What medication can you take for nerves

[Miracle29]

I'm not sure if I've put this in the right thread so apologies if I haven't. I just want some advice on what people take for nerves and of it works. I've been suffering with nerves now for a few years and always thought it would go away. I never used to let anything bother me or make me nervous but I've noticed I'm nervous in alot of situations and don't know why. My main one is driving. To the point I haven't drove properly in ages and when I have I'm nervous before getting in the car, when I'm in the car. I panic when I make minor mistakes but sometimes have to pull over to breathe. I worry about people watching me drive, neighbours watching me park, getting beeped at, all sorts. It's really affecting me now. I really wanted to try something that might take the edge off. Is there such a thing? I've tried kalms to no avail. Ive also tried drops that ypu put on your tongue (unsure of what theyre called) Any tips/advice. I know the best thing to do is get in the car but I physically can't. I have so many opportunities and make excuses all the time.

its called anxiety i take citralopram from the doctors for it .Its something you talk to the doctor about see what they say

Propanolol helps with physical symptoms of anxiety

Propranolol worked brilliantly for me, it stops the panic response building. Have you been to your GP? I also had CBT, but the propranolol really helped before that started.

How old are you OP? This kind of anxiety could be linked to perimenopause.

I'm 34. I haven't seen a gp because I was hoping it would just go away on its own in time but sadly it hasn't. Everyone keeps telling me get in the car and drive and realistically I know that's what I need to do but my nerves just won't allow me to do that. I am quite an overthinker and do worry about things I probably don't need to. I really didn't want it come down to me taking medication but I just can't get rid of this feeling. My neighbour told me today she was moving so I automatically panicked about what neighbours we will have next. The thing is i know im overthinking and worrying at nothing most of the time but cant overcome it. The cars been outside for over a week and I've sat in it but that's it. I just want to be my old care free self and push any worry aside and get on with things but it's proving harder for me to do it alone. Alot of people do not get my driving nerves at all. I've explained how I feel and they either laugh and say it's strange, I shouldn't be driving at all or just get in it and drive. I get anxious before I drive, heart race, leg shakes. I have to talk to myself whilst driving much to the amusement of other drivers.

Propranolol works great. However that only treats the symptoms, so maybe you want to try something to treat the root cause at the same time so you don't depend on medication long term.

I took propranolol for a phobia and yes, it was great, but you cannot keep taking propranolol forever, so I started hypnotherapy and stopped the propanol (and also sertraline I was havingl). I have made improvements with the therapy. I am not there yet but I am in a better place with my phobia.

I'd say it is great that there are medicines out there that can help us but you need to find the root cause of your problems for a long term solution and that's never going to be a drug.

I agree with piscis. You can take things that mask the symptoms. There are quite a lot of things you can take. Chat with your GP about it. But long term, getting a hold of that mental chatter will benefit you far more. Therapy will enable you to do that.

Most of the time when we worry about things we don't actually do anything. 99% of the time the only activity that happens is fretting and worrying. Finding a way to channel all of that massive amount of energy and concentration into actually doing something concrete would be really beneficial to you OP and therapy can help you do that. You have an active and agile mind. Just consider all the thousands of permutations it goes through over something like looking in a rear view mirror. Just consider the power that would give you, properly harnessed.

Thankyou for all your kind messages and advice. I will now seek advice from the gp. I did consider hypnotherapy but it's so expensive. I need my freedom back. I feel awful that when it's raining I let my nerves get the better of me and walk to fetch my dd from school rather than using the car parked outside. I've put so many things off because of driving. I've booked appointments around the days my dp can take me rather than going myself. I've been driving 4 years now and only drove properly for 1 year. Then it dwindled to now and then, then only when I really need to, to walking greater distances in all weather's to avoid driving. Its madness and starting to really affect me.

Have a look at hypnotherapy again; it shouldn't be that expensive and a driving phobia is very easy to deal with in 3 sessions.

Evening. Have you tried maybe going for drives in the evening when there’s less cars around? Put on feel good music or maybe play an audiobook. You’re car is a big part of you’re freedom. Going places and doing things whenever you please. Don’t be hard on yourself you got this

Have you thought about taking more lessons with a qualified instructor. Just to be reassured you can drive well.
Or do you worry more about other drivers, traffic, following directions or getting lost?

If you also worry about what new neighbours are going to be like (to the extent that it affects you physically or changes your behaviour) you may have GAD - generalised anxiety disorder- and a visit to your GP would be best. Anxiety can really narrow your world down to the point you hardly go out so needs to be taken seriously.
Many antidepressants can take the edge off anxiety and allow people to live a full life again. CBT and meditation could help you find a more positive way forward without drugs. I still had panics on propranolol as the horrible thoughts still raced through my mind with no outlet.
There will be something to help you. Xx

I think it's more about what other drivers think, am I doing something wrong, afraid of getting lost. Obviously not driving for a while means I may need to refresh but it's something I can't afford right now and to be honest if I could get the nerves under control and just get the confidence to get in the car I think I'd be OK but my nerves stop me. I do always worry about what people think of me or what I'm doing. I'm just tired of being on edge and nervous. The rain was so bad the other day along with thunder, the car was outside and I still decided to walk the school run. I got worked up the other day wandering what neighbours we will have (we had horrendous neighbours years ago and I couldn't go through that again) lockdown definatly didn't help me. I struggle to speak to people. I manage to push it aside and may look confident on the outside but inside I'm full of nerves. I somewhat feel ashamed of myself, unconfident, and basically useless sometimes. People in my family have past their test and are off on adventures and taking their kids out and I sit and think I wish I could do it. It's so so hard explain my nerves just get the better of me all the time. If th3 nerves weren't there I think I could push myself to do these things or become more confident. I've attempted to ring the gp all week and put the phone down everytime because I'm scared of what they'll say, and sonewhat embarrassed by it. I've put up with this for years now and it clearly can't go on. It's dragging me down alot. I've promised myself I will ring the gp next week and get some help.