, it’s herbal and calms me within an hour or two.