What medication actually works for anxiety?

[Wenchelda]

I've posted a couple of times in the past about my anxiety - I may even have asked this exact question but in my current state of fear, I can't think how to look for my previous threads so hope it's ok to post again.

I have suffered anxiety for over 4 years, mainly centred around my health and, in particular, a huge fear of cancer. I've had over 12 months of CBT, which helped at the time and I've mostly been able to keep on top of it but recently feel like I've been struggling again.

Twice during major anxiety attacks, my GP has prescribed me diazepam but I've been too scared to take it and never collected the prescriptions. (Not quite sure why I feel scared to take them. If I was prescribed medication for a physical illness, I would more than likely have it without question but this feels different somehow)

Anyway I don't want to keep having these horrible attacks and suffer the overwhelming fear for days at a time. I'm sure I've read about people taking low levels of something just to keep on top of it and prevent the anxiety taking over. I think I might ask my gp for something but would like to go prepared with a bit of knowledge about what options there are and what might be best.

So that's my very long winded way of asking if anyone takes anything for anxiety and if you would recommend it.

Trying to distract myself from my current panic by focusing on this instead. Sorry it's so long. Thanks for reading if you got this far.

Not read the thread but citalopram works for me.

Duloxetine for me-absolute life changer.

I too have found low dose HRT amazing for the anxiety.

paddy you don’t have to take it. It makes no odds to me what you think. Shame you can’t be more open minded though.

@user1495135003 thanks for that link - I started listening to it this morning ... didn't get very far as had to sort the kids for school but I liked the sound of it so will make time to listen to it properly later.

The last couple of days I've felt a bit better throughout the day and going to bed but then I wake up feeling panicky again. And then the vicious circle of anxiety causing physical pain / worrying the pains are a symptom of something terrible starts again. Doesn't help that I've got to wait until Xmas eve to see the Doctor so she can (hopefully) confirm the symptoms are just the anxiety and put my mind at rest it isn't something else. But then the "what if....?" Starts again. Maybe the symptoms aren't anxiety and what if there is something else bad happening. It certainly feels like I have badness inside me that is spreading around my body.

I'm so exhausted from trying to cope with this

@SandraTheBee

It’s not about being open-minded. It’s about hard evidence. If it’s clinically proven to work, then great! I’ll be all for it.

My DS 19 hasn't been able to leave the house for a year due to anxiety. He's been on citalopram, sertraline and now venlafaxine. I believe venlafaxine has been the best for him. He has ASD and is much younger than his age emotionally although although no LDs. I'm so tempted to try low dose benzos and, quite frankly, a bong of weed. If it was me I'd do it but I can't possibly make that decision for essentially a child in a man's body. What the fuck would i say to explain it to SS disability team. Who are shit.

thigh instead of a bong maybe try cbd oil? Not Holland & Barret, it's too weak, look online. Simply CBD are one of the cheapest.

menopause my eldest son does smoke weed he's nearly 30, up to him. He feels it has a lot to offer. He feels that a high strength CBD oil with all the psychoactives taken out would be beneficial. But then i have a medical friend who says mental wards are full of people who have become very ill due to high strength weed etc. I know it's not the same thing weed/cbd oil just thinking aloud.

Hello there, I take the antidepressant sertraline for anxiety and honestly, it's been a game changer. Apart from some initial nausea and hot flushes which have now settled down I have got on very well with it. My mind and outlook on life are so much improved. Definitely worth a chat to your gp about. Good luck op x

Thigh, the CBD oil obviously doesn't contain the psychoactive element that weed does - it's this that makes it more harmful than good which is why CBD oil is a better option to try.
They also say that you should start low with CBD oil. It doesn't matter how severe the anxiety is, it's always best to start low and work up to a dose that's therapeutic. Apparently too large a dose too soon can trigger more anxiety and other problems.
Please don't go near benzos as they are really only good for short term use ie after days. I had them briefly and they actually made my anxiety worse rather than settling me so some people can't tolerate them.
Most GPs won't prescribe them now and sadly alot of people are getting them elsewhere which can be so dangerous.
Someone further up this thread gave a link to a Facebook group on CBD which is very good and there is alot of information there to look at.

Remember that if you feel you need urgent help at any point you can go to A&E - no need to wait until December. They won't substitute a conversation with GP about longer term treatment but they may be able to reassure you if you fear you have something life threatening that requires immediate checking (like a heart attack).

Holland an Barratt oil is stronger than simply gold, simply light and is about the same strength as simply green. Simply cbd line isn't great tbh.

Cbd brothers are far better ime.

Possibly a stupid question but what exactly do you do with cbd oil?

You put it under your tongue then swallow.

You take it orally. It's a food supplement.

Ah ok. Like I currently do with Rescue Remedy (though I'm not sure that has any effect)

sort of, except it's not an 'as when when thing' lie rescue remedy. It takes a little while to build up in your system. I felt almost immediate relief, for others it takes longer.
It is important to note that for anxiety a lower strength cbd oil is better. You literally start off with one drop three times a day.
Please don't listen to anyone saying you need a strong oil, that could be a disaster.

And I can just buy it in Holland and Barrett or somewhere?

I am wary - Obviously I'd never heard of it before this thread but a quick google tells me it's a derivative of cannabis.... I work in a safety related job with zero tolerance on drugs & alcohol. We have random testing for it. Does anyone know if cbd oil would show up on such a test?

There is next to no thc. It is not psychoactive andcyes you can buy it in h&B. Try and wait until it is half price. Go for the weakest oil and take it slowly. Too much too soon can make anxiety much worse.
There are good Facebook groups. Simply cbd push their own oils so iceluldn’r Recommend them.
Cbdvuser uk united is a very good unbiased group. You will be able to ask loads of questions.

Oh God. Please think very carefully before taking medical advice from Facebook groups. Go and talk to your GP about medication for anxiety. There are plenty which are clinically proven.

I’ve never seen any cbd groups give medical advice. Many people on those groups take medication alongside cbd. Many, with the support of their doctors, have weaned themselves off prescription drugs, with the help of cbd. No one ever says take cbd instead of going to a dr.

PLEASE talk to your GP about safe, licensed medications for mental health illnesses. PLEASE do not take "advice" about CBD oil from the internet.

Cannabis and Marijuana has been proven to cause mental health problems in people who use it. Is there any scientific evidence that CBD oil does not also cause these problems?

If you are really struggling then you need to see a Doctor or Mental Health professional.

Cbd oil is not psychoactive.

I've tried CBD for anxiety and it didn't help. I did find that it helped with headaches. I'm on propranolol 3 times a day and 20mg citalopram. It works really well for me. I was prescribed anti depressants for anxiety only.