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Anti anxiety meds after 10 years without ??

3 replies

SandAndFog1990 · 06/04/2025 10:19

I was on ssri’s throughout my twenties for various reasons.

Once i knew I wanted to try for a baby I started slowly coming off them which I found incredibly difficult.
I had a really hard time with it. in time I found I was ok without, with mild anxiety and ocd in the background.
I did a lot of work on myself…and I’ve been nearly off them for about 10 years.

I’m now in the position that for the last year I’ve been wondering and debating with myself about going back on them. It may be ocd thinking but with it being so hard to come off them before I feel like if I went back on it would be a case of just staying on a low dose indefinitely… which I am ok with I think :/ but does sound a big commitment.

ive had a lot of stress the past few years and I feel I have coped well without them with daily life. But part of me wonders if I’d be better with!
If I’m stressed my sleep becomes really bad and I can be in bed crying during the night worrying about all sorts. Hubby is then woken up🤯. It’s not good.
In the time I was on them I don’t remember having issues with sleep at all. Slept like a log.

I’ve had issues with anxiety and ocd sleep issues since a child. I just didn’t know what it was.

Im also really worried about the first few weeks on them as I remember last time I didn’t sleep or eat what I feel like was a few weeks.

I feel like if I could guarantee a good sleep every night I’d probably be ok, but Dr will only prescribe sleep anti histamine for a few weeks and thinks it’s worth trying the ssri again.

I think a lot of the worry is about how awful the withdrawal was before and it’s not as simple as just stopping other meds as they do build up in your system.

I’m so conflicted about this and just wonder if other have been in the same position?

Thanks 🙏

OP posts:
SandAndFog1990 · 06/04/2025 13:01

Thank you… unfortunately valerian gives me night terrors! :(

OP posts:
Pillarsofsalt · 06/04/2025 13:04

If you need them you need them. If taking them causes you more anxiety then counselling may help, with or without the meds. What does your husband think?

Catsservant · 06/04/2025 13:17

My anxiety is awful at the moment which I’m taking buspirone for. It really helps maybe worth asking your gp for.

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