Anxiety - best medication

[Despairsometimes123]

I suffer from anxiety in many ways. Overthinking, difficulty making decisions, over checking things,, lack of confidence stopping me look for a new job, etc
I just wondered what might be the best medication for me? My dr isn’t much use and just said it’s trial and error but from reading it seems some meds are better for anxiety than others.
Thanks in advance for any replies.

Anyone??

Propranolol and citralopram for me. My anxiety is a nightmare, when I do take both medications together it does help. Also google the breathing exercise 4-7-8

I think your GP is right, there isn’t one drug that suits everyone so you do need to just try one and see how it goes. My suggestion would be same as PP.

Good luck

Understanding what is causing you to be anxious (negative core beliefs, cognitive distortions, negative automatic thoughts) plus learning how to relax your breathing and progressive muscle relaxation. Drugs can mask the symptoms but can't relieve the causes.

I take sertraline and have done for a number of years. I also have propanol just in case. I'm not sure it works anymore but I don't know what I'd be like without it 🤷🏼‍♀️

I have sertraline 200mg and propanalol slow release half beta profane 80g it seems to be working ok

Progane not profane

Magnesium
Mindlefulness.
Yoga.
Daylight/ fresh air/green spaces
Adequate sleep.
Not too much caffeine.
Good diet.?

I was taking citalopram for eight years and now currently starting sertraline x

@KAP232

Can I ask what made you change meds? Xx

Thanks for all the comments so far. I tried counselling a while ago but it was pretty useless- all depends on getting the right counsellor I suppose.

Your doctor is right that it's trial and error. I take propranolol and mirtazapine for a combination of anxiety/depression and migraines.
I'm also on my 5th lot of counselling. This is the first time I've really "clicked" with the person doing it.

Maybe I should try the counselling again but not sure it’ll be happening atm

I developed severe anxiety after a head injury and I'm on escitalopram. It's closely related to citalopram but with fewer side effects. I also take trazodone, which helps with depression and PTSD as well as anxiety.

If you can get evaluated by a psychiatrist that might help. They know all the drugs, interactions, etc. They can also do mental and physical testing to help determine root causes. I go to my psych every 3 months. I'm in the US so my healthcare is private, though. The NHS might be different.

Please don't let anyone tell you that medications don't help. If your brain chemistry is unbalanced they absolutely do. Mental illness can be a difficult and debilitating as any physical illness and requires expert care. Good luck!

Hi I have anxiety. I usually manage it with exercise, CBT and mindfulness but there are times when I vomit and feel very afraid and my heart skips a beat when my work phone goes. Unless your ability to function has completely broken down (when medication will be the best way back) try to access Primary Care Therapy, it's worth giving CBT a go, but you need to keep at it, it's a way of coping with it, not a cure. Counselling isn't really helpful for anxiety, you need to be examining and challenging your core beliefs that drive the thoughts. Good luck getting through this.

@Shineonyoucrazy

Hi I have anxiety. I usually manage it with exercise, CBT and mindfulness but there are times when I vomit and feel very afraid and my heart skips a beat when my work phone goes. Unless your ability to function has completely broken down (when medication will be the best way back) try to access Primary Care Therapy, it's worth giving CBT a go, but you need to keep at it, it's a way of coping with it, not a cure. Counselling isn't really helpful for anxiety, you need to be examining and challenging your core beliefs that drive the thoughts. Good luck getting through this.

Really shitty to suggest people should manage without medication just because you can. If people get to the stage function has completely broken down it is a lot harder to get back to functioning than if they never got that bad in the first place.

OP your Dr is right, it really is trial and error. Sometimes the first thing you try works wonders, sometimes it might take a trial of 2 or 3 meds before finding one that suits you. I hope things improve for you soon

Thanks much for the replies. I’ve tried Citalopram and escitalopram. From what I’ve read escitalopram & sertraline are supposed to best anxiety. Years ago I took seroxat but I put on 3 stone and it was hell to stop. It did help with the anxiety though. I’d never want to take it again due to the weight and withdrawal issues. Thankfully the weight just came off as I stopped taking it.

Anyone else had any experience with SSRIs for anxiety?

I've tried citalopram and sertraline for my anxiety and both sent me suicidal which I have never ever been before and started off my panic attacks which again I've never had before so the doc wont prescribe me another SSRI he wants me to try mirtazapine which I've had in my handbag for 2 weeks but not yet started as scared of the side effects again