Would you ever take anti anxiety medication?

[DespondentFishdeathMasochismo]

I hate the word "meds". It's like a cute pet name for something that's not cute at all. I remember when I used to go to summer camp, when my parents had me on add medication or whatever, they would be like "okay everyone come and take your meds" I just felt 'fuck you' for making it sound like it's just happy little "meds". It's embarrassing, I never wanted anyone to know that I was taking them, but they would just make it out to be no big deal. This is a long time ago though, I haven't taken any medication or gone to summer camp in ages. It's just something that has always sort of bothered me.

[The Valkyrie]

It's just a word.

In my profession it's one of many abbreviations we use.

[c172]

I think "meds" sounds less intimidating. I take meds for my bladder and for my hypertension. Other friends of mine have taken anti-rejection meds. "Meds" make things work. They make you function. Life or death for some people. "Medication" almost sounds negative, like something that is changing you, especially if you don't necessarily want changed.

[brewer]

As with other psychoactive medications, anti anxiety medications are not a "magic bullet", (i.e. pop a pill and all is fixed). The anxiety issue(s) should also be addressed through a non pharmaceutical method also.

[Jackalope]

As with other psychoactive medications, anti anxiety medications are not a "magic bullet", (i.e. pop a pill and all is fixed). The anxiety issue(s) should also be addressed through a non pharmaceutical method also.

This is absolutely true. Specifically with regard to anxiety, the pills can help you manage symptoms in the short term, while you learn skills and how to manage anxiety. You don't really want to use them as a long-term solution because they can be fairly impairing and trading anxiety for benzodiazepine addiction is a pretty shitty trade.

[Cyberman]

The point of any such medication should be to make the symptoms bearable so as to make addressing the core of the issues easier. As it was described to me, it's like having a plaster cast on your leg to support it while the bones mend.

[Athene]

Fortunately, there are several effective non-benzodiazepine options available these days. Anti-depressants are successfully used to to manage generalized anxiety, as well as certain antihistamines. However, anti-depressants typically require a gradual decrease in dosage before stopping, once it's been determined that the med is no longer needed.

[Clueless Morgan]

If I had anxiety that could be adequately managed with medication, yes I would take it.

[vorlon13]

I've had a few anxiety attacks over the years, last was probably 4 or 5 years ago. I don't take anything for it. They were rather more frequent before I gave up drinking and drugging.

I was on anti-depressants for a couple of years in the early 90s. It was mostly from Brian with a heaping side order many other HIV fatalities. It's why I don't volunteer in the AIDS Buddy program anymore. Although with the anti-viral cocktails they have now, it probably wouldn't be the CF it was back then.

[robvalue]

I'm sorry to hear what you are going through I know all too well what it is like, so I'll share my experiences.

I have had crippling anxiety in the past. I had it so bad I couldn't even open my post. I was getting professional help, and was also prescribed some medication. They told me to only take it when I really needed to, because it was very powerful stuff and can easily become addictive.

I took it a few times when the anxiety was absolutely unbearable, and it definitely helped a lot. I took their advice and resisted taking any more than absolutely necessary, and I found that just knowing the tablets were there for an emergency was comforting and helped me cope.

After lots of counselling and therapy, I managed to get through the worst of my anxiety and eventually I was able to cope again.